Can someone give me a quick education?

[Hisgirl]

My husband is a truck owner and ready to get a SUV instead.
He likes how the 4 runner drives (like a truck).

I'm the negotiator in our family. Today, we're going to see a model in person. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the trim levels on the 4 runner.

Please help a girl out!

Hubby has a bad back so I am steering to higher trims than the SR5. He hunts and goes off road so the off road premium caught my eye.

We're going to a dealer today to see a 2025 off road premium with 10K miles.
1. Should we consider a hybrid?
2. Is there really a difference in a SR5 vs off road premium to make the extra $$ worth it?
3. it appears prices hold steady but should we wait for 2027s to make appearance in hopes of 2025, 2026 price reductions?

Thank you so much!! I know these quesions are general, but we're in the middle of a family crisis and I haven't been able to do my normal research.

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[127.0.0.1]

what is an SR5 premium ?

 

[Hisgirl]

Well I made a mistake, sorry bout that!! So there isn't a premium in the 2025 or 26, ugh, see where my mind is, I'm overwhelmed by all the trims choices, haha.

 

[Darkchief22]

My husband is a truck owner and ready to get a SUV instead.
He likes how the 4 runner drives (like a truck).

I'm the negotiator in our family. Today, we're going to see a model in person. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the trim levels on the 4 runner.

Please help a girl out!

Hubby has a bad back so I am steering to higher trims than the SR5. He hunts and goes off road so the off road premium caught my eye.

We're going to a dealer today to see a 2025 off road premium with 10K miles.
1. Should we consider a hybrid?
2. Is there really a difference in a SR5 vs off road premium to make the extra $$ worth it?
3. it appears prices hold steady but should we wait for 2027s to make appearance in hopes of 2025, 2026 price reductions?

Thank you so much!! I know these quesions are general, but we're in the middle of a family crisis and I haven't been able to do my normal research.

Is your husband tall? I've had a few friends hop in a say they wish it had a little more head room.
1. Consider the hybrid if hes gonna be pulling trailers, the gas version is plenty capable. Just nice to have the extra under hood presence when needed. I went hybrid because my lifestyle on the gas version (in my mind) would strain the 4cyl turbo daily. Having the hybrid assist gives me peace of mind I can get 200,000 miles out of this vehicle
2. Mechanically, SR5 vs Off road , the locking rear differential ( ability to lock the rear wheels for added traction ) Tech wise , Crawl control and downhill assist aren't on the SR5.
3. The 2027s would make the 25 drop in price but im sure your not the only person doing the same thing. 25's will start disappearing
Also when considering the low trim vs high trim, Low trim will save money and you can add most of the high trim features at possibly less. Or get the high trim and have it all without modifying

 

[MikeD]

1. Should we consider a hybrid?
2. Is there really a difference in a SR5 vs off road premium to make the extra $$ worth it?
3. it appears prices hold steady but should we wait for 2027s to make appearance in hopes of 2025, 2026 price reductions?

1. Its a tradeoff: more power and torque (useful for challenging off-roading)/loss of cargo space & more $$. (not really significant MPG impact)
2. LOTS of feature differences between SR5 and ORP. Any 4Runner trim is capable off-road but TRD OR is MORE capable than SR5 or other trims (except PRO and Trailhunter). If $$ are not a big issue, you will probably appreciate the additional features and capability of the ORP. But big $$ difference.
3. no idea about price change projections.

 

[Tarekith]

The biggest issue with the hybrid is that you lose a good portion of the truck space on those models, might be an issue if he needs to haul a lot of hunting gear into the field. Extra torque would be nice, but the non-hybrid ORP is no slouch either when it comes to power.

4Runners are still in pretty high demand, so I wouldn’t expect much of a price drop on one when the 2027’s come out.

 

[Nodak]

all prices mentioned are going to be before discounts

1. generally gas more than enough for most daily use
2. hybrid is nice for extra power (mostly for getting a pulled loaded trailer/camper moving primarily)
3. hybrid has its niche use in off roading but for hunting trails gas is probably more than enough
4. if this is your first 4R, i would stick with gas and maybe later on after you used the gas, then you can decide if the hybrid is worth the extra cost
5. comfort wise and quality of life features, stay out of the SR5 trims, go with either of the premium trims (TRD Off Road or Sport)
6. since he goes hunting, the trim most likely suited is the TRD Off Road Premium
7. if price point is a major concern, you can get into a SR5 between 44-50k before discounts (you will have to find a decent dealer to get some decent % off MSRP), the TRD Off Road Prem is going to be around 55k and the Sport Premium is going to be around 56k
8. TRD Off Road is probably going to be better suited for hunting trails and some off roading, moreseo than the Sport trim which is geared more toward city duty than off roading
9. dont get the predator steps, they will get ripped off off roading pretty easily and attract dirt/mud pretty easily and it cakes on the leading edge of them badly
10. go with a basic running board or aftermarket boards, they work better for getting in/out for those with back issues
11. vehicle is great for 1-2 people, the 2nd row opeation is much to be desired, but for short stints its ok (dont get 3rd row unless you only have small kids for the long term, there is no room for adults or tall kids)
12. just be mindful of the back issue, this is a BoF suv so if they have issue with jarring rides at times, it could aggravate a bad back (depending on the severity) and depending on the person(s), the ride it not exactly smooth soft vs other vehicles. it has improved over the 5th gen 4Runner, but make no qualms its a truck based suv vs most others being uni-body with nicer riding suspensions
13. make sure you drive one and if you can over a weekend or extended period. i have seen some people love the idea of a 4Runner but then after a while, cant stand the vehicle because of this or that
14. personally i've had a 1997, 2004, 2014 and now a 2025. i know how they are and i've bought the last two sight unseen because i care about the mechanical features more than anything else. i know what i am getting and i expect the quirks about a 4Runner that you have vs more uni-body type suv's. its a truck first and a comfort 2nd even though i have a platinum, its still rugged in day to day use than 90% of suv's and i can live with that for what i need out of the vehicle.

good luck in your journey.

 

[Gumpus]

In your case one reason to try a hybrid would be to compare the ride to non-hybrid. SR5 is highly capable offroad and you don't need more unless you are hard core. Limited is only trim with electronically adjustable shocks so may have best ride.

 

[Gator 22]

Buy once cry once. Get him a Pro and adjust the Fox shocks to their softest setting. The Off Road Sport has the harshest ride.

 

[HVLA]

If he hunts and goes offroad he will want the TRD Offroad for the locker and crawl control. If he is coming from a truck he will likely want as much room as possible which means non hybrid. All my opinions of course.

 

[JCinNC]

My $.02, and if money isn't an issue, get the TRD Pro...no need to worry about mods and upgrading this or that, it's all there for your hubby and he will be ecstatic! The Hybrid is great - I have the '24 Land Cruiser as well, and these engines are so much better in terms of power than the gas, and it's not an annoying start/stop like other car makers - it's very smooth. The ride is a little "truckier" than the LC, but the seating position may help as it is more like a car than an upright SUV like the LC. Lastly, the resale value will be there for any 4Runner IMHO, but with the Pro you're in an even better spot. Good luck!

 

[Wandering Sagebrush]

I am 6’1” (lost an inch via age), and I have more than enough headroom. Our TRD OR doesn’t have a sunroof, but I have driven an OR Premium and had sufficient headroom. The locking differential and trail control help in rough terrain.

If buying again, I might consider getting the OR Premium, but still don’t think it’s worth the extra $.

 

[PdlMnk]

My husband is a truck owner and ready to get a SUV instead.
He likes how the 4 runner drives (like a truck).

I'm the negotiator in our family. Today, we're going to see a model in person. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the trim levels on the 4 runner.

Please help a girl out!

Hubby has a bad back so I am steering to higher trims than the SR5. He hunts and goes off road so the off road premium caught my eye.

We're going to a dealer today to see a 2025 off road premium with 10K miles.
1. Should we consider a hybrid?
2. Is there really a difference in a SR5 vs off road premium to make the extra $$ worth it?
3. it appears prices hold steady but should we wait for 2027s to make appearance in hopes of 2025, 2026 price reductions?

Thank you so much!! I know these quesions are general, but we're in the middle of a family crisis and I haven't been able to do my normal research.

I just sold my truck for the exact same reason, bad back. I ended up getting the off-road premium (ORP) hybrid. The hybrid has more horsepower and torque that is very noticeable, which is why I went with the hybrid. I got the off-road premium becuse it has creature comforts I wanted such as ventilated seats.

1. If it were me, I'd get the hybrid for the extra torque and HP. However, the truck weighs a lot more than the non-hybrid and SR5.
2. the ORP gets a diff locker, which the SR5 doesn't have and you cant add it later. otherwise, same 4WD setup.
3. Right now, prices are down and you can get the truck for at least 5% off MSRP. Don't let them tell you any different. Some people are getting more.

Oh, the SR5 doesn't have the 14" screen, which I would recommend.

 

[6thGen1419]

My husband is a truck owner and ready to get a SUV instead.
He likes how the 4 runner drives (like a truck).

I'm the negotiator in our family. Today, we're going to see a model in person. I'm a bit overwhelmed by all the trim levels on the 4 runner.

Please help a girl out!

Hubby has a bad back so I am steering to higher trims than the SR5. He hunts and goes off road so the off road premium caught my eye.

We're going to a dealer today to see a 2025 off road premium with 10K miles.
1. Should we consider a hybrid?
2. Is there really a difference in a SR5 vs off road premium to make the extra $$ worth it?
3. it appears prices hold steady but should we wait for 2027s to make appearance in hopes of 2025, 2026 price reductions?

Thank you so much!! I know these quesions are general, but we're in the middle of a family crisis and I haven't been able to do my normal research.

There's a big difference between SR5 and Off Road Premium. Of course, there are also differences between Off Road and Off Road Premium. I got this:

 

[Hisgirl]

Is your husband tall? I've had a few friends hop in a say they wish it had a little more head room.
1. Consider the hybrid if hes gonna be pulling trailers, the gas version is plenty capable. Just nice to have the extra under hood presence when needed. I went hybrid because my lifestyle on the gas version (in my mind) would strain the 4cyl turbo daily. Having the hybrid assist gives me peace of mind I can get 200,000 miles out of this vehicle
2. Mechanically, SR5 vs Off road , the locking rear differential ( ability to lock the rear wheels for added traction ) Tech wise , Crawl control and downhill assist aren't on the SR5.
3. The 2027s would make the 25 drop in price but im sure your not the only person doing the same thing. 25's will start disappearing
Also when considering the low trim vs high trim, Low trim will save money and you can add most of the high trim features at possibly less. Or get the high trim and have it all without modifying

He's about 5'10ish after some shrinkage from back stuff.
For pulling it's no longer a 16' trailer filled with horses but a small trailer with his ATV only.
Thank you for your response!

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