I test drove an SR5 and Limited, and preferred the SR5

[Nodak]

well if its any consolation even Kirk Kreifels says to save your money and get a sr5 over anything else.

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[get.outside.75]

It almost as if there are different buyers for different models. If you can convince yourself the bare bones SR5 is better for you than a loaded limited, great for you. Please don't imply the Limited is not an upgrade over an SR5. Maybe it isn't worth it to you.

There is zero chance I would trade my Limited for a SR5 to save a bunch of money. All the lux features are things I want at my age and point in life and to me, the Limited was a superior car to the lower trims.

 

[watchbuzz]

I also explored both of these trims, and the GX550. I went with the SR5. I also preferred the ride (I am on the 65 Nitto's). The ride on the SR5 a tad busy, but not harsh. The GX "lumbers" quite a bit and my wife hated it. I thought it was OK, it just made it feel "heavy".Outside the ride, despite the footprint the 4Runner has more interior room than the GX.

Then there's cost...The SR5 was $43k vs just shy of $60k for the Limited and $70k for the GX. So, I opted to try the SR5 for a while. I got the boulder cloth which I would argue feels more high end than some of the SoftEx interiors... And, it's going to be a stain magnet. I figure if it ends up being a pain I will go with a Katzkin conversion. In either case, it was a big cost difference which made a lot of sense for my case (beach, surf and roadtrip vehicle that lives alongside a fun car).

The limited is a big step up in terms of niceties. With the 6G it's also WAY easier to get them looking sick on the exterior. One of the guys on here has one that looks the part of a TRD Pro, but then has the Lux interior... Its a pretty epic combo.

Thanks for all the details on the tires vs mph vs odometer. That's been bugging me as well.

 

[JR_Ontario]

I am actually considering the ORP and swapping out the Bilstein’s with the SR5 shocks. Sounds silly, but this seems the be the best way to get the features I want with a ride that I can tolerate (without spending a ton on Fox shocks etc). I drove the Limited and Platinum, but they are also very stiff.

 

[Desmolicious]

I am actually considering the ORP and swapping out the Bilstein’s with the SR5 shocks. Sounds silly, but this seems the be the best way to get the features I want with a ride that I can tolerate (without spending a ton on Fox shocks etc). I drove the Limited and Platinum, but they are also very stiff.

Yeah that was the biggest surprise - the luxury model (Ltd) had much worse ride quality than the bare bones SR5.

I was at another dealer (!) just to check out a TRD ORP in Underground grey colour - to see if I'd like it IRL. They had a new LandCruiser with the premium package. I had never been in one before so out of curiousity checked it out. The interior blew me away vs the 4Runner LTD. It was so much nicer, better materials, cushier and the design just looked special.

The view out of it also was so nice - something that I will miss when my Wrangler Rubicon goes - much better view out than a 4Runner. I didn't get to drive the LC (because I'm not in the market so didn't want to be a time waster) but all reports say that the ride quality is excellent.

The price difference between a loaded hybrid 4Runner LTD and the LC nicely optioned is maybe $2 - $3k. And for that not only do you get a 'nicer' ride, but it also offers a lot more with locking differentials, sway bar disconnect, all the extra MTS stuff and off road cameras etc. So it seems like a much better deal once you are at that price point.

Of course this is all too rich for me - I want to spend as little as possible but cover my basic needs which is a ride that has a locker - so it looks like the base TRD OR is for me. I can't justify the $6K extra for the premium because I prefer the smaller screen! And I like cloth seats - it's what's been in my Rubicon for the last 14 years... The forward facing trail camera is very cool but I've been without that with no issues so the base OR out works for me. And if the $100K Ineos Grenadier doesn't have a trail camera.... who am I kidding, for $100K it should not only have a trail camera but a human spotter

 

[BlueBird]

Great thread, gonna start telling people I went SR5 for the ride quality, not because I’m cheap!

 

[TrdProGirl84]

What made you like the SR5 over a Limited?

 

[JR_Ontario]

Yeah that was the biggest surprise - the luxury model (Ltd) had much worse ride quality than the bare bones SR5.

I was at another dealer (!) just to check out a TRD ORP in Underground grey colour - to see if I'd like it IRL. They had a new LandCruiser with the premium package. I had never been in one before so out of curiousity checked it out. The interior blew me away vs the 4Runner LTD. It was so much nicer, better materials, cushier and the design just looked special.

The view out of it also was so nice - something that I will miss when my Wrangler Rubicon goes - much better view out than a 4Runner. I didn't get to drive the LC (because I'm not in the market so didn't want to be a time waster) but all reports say that the ride quality is excellent.

The price difference between a loaded hybrid 4Runner LTD and the LC nicely optioned is maybe $2 - $3k. And for that not only do you get a 'nicer' ride, but it also offers a lot more with locking differentials, sway bar disconnect, all the extra MTS stuff and off road cameras etc. So it seems like a much better deal once you are at that price point.

Of course this is all too rich for me - I want to spend as little as possible but cover my basic needs which is a ride that has a locker - so it looks like the base TRD OR is for me. I can't justify the $6K extra for the premium because I prefer the smaller screen! And I like cloth seats - it's what's been in my Rubicon for the last 14 years... The forward facing trail camera is very cool but I've been without that with no issues so the base OR out works for me. And if the $100K Ineos Grenadier doesn't have a trail camera.... who am I kidding, for $100K it should not only have a trail camera but a human spotter

Unfortunately the LC is significantly more expensive than the 4Runner in Canada. To get similar features as the 4Runner Platinum, the LC is $12K more expensive. So too rich for me also !

 

[brumey]

I did not have the option to test drive other models but I selected the SR5 purely on cost. The other trims seems to increase in cost at an outrageous rate putting them in competition with other vehicles, some better IMHO.

So far, no regrets, Had it 8 months. Sure, its got a lot of hard plastic, no power tailgate, etc but, for the cost, it was worth it. ($44.2K + T&L).

My needs however were simple. Reliable, larger SUV than I had (Ford Escape), 4x4 and lower cost. I don;t intend on doing off-road, been there, done that with a Jeep. I also don't plan many mods. Added PPF on front, Hood struts, Lastfit lights, Husky hood edge protector. I will probably get somewhat larger tires when the OEM's need replacing. Just to cushion the road ride a little more.

 

[sstarrx2]

I did not have the option to test drive other models but I selected the SR5 purely on cost. The other trims seems to increase in cost at an outrageous rate putting them in competition with other vehicles, some better IMHO.

So far, no regrets, Had it 8 months. Sure, its got a lot of hard plastic, no power tailgate, etc but, for the cost, it was worth it. ($44.2K + T&L).

My needs however were simple. Reliable, larger SUV than I had (Ford Escape), 4x4 and lower cost. I don;t intend on doing off-road, been there, done that with a Jeep. I also don't plan many mods. Added PPF on front, Hood struts, Lastfit lights, Husky hood edge protector. I will probably get somewhat larger tires when the OEM's need replacing. Just to cushion the road ride a little more.

Same here 42,600 + TTL out the door! Honestly one of the best car purchases I have ever made.

 

[JR_Ontario]

Don't think my plan (putting SR5 shocks on the ORP) will work, looks like the ORP also has different coil spring part numbers vs. the SR5. This idea is getting too complicated and costly.

 

[BlueBird]

Where are you at on tire pressure? Can you bleed a few PSI? I know it helps absorb some, not sure how much

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