Undecided TRD Offroad Premium v TRD Sport Premium - INPUT REQUESTS

[Semibatch]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are in the market for a 2025 4Runner. It will primarily serve as her daily driver, but we also need it to handle occasional light off-roading on trails and paths. We are currently deciding between the TRD Off-Road Premium and the TRD Sport Premium.

I would really appreciate any input on the following:
• Ride quality (on and off-road)
• Road noise
• Resale value
• Overall value for the money

Any insights or experiences would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

 

[Semibatch]

Also, is it worth the wait for the IForce Max? Thanks!

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

Let the available color combinations help guide you, that is my suggestion. Do you like the black on the fenders on the Offroad? I could be wrong but I think all the off roads come with the black fenders.

 

[FWTBT]

The Sport has a fake hood scoop that besides reducing visibility over the hood is, well, fake. It also has 20" wheels, which exist primarily for looks not function. They're heavier and reduce sidewall height so you get less protection from potholes or off road obstacles.

The Off Road has multi-terrain monitor and locking rear diff, both of which would be more useful when off road and possibly if in a difficult situation on road, eg getting through heavy snow.

The Off Road has more underbody protection, which obviously is better off road but might also come in handy for preventing damage from on-road debris.

Historically, I believe the Off Road has had the best resale value, as the Sport is considered more of a poser / mall crawler vehicle.

The Sport may however have a better on-road ride due to different suspension and more road-specific tires. But part of that benefit may be reduced by the lesser sidewall height. I don't think we know yet.

Add all that up and to me the OR is a no brainer between these two. Personally I wouldn't consider the Sport at all, would look either down toward the SR5 to get the most bang for the buck or up toward the Limited to get full-time 4WD and more creature comforts.

Regarding the drivetrain, I think early reviews show that the 2.4 turbo is more than powerful enough on its own, including for off road duty. The hybrid increases EPA MPG (unclear how much in the real world) but also a ton of weight, which results in actually slower 0-60 times. It also reduces cargo capacity and lift-over height by quite a bit. And of course it adds complexity, which in theory means less reliability over the long term. Plus it's expensive. Personally, I think the only real use cases for the hybrid are towing and hard-core off roading, where that extra torque would be nice.

So to me it's Off Road non-hybrid hands down.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

It's his wife's daily driver, he should get the Sport Premium. Better mall crawling and not really being a poser. Getting an Off Road when mall crawling , that's being a poser IMO and the fake hood scoop on the Sport looks better than the black fenders on the Off- Road.

 

[Nodak]

Hi everyone,

My wife and I are in the market for a 2025 4Runner. It will primarily serve as her daily driver, but we also need it to handle occasional light off-roading on trails and paths. We are currently deciding between the TRD Off-Road Premium and the TRD Sport Premium.

I would really appreciate any input on the following:
• Ride quality (on and off-road)
• Road noise
• Resale value
• Overall value for the money

Any insights or experiences would be helpful. Thanks in advance!

well since the poster above me didnt even take into account your question and gave a boilerplate poser answer.

1. if you are 90% not off roading, are you willing to give up the on road ride quality and features over the off road chops?

2. the sport is mostly for city driving, the off road is better at off roading but is pretty good at on road duties also, just dont expect the sport to do as much as the off road version out of the box

3. also the looks are very different to each trim, make sure you are ok with the cheap looks of the off road vs the sport (as some would say)

4, interior wise you creature comforts are way different (at least from my perspective) since i lean more toward on road features since i live in ND and snow is more an issue than off roading and getting to work is my primary reason for getting a platinum.

5. my plat will in a pinch get me to my fishing spots, but i dont expect it to go thru more than a dirt road and some light mud washed holes in the road.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I shouldn't be using words that I'm not sure what they mean. What exactly is a poser when it comes to Toyota 4Runners?

 

[FWTBT]

I’m sorry your feelings were hurt. The reference was in explanation for why the Off Road models have had higher resale values. Which was in answer to a question asked by the OP.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I’m sorry your feelings were hurt. The reference was in explanation for why the Off Road models have had higher resale values. Which was in answer to a question asked by the OP.

LOL why would you think my feelings were hurt? I was using the word poser because I saw others using it and then I realized I was unsure what people meant by that. Is anyone that buys a TRD Off-Road and does not take it off road, are they posers?

 

[FWTBT]

An observation, not a judgement: The "poser" thing is a big part of 4Runner culture. I've been in thousands of conversations with 3G-5G 4Runner owners, and it's common for them to mock people for buying these vehicles then driving them only on the street.

People who buy trims like the TRD Pro for the looks, who just use them as "mall crawlers," are a prime target.

Meanwhile, those who buy trims like the Sport get mocked for buying something that the manufacturer has essentially kneecapped (eg 20" rims aren't good for off roading) to cater to consumers who are focused on on-road and family functions that would actually be much better served by a minivan or some crossover.

The Limiteds sometimes fall into a third category, since while compromised for off road duty they have things that the off-roaders often wish they had: full time 4WD and creature comforts like ventilated leather seats and dual zone climate control. So you'll see some Limiteds on smaller wheels and bigger tires with lifts, making them more like prior Land Cruisers -- super capable for off roading while relatively posh for the road.

Now my own view: a lot of consumers are kinda sheeple, they blindly follow the herd and are attracted to shiny new things whether they're actually good for them or not. The Sport trim caters to this dynamic more than the other trims. It has more focus on visual appeal. And on on-road duty, which raises questions about why it's a better choice than something like a crossover, which can have more useable interior packaging with better gas mileage and comfort, and often for less money.

I think a lot of people buy them cause they look "cool" or "tough," which of course people are entitled to do. IMO it's just not that rational.

There's another category of 4Runner owner, which I'd put myself in: Little interest in hardcore off roading but lots of interest in bad weather ability, overall utility, reliability and durability. It's hard to find a vehicle that is likely to last longer than a 5th Gen 4Runner. It has a lot of cargo space, especially for its exterior dimensions, since it's an efficient box in shape. It can seat 7 (I wouldn't have gotten a two-row). It has almost 10" of ground clearance, which is awesome for snow etc. It has a long travel suspension and underbody protection, which can come in handy in crumbling pot-marked cityscapes as well as off road.

Which brings me back to the topic of this thread. To me, the Off Road just provides so much more bang for the buck than the Sport. If you ever take it off road, it's obviously a much better choice. But if you never take it off road, you've still given yourself an advantage for bad weather and road hazards.

Yes, if you buy an Off Road and never take it off road, some will call you a "poser." But I rather be that kind of poser than the Sport kind of poser, so long as I was motivated not by the looks and "cool factor" but by the added ability and toughness I'd gotten.

 

[Mena_spuk]

An observation, not a judgement: The "poser" thing is a big part of 4Runner culture. I've been in thousands of conversations with 3G-5G 4Runner owners, and it's common for them to mock people for buying these vehicles then driving them only on the street.

People who buy trims like the TRD Pro for the looks, who just use them as "mall crawlers," are a prime target.

Meanwhile, those who buy trims like the Sport get mocked for buying something that the manufacturer has essentially kneecapped (eg 20" rims aren't good for off roading) to cater to consumers who are focused on on-road and family functions that would actually be much better served by a minivan or some crossover.

The Limiteds sometimes fall into a third category, since while compromised for off road duty they have things that the off-roaders often wish they had: full time 4WD and creature comforts like ventilated leather seats and dual zone climate control. So you'll see some Limiteds on smaller wheels and bigger tires with lifts, making them more like prior Land Cruisers -- super capable for off roading while relatively posh for the road.

Now my own view: a lot of consumers are kinda sheeple, they blindly follow the herd and are attracted to shiny new things whether they're actually good for them or not. The Sport trim caters to this dynamic more than the other trims. It has more focus on visual appeal. And on on-road duty, which raises questions about why it's a better choice than something like a crossover, which can have more useable interior packaging with better gas mileage and comfort, and often for less money.

I think a lot of people buy them cause they look "cool" or "tough," which of course people are entitled to do. IMO it's just not that rational.

There's another category of 4Runner owner, which I'd put myself in: Little interest in hardcore off roading but lots of interest in bad weather ability, overall utility, reliability and durability. It's hard to find a vehicle that is likely to last longer than a 5th Gen 4Runner. It has a lot of cargo space, especially for its exterior dimensions, since it's an efficient box in shape. It can seat 7 (I wouldn't have gotten a two-row). It has almost 10" of ground clearance, which is awesome for snow etc. It has a long travel suspension and underbody protection, which can come in handy in crumbling pot-marked cityscapes as well as off road.

Which brings me back to the topic of this thread. To me, the Off Road just provides so much more bang for the buck than the Sport. If you ever take it off road, it's obviously a much better choice. But if you never take it off road, you've still given yourself an advantage for bad weather and road hazards.

Yes, if you buy an Off Road and never take it off road, some will call you a "poser." But I rather be that kind of poser than the Sport kind of poser, so long as I was motivated not by the looks and "cool factor" but by the added ability and toughness I'd gotten.

An observation, not a judgement: The "poser" thing is a big part of 4Runner culture. I've been in thousands of conversations with 3G-5G 4Runner owners, and it's common for them to mock people for buying these vehicles then driving them only on the street.

People who buy trims like the TRD Pro for the looks, who just use them as "mall crawlers," are a prime target.

Meanwhile, those who buy trims like the Sport get mocked for buying something that the manufacturer has essentially kneecapped (eg 20" rims aren't good for off roading) to cater to consumers who are focused on on-road and family functions that would actually be much better served by a minivan or some crossover.

The Limiteds sometimes fall into a third category, since while compromised for off road duty they have things that the off-roaders often wish they had: full time 4WD and creature comforts like ventilated leather seats and dual zone climate control. So you'll see some Limiteds on smaller wheels and bigger tires with lifts, making them more like prior Land Cruisers -- super capable for off roading while relatively posh for the road.

Now my own view: a lot of consumers are kinda sheeple, they blindly follow the herd and are attracted to shiny new things whether they're actually good for them or not. The Sport trim caters to this dynamic more than the other trims. It has more focus on visual appeal. And on on-road duty, which raises questions about why it's a better choice than something like a crossover, which can have more useable interior packaging with better gas mileage and comfort, and often for less money.

I think a lot of people buy them cause they look "cool" or "tough," which of course people are entitled to do. IMO it's just not that rational.

There's another category of 4Runner owner, which I'd put myself in: Little interest in hardcore off roading but lots of interest in bad weather ability, overall utility, reliability and durability. It's hard to find a vehicle that is likely to last longer than a 5th Gen 4Runner. It has a lot of cargo space, especially for its exterior dimensions, since it's an efficient box in shape. It can seat 7 (I wouldn't have gotten a two-row). It has almost 10" of ground clearance, which is awesome for snow etc. It has a long travel suspension and underbody protection, which can come in handy in crumbling pot-marked cityscapes as well as off road.

Which brings me back to the topic of this thread. To me, the Off Road just provides so much more bang for the buck than the Sport. If you ever take it off road, it's obviously a much better choice. But if you never take it off road, you've still given yourself an advantage for bad weather and.

Yes, if you buy an Off Road and never take it off road, some will call you a "poser." But I rather be that kind of poser than the Sport kind of poser, so long as I was motivated not by the looks and "cool factor" but by the added ability and toughness I'd gotten.

I would like to touch more on the better capabilities of off road than sport edition, To my understanding the sport is just missing locking rear differential, so what makes it more efficient in extreme weather condition or road hazards in your opinion?

 

[FWTBT]

I would like to touch more on the better capabilities of off road than sport edition, To my understanding the sport is just missing locking rear differential, so what makes it more efficient in extreme weather condition or road hazards in your opinion?

The Off Road trims come with real underbody protection, actual steel skid plates. The Sport and SR5 appear to just have a felt/plastic cover under the engine bay. More ground clearance is another significant plus for the Off Road. Also beefier shocks. And the locking rear diff could come in handy if you're stuck in a snow drift or rut or mud pit.

They also have smaller wheels, which means more sidewall and thus more protection from potholes and the like.

The Off Road tires are presumably beefier, less prone to punctures and sidewall damage, because they are All Terrains. But such tires aren't always great in the rain and snow. So you'd have to do a side by side comparison of what each trim is actually shipping with. In general I don't really factor in tires because OEM versions are often lame compared to what you can get yourself, and of course they're wear items so get replaced anyway. But point being that I wouldn't assume the Off Roads are coming with tires that are better than the Sport's tires in bad weather. They may or may not be.

 

[ModernDay4Runner]

I think many people buy 4Runners not just because they look cool or tough, they buy them because they are reliable vehicles that hold their value very well that also happen to look cool and tough. It's a very rational decision IMO, especially for those that live in milder climates.

Let's leave all that judgmental "poser" talk on the other (www.4Runners.com) forum website. Kidding. You can say whatever you want to say, obviously.

 

[FWTBT]

I think many people buy 4Runners not just because they look cool or tough, they buy them because they are reliable vehicles that hold their value very well that also happen to look cool and tough. It's a very rational decision IMO, especially for those that live in milder climates.

Let's leave all that judgmental "poser" talk on the other (www.4Runners.com) forum website. Kidding. You can say whatever you want to say, obviously.

4runners.com definitely has its share of jerks. And it seems to have gotten worse recently.

I tried to be clear on this point, but if I wasn't: I think there are very valid reasons to buy a 4Runner even if it will never hit dirt. It's not my view that all street-only 4Runner owners are "posers." It's a view that's out there, but it's not mine.

Mine is that many 4Runner attributes designed for off road purposes also have advantages on road. Which is why I'd strongly prefer the Off Road to the Sport at a similar price point. Because it delivers more of those advantages.

The people I'm criticizing are those who buy a 4Runner just for the image of ruggedness, when their actual functional priorities align much better with a crossover. Especially for goodness sake if they're leasing, so won't even have it that long. They're entitled, of course, it's just silly to me when they could have spent less money on something that's more family friendly and gets better MPG and will be reliable enough for the actual amount of miles they have it.

I totally get it if the view is: I need a SUV-type vehicle and prefer it to be more rugged and durable than the typical crossover, even if that means worse MPG, NVH, etc., cause I plan to keep it for 15 years. And/or I plan to tow or haul a bunch of stuff.

I just think there are a lot of people buying 4Runners for the image, when something like a Highlander would serve them better in real life. And I have a strong feeling that this phenomenon is most common with the Sport trim.

 

[Nodak]

There's another category of 4Runner owner, which I'd put myself in: Little interest in hardcore off roading but lots of interest in bad weather ability, overall utility, reliability and durability. It's hard to find a vehicle that is likely to last longer than a 5th Gen 4Runner. It has a lot of cargo space, especially for its exterior dimensions, since it's an efficient box in shape. It can seat 7 (I wouldn't have gotten a two-row). It has almost 10" of ground clearance, which is awesome for snow etc. It has a long travel suspension and underbody protection, which can come in handy in crumbling pot-marked cityscapes as well as off road.

this part of your post applies to me. i have to deal with ND winters at 5am, usually about 30-60 mins before the state plows hit the road to Minot AFB.

that FT 4WD is great for getting around minot and our crapped out intersections covered in iced at the stoplights/stop signs before the city trucks dump dirt. (this is usually when i have to use 4HL)

same goes for the highway drive to base with the road covered in snow, sometimes deep or ice covered in sections.

i bought my 2014 4R limited for this situation mostly. it replaced a subaru legacy 3.6R that had the same system as the 4R limited, but the low snow plow clearance hurt the most vs the 4R higher clearance and resistance to high centering in deep snow.