SR5 Premium - Which Would You Choose 2020-2024?

I am a long time Tacoma owner, getting ready to buy my first 4Runner. I think I am pretty set on an SR5 Premium 4WD. Curious what your opinions are on the years 2020-2024?

 

Toyota doesn't make them anymore.

 

2020 has halogen low beams. (you might prefer its warmth, or the sheer power of the LED’s)

2021+ gets LED low beams, halogen highs, LED high beams and push button start starting 2022+ I think.

Later years get more sensors like blind spot monitoring, not sure if SR5P would have them or not. Optional heated wheel shows up at some point.

 

I prefer SR5 with;

• 3rd row seating (I need them when parents come or to take my kiddos friends)
  
• no moonroof (extra head room, keep me safe from hail storms where I live, or in case of a serious accident. Also provide better temperature control in summer and winter)
  
• should have heated seats
  
• should have halogen head lights (I will change to LED bulbs. I having ability to be serviceable vs fixed LED housing), But I replace fog light housing with full LED housing, not LED bulbs (old reflector housing fogs and LED bulbs not a good combo for on coming traffic).
• zero accidents or rental use (I have 0 trust in car fx. The new owners were devastated when I showed the pics of the accident of my previous 4runner which was reported as minor damage.)

If I could change my mind to take a gamble on long term reliability I would take SR5 with Toyota safety sense with automatic braking, radar cruise, etc.. Factory LED headlights are pretty good. Also with Blind sport monitoring, optional 360 camera, I think heating steering also an option?

 

I have a 2022 and like the extra features mine came with and mentioned in the two previous posts - Factory LED Headlights, Blind Spot Monitoring, Heated Seats, Push Button Start. I was a little surprised that it still had so many traditional interior and exterior light bulbs but they were all easy to replace with LEDs.

 

I would buy whatever you can find with the least mileage on it and include off roads and sports in your search too.

 

yeah... 2020-2024? the year itself doesn't matter. if you are going to buy a 4R of that vintage you should pick a vehicle based on:

- clean Carfax
- overall condition including undercarriage
- mileage
- documented service history
- amount of remaining factory warranty
- mods that you'd spend your money for (wheels, AT tires, roof rack, etc.)

 

4Runner newbie here. I recently bought a 2020 SR5 Premium 2WD. It has leather seats (or whatever it's called these days), 3rd row, push start, heated seats, sunroof. I interstate travel often, so the radar sensing cruise control is nice. It has lane sensing, but not the sensing a vehicle as you change lanes (is that blind spot monitoring?) I would dig that and an audible alarm on my back up camera too, but oh well. No heated steering wheel, but oh well again. Two of my must haves were leather upholstery and the radar sensing cruise control, so I'm pretty happy. I wish the controls had back lighting (wiper controls, headlight controls, mirror adjustments, etc) because my old ass can't find them easily in the dark while I'm driving, but these are minor things. I got a solid vehicle with low mileage, no issues, and no accidents, so I'm satisfied with my ride.

 

With all due respect, mind if I ask, when you don't go off pavement or don't have snow in your area why a 4runner 2wd vs something like Highlander that is easy to get in and out, more responsive to drive, little better on gas on gas ones and amazing mpg on hybrids, more features, etc.. Just trying to get an idea. Similarly I was surprised Jeep Wrangler had 2wd option.

 

I have a 2021 SR5P 4WD. If you can find anything 21+ with low miles and good history you should be good. The SR5P is a nice option for a few more creature comforts without breaking bank on an ORP. Mine has moonroof, heated seats, push button start, the safety lane and brake features, and the faux leather. In hindsight I could have likely done without faux leather seats because the aftermarket seat covers are real nice. But the Premium comes with them. I also don’t use the lane departure alert or the radar cruise (both annoying to me). The brake alert is good though. The blind spot I think is just the side mirrors have a light on them when someone detected in blind spot.

I drove a 2020 Tacoma for a year before the 4R and the 4R is a nice step up from that. And of course the mods are endless and a nice way to update your ride every now and then.

 

@kmeeg
great question! and the honest answer?
the 4Runner looks way cooler, more aggressive.

 

100% agree.

 

Do the 2019 SR5P that’d be my go to

 

18’-19’ was the sweet spot. Happy hunting.

 

welcome

 

One without cloth seats AKA fart sponge.