Which 2014 trailer 4x4 or SR5 4x4

Hey All,

I need some direction!

I'm in a market of purchasing a 2014 4runner and I have reached to the point which I need some advice.

Which 4runner should I go with.

1. SR5 4x4 premium
Or
2. Trail premium

Also, if I'm not mistaking there is $5-6k price diff between this two vehicles.


I will be using the vehicle for:
1. Everyday highway commuter.
2. Camping 4-5 time a year.
3. Fishing and outdoor activities every other weekend and no extreme off-roading.

I will appreciate your advice and also give me some pro and con between this models.

Thanks

 

First, let me say, I have not looked at the 2014 SR5. I have looked at the Trail Premium in black with leather and it was gorgeous. I know there were changes to options on the 2014s compared to 2010 - 2013s but I don't know all the specifics. I can talk to the 2012s because I own one.

Well, I have the 2012 Trail and I wanted a Trail since 2010. There are several reasons I wanted the Trail and not just the SR5 4Runner. But first a bit of background. I do most of my miles commuting but I do wheel it about 4 trips a year. Plus, I camp, hike and mountain bike. I have also owned the 2008 Tacoma, 4dr. Offroad Edition and the 201o FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition. Prior to my 2008 Toyota conversion I had Jeeps, Dodges and Ford 4x4s.

Now for my reasons for wanting the Trail over the SR5.
1. I passionately wanted the transfercase shift lever. It may be drive by wire and the shifter serves no purpose but to make me feel good that I am shifting the transfercase into 4wd. The Limited and SR5s had a twist knob as did my Tacoma.
2. I wanted Crawl Control. I thought it seemed like a cool feature that I never had before.
3. I had to have a rear locker.
4. I wanted the rear sliding tray.
5. I wanted the blacked out bumper trim, fenderwell trim, mirrors, door handles, etc. It is a cosmetic thing. I wanted it to remind me that I wanted to be outside. Plus, I know I am going to scratch it and get brush marks. And for unknown reasons in my head, it is okay to scratch it.

The things I did not need were as follows:
1. The third row seat. It took all my storage area.
2. Chrome accents

Below are the minimum features I had to have and I believe they increase the cost of the Trail. That being said, The FJ Cruiser Trail Teams Edition had similiar features that cost $6k more than the standard FJ but the dealer quickly dropped that difference to $2k in the negotiation process.
1. Rear Locker
2. A-Trac
3. Crawl Control
4. Traction Control
5. Sunroof

I hope I helped.

 

This is great! Thank you.
I could tell you most of the reasons that you point out are almost same reasons that I'm more leaning forward the trail edition.

 

Thinking about this more I realized I do lots of mods. If I were buying an FJ again, I would get it stripped down enough to get a locker and A-Trac because I stripped all the good stuff off later anyway.

I just pulled up the 4runner brochure. I don't think you can make a bad choice eitherway. For my taste on the 4Runner, I see a lift, rims and tires and sliders. Put that stuff on the 2014 Ultimate Trail or SR5 with a locker and A-Trac and I would be excited. And you are lucky, I think 2014s have a much better color selection. I would love that dark blue.

You looking for a 5 or 7 passenger? Looking to get a Nav system? Anything special you have to have?

 

7 passenger is not must because I use to have Toyota Highlander with 3rd row seating and I only used it once in 3 years. In my experience the Nav that come with vehicles are not all that and I usually end up using Google map if needed, but its nice to have the touch interface.

Noting special that I need to have but I guess I don't want to have any regrades or what ifs in the long run. I will never know when I will be needing or using Locker / A-trac / 4x4 / crawl troll or Multi train selection, but I like to have theme for just in case if I need it.

Yes, the color selections are better for 2014, but I can't help seeing my self in all blacked out 4runner except the wheels. The wheels and tire could stay stock.

 

Let me know your impressions after you get it. I am sure you will be pleased.