For Maryland residents searching for a truck for both daily driving and weekend tasks and vacations, the Toyota Tacoma is one of the most storied light pickup trucks of all time. You may find the ideal balance of power and maneuverability in a Tacoma, whatever your needs may be, thanks to the Tacoma’s two engine options and range of trim levels. To assist you in choosing, we’ll break down all the different trims in this blog.
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What variations exist among the Toyota Tacoma models?
There are many good reasons to adore pickup trucks, and most truck owners take their decision to purchase a particular model seriously. So why would you choose a truck with a small selection of features? The 2020 Toyota Tacoma is constructed with more than enough variation to allow discerning buyers to find the best trim level for them.
The Toyota Tacoma comes in six trim levels: SR, SR5, TRD Sport, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro. Naturally, you may further separate the trims based on additional factors like cabin size, bed length, and drive type. Which trim will you select given that each is certain to draw a distinct audience? Some of the highlights of each trim are shown in the chart below.
What distinguishes a Toyota Tacoma limited from a TRD?
The Toyota Tacoma Limited comes with a rear-wheel drive drivetrain as standard, with the option to upgrade to a 4X4 drivetrain. However, the Toyota Tacoma TRD Pro has four wheel drive as standard, so drivers who prefer a little bit more control when driving in town should choose the TRD Pro.
Which is preferable, TRD or SR5?
The Toyota Tacoma offers a multitude of model options, like many other pickup trucks on the market, to ensure that there is a truck to suit everyone’s demands. The TRD Off-road and the SR5 are two well-liked variants. The key distinctions between the SR5 and the TRD Off-road may be of interest to you if you intend to buy or trade in your Toyota Tacoma. We looked at both models to find the solution for you.
It is simple to compare the Toyota SR5 and the Toyota TRD Off-road for possible purchases because of their many similarities. There are, however, a few distinctions as well. The following are the primary distinctions between the SR5 and the TRD Off-road:
- Features: The TRD provides features that the SR5 does not.
- The TRD is more expensive than the SR5.
- There is one package option available for the SR5. The TRD has four different packages.
- The TRD is broader and has more inside room, although the SR5 has a longer bed.
- Weight and carrying capacity: The TRD can carry more weight, but the SR5 can tow more weight.
Before you choose which model is best for you, let’s look at each of these variations in more detail and discuss how they impact the driving experience. Let’s get started without further ado!
What distinguishes the Tacoma SR5 from the SR?
You’ll discover several similarities between the Toyota Tacoma SR and the SR5. The SR5 contains several features as standard that are only available as options for the base model SR, you will find out when you compare the standard features for each of them.
Let’s examine the parallels and discrepancies between the SR and the SR5.
Interior Features
The SR and SR5 have slightly different fabric color options. The SR5 has one Cement and one black/red color combination as possibilities, compared to the SR’s two Cement fabric trim options.
The leather steering wheel of the SR5 is likewise a standard item; it is not an option on the SR. Keyless entry is also a standard feature on the SR5, but you have to pay extra for it on the SR.
Every trim level has an infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The SR’s infotainment screen is seven inches in size, while the SR5’s is a little bigger at eight inches.
Price
The base model SR has an MSRP of $26,500. At $28,290, the SR5 is a little more expensive. There isn’t much of a difference between these two vehicles when you consider what you receive with each trim level.
Given the costs of the two, upgrading to the SR5 trim level won’t provide you much more for your money.
A slightly larger infotainment screen, keyless entry, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel might not be enough to convince many customers to spend almost an additional $2,000 on their pickup truck.
What Tacomas should I avoid?
The Toyota Tacoma models from the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2016, and 2017 have a lot of faults, therefore we advise staying away from them. The body, paint, and engine issues on the 2006, 2007, and 2008 models are major difficulties.
Along with several light, body, and engine flaws, the interior accessories of the 2009 model have a tendency to be defective and frequently malfunction.
There are several issues with the 2011 Toyota Tacoma, and complaints have been made concerning almost every part. The drivetrain and engine are primarily flawed in the 2012 model, whereas unreliable transmissions are also present in the 2016 and 2017 vehicles.
These two Toyota Tacomas are among the worst you can buy because their transmissions have so many flaws that driving them might be dangerous. However, the 2007 is as unwise to purchase due to its extraordinarily high repair expenses.
The average automobile spends 1-2 weeks on the lot, but the greatest offers are typically scooped up in less than 48 hours. Get notified right away when the price of a saved car reduces or when a great new Tacoma listing appears by downloading the CoPilot app.
The best Tacoma is…
The first Toyota Tacoma was introduced in 1995 and produced for three versions, ending in 2005. While the tough truck has never exactly been recognized for being quiet or smooth, its value has held through the years.
The 2000, 2001, 2003, and 2004 Tacomas from the first generation received the highest ratings. However, 2004 received less praise overall.
There are many models available if the second generation is of interest to you. 2005, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, and 2015 all received flawless dependability verdict ratings from MotorBiscuit.
For purchasers looking for an all-purpose vehicle that can handle tough terrain, the 2012–2015 series is ideal. These Tacomas had a significant renovation and now have a stylish interior.
This second generation is more expensive than other used trucks on the market, even with higher mileage.
A 2005 Toyota Tacoma 2WD Access Cab PreRunner with 200,000 miles was posted on Autotrader for $9,000, as were a Tacoma 4WD Double Cab with 75,000 miles and a 2015 Tacoma with the TRD package and 6,000 miles.
With a 4 out of 5 rating from Consumer Reports, the 2005 Toyota Tacoma has the greatest satisfaction rating out of the group.
Even the 2016 model of Toyota’s current generation costs between $20,000 and $32,675. But if you’d prefer a more recent design, the Toyota Tacoma from 2019 is your best alternative. The 2019 model received a 4 out of 5 rating for dependability and owner satisfaction.
Which is preferable, Limited or TRD?
The Toyota Tacoma’s TRD-Pro and Limited trim levels have a few very small changes. With the Limited, you’ll get slightly higher gas mileage, with a highway rating of 24 mpg as opposed to 22 mpg for the TRD-Pro.
The Limited starts at $39,255 while the TRD-Pro starts at $44,075, which is another difference in the MSRP. Despite having the same base 3.5 liter V6 engine, the TRD-Pro will mostly be offered in 4x4s, whereas the Limited will have rear-wheel drive on the majority of its versions.
The main distinctions were noted above. Here, we’ll break them down in more detail so you can learn more.
The interior
The Tacoma Limited is designed to feel more opulent. It has a more upscale appearance thanks to the leather seats and grained upholstery. The TRD-Pro is more designed for challenging driving and off-road sports. Though still beautiful, the interior falls far short of the Limited’s degree of comfort.
The Limited trim level comes standard with premium features. A navigation system, satellite radio, smartphone integration, onboard Bluetooth technology, and adaptive cruise control are just a few of the numerous features this vehicle has to offer. With all of the bells and whistles offered, this trim level is intended to be the most luxurious and comfortable for the Tacoma.
The TRD-Pro is designed for a more off-road experience, as we said before in this piece. This trim level lacks a large number of the comfort-oriented items that the Limited provides.
The engine
The Limited does not come with a manual transmission option, but the TRD-Pro will. The TRD-Pro has a feature called crawl control as well because off-road adventures are its intended use.
Cab configuration
The sole available cab configuration for the Tacoma Limited is the Double Cab. Both the Access Cab and the Double Cab cab types are available for the TRD-Pro.
Wheel configuration
Both 4×2 and 4×4 wheel options are offered for the Tacoma Limited. The TRD also offers 4×2 and 4×4 options.
On Toyota’s website, a comprehensive list of options for each trim level is available.
Which Tacoma has the best ride quality?
Prior to discussing the 2022 Toyota Tacoma, let’s take a look at the problems with earlier models. The ride quality of the 2020 Tacoma has reportedly improved thanks to upgrades, according to Edmunds.
Wind noise in the cabin was lessened by the use of side windows with thicker cut-glass. However, rivals like the Honda Ridgeline and Chevrolet Colorado still have an advantage. Compared to the Tacoma, they ride more comfortably.
According to Car and Driver, the Toyota Tacoma Limited features a quieter and more comfortable ride than the off-road models. The TRD Pro sacrifices pavement comfort in favor of a raised suspension, powerful shock absorbers, and aggressive tires.
Additionally, according to U.S. News, the 2020 Toyota Tacoma has a rougher ride than its competitors. Some drivers found it unpleasant in most driving scenarios and it can be forceful over bumps. You see what I mean? It’s a bumpy ride.
Differences in the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road Trims
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport and TRD off-Road models are fundamentally designed for different types of conditions. The TRD Sport boasts a sport-tuned suspension for improved on-road performance and has a modest advantage in terms of configuration options and towing power. The TRD Off-Road variant includes the Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control features for ultimate off-road potential. Additionally, it boasts a superior approach and breakover angle degrees for maneuverability and comes standard with an electronically controlled locking rear differential.
Similarities Between the 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road Options
The 2021 Toyota Tacoma TRD Sport and Off-Road variants offer the most customization when it comes to truck setup thanks to a number of base components. Both options feature a manual transmission option in addition to the usual six-speed automatic powertrain. The same holds true for the Double Cab and Access Cab choices, as well as for the front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations.