Ride quality: TRD Sport vs TRD Off-Road package for daily driving

So my options are either the TRD Off-Road package in the Limited model, or the TRD Sport. I love the look of the TRD Sport so much more... the bumper, the wheels, and the fact that it has a different suspension that is more "street oriented." My question is which would be better for a daily driver? I think the sway bars and suspension would help in the Sport with body lean, but would the ride be more jarring and bumpy, especially on bad roads? I figure since I'll spend so much time in the truck once I get it, I want to get a ride that is somewhat composed, and smooth, especially over rough roads.

I haven't driven the Sport yet, so I only have the TRD Off-Road to compare it to. Ride was fairly good in the TRD Off-Road, but was wondering if the TRD Sport may be more up my alley?

Anyone driven both that can give their experience?

Thanks

 

I have the Sport. I test drove both the Sport and Off Road. To me there was not that much of a difference, but the roads that I was on were not terribly bad either, so it is hard to tell. I would say the only thing you can do to be sure is to test drive them both back-to-back, otherwise you will never know. As mentioned, I did not feel a significant difference so I went with the better looking (no chrome) truck, rather than making the decision based on ride quality.

 

Thanks for the feedback. Do you feel that the Sport was worth it as far as cornering flatter and having a better steering feel? The TRD Off Road had a numb on center steering, and had lots of body lean.

Thanks

 

It corners like a sports car. I have fun on on-ramps going on the interstate. I never test drove the Off-Road in that specific situation, but I know the guys on here who added the TRD Sport sway bars to their SR5, Platinums or Off-roads all agreed that it made a difference on the road, especially around curves.

 

I have the Sport as well. It is my daily driver on a 65 mile round trip. I couldn't be happier with the way it rides and handles. I test drove a '17 Platinum Off-Road. I didn't notice much of a difference.

 

@Jaybird79 There are few differences between the TRD Off-Road and the Sport. Get the one that looks good or which has the best deal. You can install the rear sway bar yourself (get it discounted through @Roman) in 15 minutes. That and the hood scoop are most of the differences, that I'm aware of. As for bad roads, you'd do best not to have a rear seat bar so you get the most articulation out of suspension by not having one. Having one is what minimizes body roll on street so it "corners like it's on rails". Kinda gotta pick which set of qualities is most important to you. But that choice shouldn't dictate which truck you get, just whether or not you have a rear sway bar.

 

Daily driver, easy TRD sport. The sport is set up for a nice ride on the streets and highway!

 

I do believe the shock absorbers are the same on the limited off road and sport, biggest difference in handling is not to get the low profile 20 inch tires 18 inch with larger side walls improve the handling. sway bar wil improve handling also. test ride and decide if you are going to add rims tires and lift

 

I really liked the sport.

I ended up wanting a 1794 off road for the creature comforts. After driving it, I personally didn’t like the off road suspension as much on the road. I ended up buying a regular 1794. Granted my test drive was an SR5 trd off road double cab. Not sure if the different configuration made any difference.

If I had wanted an SR5 package, then I would have gotten the sport.

 

I test drove the TRD off-road SR5 Double Cab, the TRD off road SR5 Crewmax, and the TRD off road Limited. I ordered the Sport and bought that! Love the Sport on road and off. The Suspension on the sport does well for me off road. It handles REALLY well for a full sized truck on road. I can drive pretty fast off road with my dirt bikes in the bed or towing the trailer and it rides and tracks nicely.

I bought the Sport mainly for the reasons you mentions. I did not like all the chrome on the other models.

I know I will lose some of the street handling when I swap out the 20" street shoes for 18" ATs. But it will be even smoother off road.

*Disclaimer* I didn't buy my Tundra to go hardcore 4-wheeling.

 

Thanks for your feedback. I really want to get the Sport for the looks, wheels, handling, and the fact that it's a bit rarer than all the other TRD Off-Roads out there. Here is my problem:

1.) TRD Pro is only in SR5, so I can't get leather, dual climate, navigation or sunroof that I would get in the Limited.

2.) For as much as the TRD Sport option costs, it doesn't come with any improvements in amenities, other than a different shift knob.

3.) I could get the TRD Off-Road, get the rear sway bar, buy the hood bulge, and get the 20" wheels. However I wouldn't have the nicer appearance on the outside.

I'll be buying my Tundra towards the end of the year, and basically I'm stuck between the TRD Sport, or TRD Off-Road Limited package.

Thoughts?

 

All my Toyotas have been Limited models. Avalons, Sequoia, 4-Runner. Pricing Limited vs Sport; I didn't see that big of a difference in features/needs. Wife wanted dual climate (is this really necessary), she said I would miss the sunroof (I don't), leather seats (didn't realize how cold they are in the winter and hot in the summer until I had the cloth in the Sport, and you can always add leather "katskinz" later). Keep in mind, I got the Sport at the top trim level and electronics package.

We got the sport ,mainly for the looks. I didn't want to have to swap out all the chrome.

 

You can make the limited look and ride like a sport if you wanted to but still have the extra options offered in the limited.
Color matched parts, sway bar, and even the hood scoop can all be added.

For the most part, you can add extras to the sport with the exception of dual climate control and maybe 1 or 2 other things.

I think it comes down to two things. What do you plan on doing to the truck and or using for it? Daily driver, off road, modifying it etc.. and what kind of deal you can get on the trucks.

Personally, I wanted the highest trim level possible that was offered in the cement color. That pretty much made my mind up for me.

You’ll be happy either way you go!

 

Regarding #1, you mean TRD Off-Road, not Pro. Whole diff ballgame if you're talking Pro.
Regarding "buying toward end of year" you mean 11 mos from now?!?!? Dude, wait it out and see what trim packages 2020 models will offer come September '19. You never know what could change by then.

 

One more thing, regarding #3, TRD Off-Road is offered in the Limited too, not just SR5 (read: more amenities).

 

Sounds like they want 30mpg on the new truck. You can say goodbye to the V8. One of the major reasons I want a full sized truck is for a V8.

 

Not the next generation, just the next model year. Trim levels can change slightly from year-to-year. My bet on next gen is >=2021.

 

I think they were referring to the color matched items. The LTD has too much chrome. lol

 

Go Limited. You will not be sorry. Add what you want down the road. If you go the Sport route, you can't add climate control, moonroof, etc.

 

Ahh I see what you're saying. Yes when I am ready to buy at the end of the year it will be very interesting to see if Toyota changes or adds any trim. For the $6k for the TRD Sport you'd think they at least include the TRD dual exhaust, and dual climate.

But like everybody says, it will come down what the best deal I can find is. If it's a Limited w/ the bells and whistles with low miles, I'll go for it. However if I find a nice SR5 w/ the Off Road package, that'll be a go. If in the end, it comes to wanting to best looking truck, I'll go with the Sport and add as I go along.

 

Just to be clear the TRD pro come with a sunroof, navigation and leather seats. No dual climate. The pro also comes with the fox suspension whether that’s a big deal or not, the TRD dual exhaust which definitely sounds nice and the rigid fog lights standard.

 

What are your road conditions?
Where do you mainly drive? City/ Rural?
18" wheels have more sidewall to absorb shock / vibration versus 20"
Less sidewall mean more energy is transferred to suspension.
Sway bars are great for cornering and trailer sway control but they reduce comfort in straight line when only 1 side of the truck hits a bump.
My dad's 17' DC offroad rides smoother on country roads than my 18' CM sport.
I think my sport handles nice and firm on highways and curved on/off ramps.
I think 18" wheels with rear sway bar and non-sport front sway bar would be the best compromise. I bought the sport for the color match and the skewp.

 

I went ‘19 limited trd off road. It has leather, sunroof, and dual climate control. All of these where important to me.

I added rear sway bar for $175 on Black Friday sale from local dealer. Will probably add front trd swaybar as well to match. Handles nice. Purchased trd shifter in black to match black leather. Ordered black door handles and color matched mirror caps for about $250. Swapped surround from ‘17 TRD Pro grille and ordered color match hood bulge for $450-$150 for selling chrome bulge/surround w/trd Pro insert on Craigslist.

For the chrome bumpers, I ordered color matched bumper covers for front and rear for $560 from sparksparts. So for $1300 (once I add front sway bar) I have a TRD Sport style with a limited package and no hood scoop. I did upgrade my wheels from 18 to 22.

Another feature with trd off road are the led headlights vs halogen. On the ‘19 models, trd off road led headlights are same as the trd pro led headlights.