TRD Sport vs TRD OffRoad

New to this forum, sorry if this has been covered, I wasn't able to find a thread. Links to previous threads are more than welcome.

I'm in the market for a new truck because I just blew the transmission in my 2011 Jeep Liberty, so I'm kinda under the gun as far as time goes. I'm going to pull the trigger on 2.5 Gen Tundra. The SR5's are what's in my price range. I was hoping to stay under $40k and 40k miles, but it's looking like I may go up to $45k. I'm moving to the Western Slope of Colorado in the next few months and home base will be at 7500'. I imagine I'll do some off-roading for the purposes of hiking, camping, hunting, etc. but nothing crazy. I'm trying to figure out the differences between the TRD Sport vs the TRD OffRoad packages and which might suit my situation best.

I'd also be EXTREMELY grateful to any other buying tips. For example, I was just cruising through some threads before and discovered that the '20 & '21 has an upgraded head unit that supports Android Auto. That was super helpful.

THANKS IN ADVANCE!!

 

My vote is for the sport. (I'm biased, I own one)

You won't have to remove the hideous chrome. Sport is color matched and you still get the TRD offroad suspension.

 

What @1UP said - if you're getting an SR5 go with the sports package, if available. It includes color keyed parts, which is probably the most expensive difference if having to order aftermarket. Additionally, sport comes with a rear swaybar (which myself and many others on the forum like).

As far as the differences in suspension go, you can usually get a set of TRD OR shock takeoffs for pretty cheap since people remove them to upgrade. Similarly for wheels, either the 18" (TRD OR) or 20" (Sport) can be bought pretty cheap from people's takeoffs. TRD OR skidplate is super thin, so if you want one you're probably better off going aftermarket from the start.

Both have the upgraded headlights, so the only remaining difference I can think of is the bed sticker.

Personally, I went with TRD OR, but that's all that was available above SR5.

 

appreciate the responses...

I would prefer the color matched trim as opposed to chrome, but that's not my main concern. If the OffRoad package is the better package, then i can deal with the chrome. However, if there's no real major functional difference, then i don't really have to search for one over the other.

The OffRoad skidplate is super thin and usually one of the first upgrades, then does the Sport not even have a stock skidplate?

 

If you into fake hood scope sport is the one to get

 

They are all the same. TRD PRO is a bit more advantageous, because it has FOX shocks, but you can replace them (or ICON, or whatever) in any trim level.

 

I never really thought about... do chicks dig fake hood scoops??

 

They literally are all basically the same. Just get what you like best. I would definitely look for the 38 gallon tank though. They can be thirsty.

 

Yup, pretty much the same across the board. Differences are mostly aesthetic. Nothing mechanically different like the TRD Offroad vs Sport in the Tacoma line. Went for the chrome-less look myself. Had plenty of it on my last Tacoma and swapping trim pieces wasn’t cheap. Good luck with your search!

 

Not quite. Yes on the color match, no on the off road suspension. TRD OR has the yellow/ blue Bilsteins, the TRD Sport has the red/blue Bilsteins. TRD Sport is tuned for better manners on the road - better cornering and handling, which is why it has the rear sway bar and 20" wheels.

TRD OR is tuned for better handling off road, and has 18" wheels, a borderline acceptable engine skid plate and no rear sway bar.

OP if you plan on off-roading some but not "wheeling the truck" hard like some do here, the TRD Offroad would be better suited for you. If you hate the idea of the chrome, I'd get the TRD sport and it's very easy / inexpensive to find used/take-off yellow and blue shocks and TRD Off Road wheels. If you plan on "modding" and changing some suspension components for a little better performance off road, a little more ground clearance, etc., I'd still get the sport for no chrome then get the suspension/tires/wheels of your choosing. Easily 1000 threads on here to help your checking account shrink to accomplish that. Enjoy.

 

The Sport does have the same thin factory skid plate

I have a Sport and given the opportunity again I'd still go the same route. Like others above have said, the Sport has the color matched front which I prefer, YMMV, and if you want the Off-Road suspension you can usually find a set with low miles that someone took off to upgrade. So best of both while spending less money. But if you like or don't mind the chrome and plan to be more off-road than on then go for the Off-Road.

 

Sport has a 20" wheel the Off Road has 18".
If the hood scoop bothers you get the off road

 

I always forget about the hood scoop. I think I'm definitely in the minority of people in not being a fan

That alone would probably be enough to sway me against the sport (though I suppose you could hood swap with someone)

 

unfortunately TRD Pro's are out of my price range

 

lots of info and advice here, thanks...

 

If you have a friend that paints cars for a living, the chrome surround, hood bulge and bumper covers are very easy to remove for paint if you go OR.

 

Yes

 

My 2020 Sport with stock suspension has yellow/blue bilsteins.

OP, I went with Sport mostly due to the color matching. I wish I didn't have the 20" rims but it is what it is. You honestly won't go wrong with either choice. If you're buying used, just go for whichever one has a better maintenance history and you visually like more. Drive it and be happy!

 

I definitely like the idea of spending less money!!! haha

 

I like the sport better, no chrome. I am partial as I own a platinum which is also very short on chrome.
I installed rear sway bar, one of the best mods so far…
Good luck!

 

I dechromed my TRD OR and sold off the pro grill insert and chrome bits to wash the cost and it came to something like $5-600 to color match. Cosmetics aside- I offroad up tower roads to get to our flying sites quite a bit so the Sport was a no for me (20” rims wouldve been more prone to damage didnt want the sway bar offroading). That said, everything is removable and swappable on either vehicle so both work.

In response to the ‘chicks digging fake hood scoops’ thing.. No.

 

Not calling you a liar or anything, but are you sure you aren't seeing the blue protectors and assuming it's the yellow shocks under? Sports come stock with the Red Bilstein shocks, that have the same blue protectors as the Off-Road shocks do. Unless you bought used and the PO swapped them? Not sure if you could order a Sport and have the dealer swap for the Off-Road shocks but I guess that's possible too.

 

Sport.

 

Now you have me second guessing myself. I'll take a picture on lunch.

Leased the truck new in October 2019 and bought out the lease this past fall so I know 100% nothing was changed. Hell, I was waiting for it to arrive at the dealer and I was there before they could even peal the vinyl off and fill the gas up lol

 

The only other thing I want to add that I haven't seen anyone else mention is the fact that the TRD Off-Road also adds a protection plate for the fuel tank. The only reason I mention this is if you want to replace it with an actual skid protection plate, you'll have to buy the straps separately if not the Off-Road version. Otherwise, you can re-use the straps.

 

Thanks and yeah if one was available when I drove a couple of my 2019s, I probably would have gone the sport route too. I changed the boring "gray" sR5 wheels/tires and found some machined/black TRD OR wheels/tires for a great deal. I didnt want a ton of chrome, therefore limiteds were out, (1794s too, but like the platinum, weren't in my price range), but I dont mind a little. I only have the chrome surround/bulge and bumper caps on my truck which work nicely with the machined/black OR wheels. I'm still debating going color match for the bulge/surround and keeping the caps chrome as I dont mind a little and I think it would tie nicely with the OR wheels.

 

Rode in an co-workers same Trd-Offroad stock and my Sport before I swapped out the suspension…driving over the crap roads here and potholes, speed bumps ..they honestly didn’t feel that different. Noticeable change came after the 6112/5160 swap. Armor, suspension, wheels and tires…those were on my list of things to change regardless of what trim I ended up in…then came down for me to was chrome…just didn’t want to add that headache of chasing down paint matched parts or painting anything. Choice is yours and I’m sure you will pick up what you like

 

Sport has more firm shocks, comes with rear sway bar IIRC, larger wheels, paint matched bumper caps, and the terrible hood scoop.
The sport I think is the better package overall. I liked the off-road package better for my needs. I like 18” wheels, the sway bars were easier to just add, and I prefer the slightly softer off-road shocks.

 

I have a ‘19 sport. I love the looks, color matching, I even like the hood scoop. I’d say in my opinion the sport looks better. I have the upgraded sway bars and they look and feel great for stability. BUT and this is a big BUT, I hate how the 20” wheels feel. I recently took them off because they take away any usable side wheel that 18” or smaller diameter wheels can offer.
If you’re gonna do off roading, the 20” wheels suck. If you’re not and you just want looks, then whatever looks best for you.

 

Yes.