Limited vs offroad

[Steve Lam]

Hi all, I am purchasing a Tacoma for my first time. I want a truck which i can keep for next 15-20 years. I wonder if there is any advice for picking between Limited and Offroaf Hybrid. I am no hard-core offload at all, just for daily run in and out. Someone told me off-road might cost more in term of services and maintenance... any recommendations will be much appreciated. Thanks all

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[WKTJR1]

The basic core maintenance schedules are the same; however, the manual highlights that if you frequently drive off-road or in muddy or dusty conditions, you may need to perform more frequent maintenance on certain components such as the air filter, brake systems, suspension, and underbody cleaning. This recommendation applies to all models.


If the majority of your driving will be on smooth (or rough) asphalt, go for the Limited. If you're traveling down logging roads or camping off-grid, go for the Off-Road model.

 

[EastonTaco]

I had the same decision between the OR and Sport. The OR is definitely the way to go if you need those hard core off road features. However for me which is mostly road with some fire roads and snow, the Sport was set up better for my needs which seem similar to yours. I have found the Sport more than capable in every 4WD situation on and off the pavement. The Limited would just be icing on the cake and sometimes I think maybe I should have sprung for the extra bucks.

 

[SilverSurfer]

Given that this is a new model generation, nobody can tell you if the tacoma will be a 15 - 20 year vehicle. We would like it to be, but it’s not proven. Personally, I’d eschew the hybrid for its complexity since it doesn’t really add a lot of mpg efficiency over the standard 4 cylinder. Toyota has a solid track record for both hybrids and 4 cylinder applications, so it’ll probably be solid for both. Personally, I’d recommend the OR since it rides a bit softer than the other trims, which is everyday enjoyable.

 

[EastonTaco]

I am going to agree and disagree with SilverSurfer. I agree that the hybrid may not be worth the extra tech and potential problems, and you also loose the under rear seat storage due to the batteries. I find the under seat storage very useful and would not trade that for any potential hybrid advantages.

I disagree on the ride difference. I like the stiffer ride of the Sport and similar road models both for ride feel and practicality. I would be concerned with the softer OR ride during a high speed highway correction since my truck is mostly a road princess. Part of this would also be the OR tires vs the more road based tires. I have always enjoyed a stiffer car suspension and find I have this with the Sport. But, hey, to each his own. No one can say we haven’t embraced diversity on this site LOL.

 

[Chris_2025OR]

What's great about this generation is Toyota listened to how their buyers used their trucks, then created a trim level for every category of user with the ability to modify it even further. SR for fleet and work trucks, SR5 for the budget conscious, Sport for all around, Off-Road for off road, Limited for on road and comfort, Trailhunter for overlanding, Pro for baja desert. My advice would be to go with the trim that is the closest fit to your intended purpose, then add on any factory or aftermarket options to make it your own! I would also vote "no" on the hybrid unless you're interested in the extra HP and torque for towing/hauling or pretending it's a race car.

 

[Rsuperman]

I think your best bet is to go with the TACOMA. You already know which one fits you better. Happy trails.

 

[Gearman]

I went with the off-road for the rear locker, a little bummed that it only works in 4L. My other trucks I use a locker all the time in 2WD for quick added traction. I think Toyota missed on this one.

My last Toyota vehicle was a Tundra, limited trim. I like the features of the limited trim, but didn't like all the Crome on the new limited tacoma, so I had to choose between the OR and Sport trims. I drove both, and chose what I did for reasons I stated.

 

[bitflogger]

Hi all, I am purchasing a Tacoma for my first time. I want a truck which i can keep for next 15-20 years. I wonder if there is any advice for picking between Limited and Offroaf Hybrid. I am no hard-core offload at all, just for daily run in and out. Someone told me off-road might cost more in term of services and maintenance... any recommendations will be much appreciated. Thanks all

Far different matters were on my mind and in my analysis considering same two vehicles.

The Limited doesn't have a long bed available. Coming from a period with a van and wagon and doing a whole lot of shopping for a broad range of vehicles, the short beds came up mostly goofy and useless. If I hauled a 6 ft ladder sideways I could not fit other stuff in. For interest in occasional camping it was a similar restriction.

I decided against hybrid in all versions because the middle of 3 options is very powerful and hybrid in this case does not get you a big fuel economy boost.

While nice, the Limited still drove like a solid axle light truck, and I would not want that handling and fuel economy for commuting. In addition to the long bed models being SO much more useful, I noticed they ride better.

If I could live with a short bed and that was my primary vehicle I'd also have my eyes open for the hybrid Ford eventually coming to the N America. If I did not have actual light truck needs often for a few years I'd be doing what I did for a while which was renting a 3/4 ton model when needed. As great as the 4th gen is, other Toyotas we tried were much nicer for commuting, parking, ride and handling. That doesn't mean these Tacomas are bad.

 

[reu2]

I went with the Limited Hybrid. I do a lot of highway miles and little Off-roading. I went with the hybrid simply because it’s performance. But it will need a battery replacement at some point. The Prius is a good indicator as the second gen Prius is coming of age and starting to need battery replacements at about 8-10 years. It’s a big expense and I’m not sure I would choose it if I was expecting 10-15 years of ownership.
However, it’s the only way to get Full-time 4WD In a Tacoma. Which really surprised me about the midsize truck market how few of them offer full-time 4WD. Which in colder climates is a huge benefit.
The limitation on bed size is also a concern, but for me not really an issue as I wanted it more to tow than to load massive amounts of materials.
To maybe help, shop upgrades on both vehicles. The limited will need a skid plate as it comes with a BS poly POS and no cross member for heftier plates.
off-road come with fuel consuming tires.
The trade-offs on one may change which is the most budget friendly based on your specific needs.

 

[Wife bought my 24 TRD]

Hi all, I am purchasing a Tacoma for my first time. I want a truck which i can keep for next 15-20 years. I wonder if there is any advice for picking between Limited and Offroaf Hybrid. I am no hard-core offload at all, just for daily run in and out. Someone told me off-road might cost more in term of services and maintenance... any recommendations will be much appreciated. Thanks all

For me, there's too much Chrome on the limited. That's what helped me make my choice. As well, I plan on heavily modifying high vehicle. S so I went with the OR Taco

 

[MRHAMR]

. If you're traveling down logging roads or camping off-grid, go for the Off-Road model.
[/QUOTE]

No disrespect, but I off-grid with my Limited and still have more off-road capability than I’ll probably ever need, only the drive to get there is a lot nicer;^)

 

[Dirt]

I've been buying the OR after several SR-5's. I do more "good road" driving than off road any more, but when I'm off road, it's often on rough, rocky, dusty tracks. I got the OR because it served that purpose better. Frankly, the Limited was too nice to scratch up and get dirty. I could get most of the extra options on the OR The hybrid is not something I would want to take off road only because of the extra technology that would be bounced around and get into the dirt, water, and mud. My dogs live on the folded down back seat so the under seat storage is important. I sold my Tundra before buying this OR so searched around until I could find a 6' bed. (That's another topic.) All said that Limited is really nice, the Off Road is nice, too, and serviceable for its intended purpose.

 

[Baltimore]

I went with the Limited Hybrid. I do a lot of highway miles and little Off-roading. I went with the hybrid simply because it’s performance. But it will need a battery replacement at some point. The Prius is a good indicator as the second gen Prius is coming of age and starting to need battery replacements at about 8-10 years. It’s a big expense and I’m not sure I would choose it if I was expecting 10-15 years of ownership.
However, it’s the only way to get Full-time 4WD In a Tacoma. Which really surprised me about the midsize truck market how few of them offer full-time 4WD. Which in colder climates is a huge benefit.
The limitation on bed size is also a concern, but for me not really an issue as I wanted it more to tow than to load massive amounts of materials.
To maybe help, shop upgrades on both vehicles. The limited will need a skid plate as it comes with a BS poly POS and no cross member for heftier plates.
off-road come with fuel consuming tires.
The trade-offs on one may change which is the most budget friendly based on your specific needs.

My LTD HV has the factory cross member, so not sure what you're talking about. Switched the heavy felt splash guard to the dense poly and totally happy. As far as another person's comment on the chrome, accept a few thousand more and you can greatly reduce it. I changed out mirror caps to factory color matched, changed tailgate letters from chrome to black, changed grill to heritage bronze, changed upper front bumper to custom.color matched (many just go to factory black), and changed out the wheels. The only chrome left on my truck are the 5 handles, and the IFM badging. Totally happy while getting all the perks of FT-4WD and AVS and the extreme level of sound dampening they do for the trim.

 

[reu2]

My LTD HV has the factory cross member, so not sure what you're talking about. Switched the heavy felt splash guard to the dense poly and totally happy. As far as another person's comment on the chrome, accept a few thousand more and you can greatly reduce it. I changed out mirror caps to factory color matched, changed tailgate letters from chrome to black, changed grill to heritage bronze, changed upper front bumper to custom.color matched (many just go to factory black), and changed out the wheels. The only chrome left on my truck are the 5 handles, and the IFM badging. Totally happy while getting all the perks of FT-4WD and AVS and the extreme level of sound dampening they do for the trim.

I hope ot has the cross bar. I know the non-hybrid is lacking it. I haven’t taken off the poly one yet myself. So you’re giving me hope.

Which one did you get?

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