SR5 Premium or Venture Special Edition?

I plan to purchase a 4Runner next spring and I'm debating between the SR5 Premium and Venture Special Edition. Using a purchase plan program thru my employer, it appears there will be ~$3,300 difference between the two models. This will be my daily driver, and will eventually be used to tow a small travel trailer, as well as off-road fun whenever possible ... although not much of that available where I'm living now (Iowa). That said I do vacation in Colorado and other areas out west on an annual basis, so hope to play off-road whenever out that way.

Other than aesthetics (blacked out emblems, other black accents, non-functioning hood scoop, TRD wheels, and smaller Yakima roof rack), the real performance difference between the two models is the Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain functions, and locking Rear Diff. Due to where I live I'm not sure how much use I'd get out of those systems ... but I admit I absolutely LOVE the look of the Venture model!

So that leave sme wondering if I'm better off saving the $3,300 and customizing an SR5 Premium with TRD wheels, blacked out emblems, and a more functional 3/4 or full roof rack which I think can be done for $3,300, maybe even less?

That brings me to another question, are there specific online stores that are most recommended for quality custom 4Runner parts? Looks like there are good deals on OEM parts at this site ... https://www.*****************.com/

Thanks in advance for any help. Very excited to join the 4Runner community!

 

Welcome.

 

Welcome Kevin, new here too(long time reader).

I had a similar situation last week when I bought mine, torn as well... I ended up with SR5 premium, because I'm very familiar with A-trac, and think it's excellent. While locking diff is great(again, this I know), and terrain modes which I'm sure are fine, I believe I can drive better than those. I know thats a huge hot button issue, so I'm sure this will be disputed. Thats ok. Also, I'm not a rock crawler, more of a sand guy.

I put the black TRD pro wheels on and instantly made me happy. I definately won't give you advice on which to get, but wanted to share my experience.

 

Venture because we all know the fake hood scoop is necessary.

 

If you want the option of 3rd row seating, you have to get the SR5 Premium or step up to a Limited. I've never understood why they don't offer the 3rd Row in a model with a locking rear diff, but they don't.

 

2nd , venture the coolest.

In all seriousness if you plan to keep it a while go with the one you have your heart set on. Don’t always be wishing for the one you should have got.

 

Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated! I had a Xterra years ago for off-road fun, but no experience with 4Runners. Wish I could get the rear locker without Crawl and Terrain modes as I don't think I'd use them much ... of course I could be wrong on that.

Haha!

No need for 3rd row seating. The back will be used more for camping, biking, and hiking gear.

 

So I am a over analyzer and we just purchased a 2020 Venture with BSS great deal for 42k. We were between the TRD Pro and the venture. After looking at it, not worth the money for the Pro unless you are off roading A LOT. Now the venture worth it if you like the blackout, the TRD rims, and some other minor things. Spend the money on the BSS it is worth every penny. If you are casual off road guy perfect for highway and a way better ride than without. Tires are not that expensive, remote start easy and cheap to add, and we are putting a new grill with wench and light bar on the front anyway. Extra speakers are easy and holes are already there to add them. There is a skid plate, not "trd" but you can also buy for $365. If you buy the venture and made all the changes the pro has would not cost you 10k plus premium dealers are charging over list.

 

New owner of a 2021 Venture and love it for the daily-driver comforts. I’ll get it off road some time in the spring. Looking forward to trying the different off-road modes, but will honestly probably only use these a couple time a year. For that, I couldn’t justify the higher price of a Pro.

 

Being a new owner, and new to 4Runner and off-roading, I’ve got a lot to learn. What this about though? And BSS?

 

TRD Pro is not an option I'm even looking at. It's between the Venture and SR5 Premium (with upgrades) for me ... although I would love to have the JBL stereo system which sounds much better than the stock stereo!

 

Mine is too. That area is stuffed full of gear in mine 24/7. But, there have been a few occasions when those additional 2 seats have been a welcome option for me.

Just something to think about.

 

For your use, I would probably go with the SR5 unless you have your heart set on a Venture for some reason. If you're not going to use the offroad features, no reason to pay extra for them. You can always buy the TRD wheels aftermarket or from the dealer, and at the same time you can throw some good all terrain tires on them. Also, if you do decide that you need a rear locker, one can be added aftermarket later if you want. I think the crawl control and multi-terrain select are much less important. Even the SR5 has A-Trac which is quite effective.

 

The big thing crawl control can do from what I’ve seen is dig you out of sand. While I’ve used it playing around and it is cool it sounds like for what you need it’s not very necessary. So if you aren’t doing that type of off-roading it’s kinda a moot option. All the little visuals you want can cobble together pretty reasonably via aftermarket. The only reason to get a venture over an sr5 it seems for you would be to opt for KDSS suspension which people here who have it think it makes their truck a Supra or something.

 

Go with the Venture. Those extra off-road goodies help the vehicle hold its value, and it looks better. If you plan on keeping the car for a few years, that $3000 isn't a huge chasm.

BTW, I still can't figure out why they blacked out the entire Venture package but then added gray rims. They look cool on Gray 4Runners, but on Barcelona Red, White, etc, I think black would have pulled the package together better. One other thing- That roof rack on the Venture adds some serious height. Be certain it fits in your garage.

 

Starting to agree the SR5 might be the better option for me. I don't think I'd get much use out of Crawl or Multi-Terrain, and A-Trac would most likely be all I need. I can easily add black emblem accents and black TRD wheels for less than the $3k price difference ... not sure I'd bother with the black front bumper or rear spoiler. Paint color looks fine there I think. I'll have to price out the add-ons I would do and see what I can get for $3k.

Good points, and I don't think I'd bother with KDSS.

 

I guess the Venture could make sense from a "value holding" standpoint, but I'm thinking the SR5 Premium would do fine in that regard as well. I plan on keeping this 4Runner for a minimum of 6 years. I agree with you regarding the gray wheels ... I prefer black, especially with Red, White, or Silver colors. And good point on the rack, that Yakima is very tall! If I go SR5 I would probably go with more of a low-profile 3/4 or full length rack ... a more functional option imo.

 

I'd think you would like KDSS more than you think.

Drive one first.

 

So you guys are telling me that the TRD OR / Venture doesn't have any more off-road bits than the SR5 except for MTS, CC, and locking rear diff? What about more armor underneath? I thought the SR5 didn't have as many skids... Also, this doesn't matter to some, but an actual lever to operate the center differential is a huge bonus to me versus an electronic button that could fail at the worst possible time. I myself didn't even consider the SR5 for that one reason alone, which may be silly.. but the whole reason I bought a 4Runner was because it was one of the last surviving dinosaurs from back when they made cars to function and last as opposed to please simple minds then fail. That old school lever is exactly what I wanted in a truck.

To me the SR5 is just the cheap one. Which is okay. It's all most need. But there is certainly value in the TRD's.. it just depends really on if you'll actually do any semi-serious off-road driving or not! IMO, the guys that buy a brand new SR5 and then mod it out with rock sliders, heavy armor, etc. are kinda silly. Are all of those mods really better for off-road driving than a locking rear differential? Doubtful. But hey, something's got to pay for all that mall-crawler insta swag (SR5 savings, that's what). Meh, to each his own. Doesn't really matter, but that's my two cents. Sounds like an SR5 is all you need, and that's just fine.

 

All trim levels of the 4Runner hold their value extremely well. Yes, some a little more than others. I realize mine is only 2 years old, but I've been offered $400 less than what I originally paid for my SR5P.

 

If I didn't have a need for the third row, I'd most likely have ended up in a TRDOR. Granted, even THAT would've been a "poser" move, as I'm not a crawler, more of an explorer, and just the ability of hi/lo is good enough for me. Given how rocky it is here, though, skids/sliders wouldn't be a bad idea for peace of mind. Just because I can't lock it, doesn't mean I can't bash it.

There isn't any more factory armor on a TRDOR than there is an SR5, from the factory.

 

I debated back and forth between Venture and ORP as well. In the end I couldn't justify the extra cost for the Venture and didn't care for the roof rack.

I ended up getting a Midnight Blue Off Road Premium with the Gunmetal TRD wheels and then bought blackout logos and black valances all for under $500. Very happy w/it.

 

I think you'll regret not having the locking rear differential - years from now.
A rear locker was one of my requirements when I bought my 4Runner.

It's easier / cheaper to buy a 4Runner with a locker from the factory then adding a locker later on.

 

I'll admit, a locked rear is good for whippin shitties and a manual 4x4 lever looks cool. SR5 premium is still a 4x4(option of course), with the added low range a-trac that works great, even in crappy Wisconsin winter. And....really....how often does an electronic 4x4 dial fail on a modern Toyota...I'd guess as often as a retainer clip falls off a manual linkage. I like low effort dial 4x4 myself.

I've been wheeling my whole life in one form or another, like many, and if I was ever in a really bad way, a locking rear never got me out. A pull did.

I completly agree.

 

I don't know that it's necessarily cheaper, if that's the only thing that you want, however I do agree that it's definitely easier to just buy it from the factory. That's why I wanted a trail Edition, honestly I figured I'd hardly ever use the locker if ever, but I wanted it. And I knew that if I bought one without it, I would never get around to spending two grand or whatever to have one installed later on, I would never be able to justify that to myself.

Also, I really love having the manual shift lever for the 4-wheel drive. One other way to get that would be to buy a 2010 to 2012 SR5, they had it as well.

 

I hate to admit it, but the manual lever transfer case shifter and the rear locker are the two reasons I wanted, and got, the OR. The rest didn't mean squat to me. The fact that it had KDSS was just the luck of what they had on hand, and it's made me smile ever since...it made the suspension & slider installation a bit more of a challenge, but what else is one going to do sitting at home during the COVID mess.

 

Get the Venture! The wife’s came with the Pro wheels, it’s a great combination of off road and daily driver plus it’s one of the best looking packages. But I’m a bit biased

 

I spy Tundy !

 

I've always wanted the Venture, but after more thought and research I think the TRDOR might be better for me for what it doesn't have. I've never been a fan or user of moonroofs. When I am (stealth) camping I like to be fully contained and so the roof rack runs counter to that philosophy. A rack could indeed be useful at times, but if I ever needed one I could always get one later. Perhaps the lack of a roof rack may also improve mileage?? And like others have mentioned on this thread, I like the manual transfer case lever. Silly me.

 

Good eye!