SR5 Premium or Venture Special Edition?

Tundy doesn't fit in the 'compacts' spot!

 

Don’t forget that the venture roof rack is nothing special. It goes on and off easily and can be purchased separately. There are much more important things to consider, so don’t get distracted by the rack. Exclude it from the decision making process (same goes for emblem overlays).

 

It looks like yours (err, your wife's), came with black TRD wheels. I thought all Venture models came with the gunmetal gray TRD wheels. Did you make a switch after purchase?

 

If I do go with the Venture, my plan would be to remove the Yakima rack immediately after purchase and hopefully sell it. Then purchase a lower-profile style in the 3/4 or full length ... more functional for how I think I'd use a roof rack. Speaking of that, any roof rack models that a majority of 4Runner owners seem to go with?

 

Gobi seems popular. Pricey and a long wait, but that's what I would get.

 

Unless you really want to spend the extra for the black bits, I'd just go with an Off Road or Off Road Premium.
Check your local dealer's lot. I'm seeing lots of Off Roads with gray wheels standard and blacked out badges from the dealer.

 

This video on A-TRAC really has me leaning to a SR5 Premium. For 90% of my off-road use, I probably won't need more than 4L, but it sure looks like A-TRAC is a functional system that can get you out of a jamb. Much like you @HondaKen, I doubt I'll be doing much rock crawling, so I'm probably better off saving the $3,000+ with the SR5 Premium, and putting that $$ toward other accessories/mods that I'd get more benefit from.

That said, I really appreciate all of you that have taken time to reply and share your opinions ... all have been very helpful in my research! Thank you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LF7uZDoDjRM (A-TRAC)

 

Negative ghost rider, those wheels were what it came with when it came off the boat from Japan

 

welcome to the forum
did you get your ride yet post pic when you do no matter witch one you get your going to be very happy and get ready for Mods to begin
thanks for sharing this video @KevB

 

SR5 Premium vs. Venture (or TRD ORP) is a fair discussion. But Venture vs. TRD ORP is sort of moot. They cost, more or less, the same. A 3% difference in MSRP is so close that I would be more concerned with just getting a good deal on either model. It's just as likely that you can find a dealer willing to deal more, and get a Venture at dealer B for LESS than a TRD ORP at dealer A. That's what happened to us. Heck, they really cost the same around here because port-installed accessories frequently total over the $1500 price difference between a TRD ORP and Venture. It's like.. the tiniest little option (beyond a TRD ORP). Get a Venture if you like the black out look, wheels, floor mats. If you like the rack, awesome, that makes it an even better deal. If you don't like it.. you might just need it one day.. or you can sell it for a couple hundo. Cheers.

 

There are several Ventures and SR5's at my local dealer, but no Pro's at this time. I don't plan to buy till next spring, I'm just doing early research now ... and struggling more than usual with this decision! I don't think our local dealers discount much as they sell 4Runners quickly, but I do have a purchase plan thru work that should guarantee at least a decent discount off msrp. Regarding the "black out" look, I'm seeing quite a few mentions at this forum and others about the black TRD wheels being difficult to keep in nice shape ... something about the finish not holding up well. If that's the case, I may go a different direction for wheels. Maybe those stock 6-spoke alloy wheels aren't so bad, or the 7-spoke that come on the TRD OR models.

I can't imagine there's a significant performance difference between any of the stock wheel options?

 

The Off Road wheels are excellent wheels. Arguably the best of the OEM 4Runner wheels offered.

Recessed valve stem, they balance well, and are a bit wider than the Pro wheels (if I remember correctly).

 

Apparently some 2021 Ventures come with gray TRD wheels and some with Black because of supplier issues.

 

That's a great video!

However, for $755 over the SR5P gets you the locker in the Off Road.

 

Are the OEM Off-Road wheels available for sale online, or dealer-only? I see TRD (black and gray) wheels all over the internet, but don't think I've seen the OR wheels listed for sale ... and they aren't listed as an upgrade option for any of the 4Runner models on the Toyota site.

 

If I went with the Off-Road, I would still go Premium, which is $3500 above the SR5 Premium. Gotta have those Softex heated seats ... it gets chilly here in the northern Midwest! ;-)

 

After taking a closer look, I'm starting to think you're right regarding the Off-Road Premium being the best deal. With the package/accessories I hope to get, the ORP is only $1,265 higher than the SR5P using a purchase plan I have thru work. With that difference, I think I'd have to agree the ORP is the better deal, and will likely hold a higher value down the road.

Compared to the Venture, the ORP saves me almost $2,000 and it comes with wheels I actually prefer, and doesn't come with a roof rack I don't want (I prefer a low-profile design like the 3/4 Front Runner Slimline II). Really the only negative of the ORP for me is an aesthetic one ... I don't like the gray/silver bumper valances. From what I understand, front and rear black valances can be purchased for less than $500, and I think it's an easy DIY job.

 

Hey everyone, my first post and my first 4Runner! I was also going to get an SR5 premium, but then the wife saw the venture and that was it. I was surprised that it had the black trd wheels because the pics online showed it with gunmetal, which while ok, don’t really fit the blacked out theme of the truck. The black wheels really pull the whole look together. Whichever you get, I’m sure you won’t be disappointed.

The 3rd pic was taken at the dealer when I came to pick it up.

 

Great looking 4Runner! I definitely prefer the look with black wheels vs gunmetal, unfortunately all venture models I've seen locally have gunmetal. Congrats on the new 4Runner!

 

Thanks KevB. Sounds like it’s hit or miss on what wheels you get.

 

welcome and Congrats

 

Thanks!

 

In your particular case, using the locked price structured purchasing program, I agree that the ORP is a better value than the Venture (unless you really want every feature the Venture has, including the roof rack). Don't forget the rubber floor mats! lol

 

Love those black TRD Pro wheels on the white Venture! I'm biased but I like the gunmetal wheels more on red and black Ventures. Black does look better on white, silver, and blue though IMO.

 

you know they make Trd Pro wheels in Bronze just have to buy it later

 

I initially planned to upgrade whatever I bought with TRD Pro wheels, but the more I've looked ... the more I like the TRD Off-Road wheels. So if I go with the ORP ... that's one less upgrade/mod I have to do after purchase!

 

Howdy @Desmoface. Welcome from Arizona!

 

Thanks, Ironguy.

 

My wife and I just had the same dilemma. I know the sales manager, so we took home a Venture for a few days as I wanted to have lockers which she does not understand or care about. She wanted a third row seat since she occasionally hauls around several volleyball players. Since it will primarily be her car, she won. Went with the 2021 SR5 Premium, just got equipped with TRD Pro wheels, blackout overlays & I had the silver roof rails powder coated black. Happy wife=happy life.....