2020 TRD Pro vs Platinum

Merry Christmas! I was in a similar situation before ultimately choosing the platinum. I think it boils down to two very important factors. Will you be reselling the car in the future? TRD PROs hold value very well, and do you want a truck that’s already done up or are you open to modding? I went the platinum route for a few reasons, I enjoy modifying my cars, and I wanted all the comforts, better leather, tech that comes in the platinum. I bought King Shocks which members have said themselves are better than the Trd pro suspension, cost about $3000 after install. Wheels and tires were another $2200 after mounting balancing and alignment. Exhaust would be about $800-1000 for the Trd brand. All in all my truck costs more than a Trd pro, but that’s because it’s heavily modified. But if it’s just the exhaust, suspension/wheels and tires, you’re still under a Trd pro. I will say for a fact a platinum pro is better than a Trd pro. If you can get 8-9k off a platinum I think that’s a no brainer. 5-6k and you have a better truck than a Trd pro.

 

Sweet looking truck. That looks nice. Thank you for your thoughts! Yeah, I have a similar plan as to what you did. My 8-9k may be a little off but I am going to try to be aggressive given it is the end of the year. Appreciate you sharing the cost. I was originally thinking TRD Pro suspension but will look at King for sure as I hear about them a lot on the forum.

 

I went through a similar debate and landed on a Pro. In my market, the swing in dollars wasn't as significant - I was only finding like $2500 off Platinums. If I was faced with an $8k swing, I probably would've picked a Platinum. In the end, they are both great trims based on the same platform. There isn't a wrong answer.

 

I test drove the platinum before pulling the trigger on the TRD Pro. I just wonder what Toyota was thinking on the stitching on the platinum leather. That cross stitch made it look like an older person’s vehicle in my opinion. I had a 2010 Platinum Sequoia, and really the only creature comfort I miss on the 2020 TRD pro is the backup sensors on the bumper. The TRD Pro is my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. The only thing I would want changed is I wish the Crewmax bed was 1 foot longer.

 

I went with the Platinum and made my own Pro. At the time it came down to the interior, Platinum had more to offer for a lot less. Now I think the Pro has about the same stuff so it’s just comes down to price. I think the leather is higher quality in the Platinum but that’s about it. I would buy a Pro in 2021, they are pretty sweet right out of the box.

 

I love it wish mine were a little louder too!
Not sure about a platinum and extra stuff seems like i got a lot of options on my 21 luner rock for me the roof, heated seats and the seats themselves. Plus all the options i got seem good enough for me!
But hell if you got the money I guess you can add shit till u drop!

 

That’s what I was talking about, the new pros have most everything. In 18 they didn’t offer near as much as they do now. Maybe no ventilation on the seats but has heat in them.

 

Hell if the SR5 trail in army green or cement were available with the color match mirror bumpers and handles like they are now I would have gone that route over my platinum and saved money on the purchase to put towards other upgrades.

 

This is basically the decision my wife have to make (putting aside the desire for the RAM), Pro or Platinum. Recently we had an SR5 as a rental car for a long road trip and it killed both our backs and butts so we are really hoping the Pro is much better because if it isnt then it will be either a platinum or RAM. I have heard the Pro seats are about the same as an SR5 , hopefully not. As near as I can tell the 2021 Pro isnt missing too much that the Platinum has. Tomorrow we are going test driving a Pro and we will also look at the Platinum to compare. I like the idea of building a platinum (tires, suspension and wheels) just dont know if I want the hassle, expense and possible battle with the wife on spending money to change a brand new vehicle. Less to change on the Pro for me, mainly just tires.

 

True, but the couple grand you'll save on the platinum makes up for it.

 

the pro has a much better ride than the platinum. we were in the same boat buying our tundra. trying to choose between a 2021 plat and a 2019 pro (couldnt find a 2020 or 2021 pro).

the pro rides like youre on a cloud, very similar to a raptor on the highway. the plat feels like every other truck on the market from a ride perspective, bumpy and rigid.

i was looking at the RAM rebel as well with the airbag suspension and it too felt similar to the pro and raptor. very smooth ride. when i went to buy, i just didnt feel the reliability of the RAM was worth the extra 10 grand over a used pro.

 

It’s all about the VIN!!! It always has been and always will be.

For example the MKIV Supra. You can convert a NA MKIV Supra to exactly a TT but you will never get TT money for it. A MKIV Supra NA chassis costs $25k and a MKIV Supra TT chassis costs $70k. Same sheet metal, same paint, same assembly line....but one has a TT VIN and one has a NA VIN. You and I know they will drive exactly the same when converted, but to the enthusiasts, one will always be a TT and one will always be a NA on record.

Don’t forget, the 5.7 V8 will soon be discontinued. Get the Pro while the V8 is still available, and build from there. In the end, when it’s time to resell, you will be a happy man.

Good luck!

 

Can’t go wrong. I didn’t like the ride of the platinum with the 20” wheels and I wanted cement. If you can justify the cost I think the platinum is nicer and more comfortable once modified. If staying stock go pro.
I like the pro and will take some heat for this, but I don’t really get it. Has nice suspension, sure, but a long time ago I was into Jeep’s. Moving from a sport to a rubicon meant different transfer case, axles, gearing , etc. I understand people want pros, but it’s a nice suspension kit that you could buy and swap in an afternoon. Not a different animal than the sr5 or limited it’s based on really.

 

you get to a point in life where you want just a factory vehicle that will retain its value. there is a reason an sr5 or limited is valued at two thirds of the pro on the used market.

 

The leather, or the truck? You know you can get the 1794 in colors other than Mesquite Brown, right?

I'm probably going to put the Pro suspension on my Barcelona Red 1794.

 

I hear you. My point was really just that I don’t understand the TRD PRO or nothing mentality. It makes sense for some folks. I do need to point out that your claim of the TRD PRO resale value seems misleading or not fully qualified. An SR5 is roughly 2/3 the cost of a pro. It has less to do with a lack of holding value than initial purchase cost. PROs are highly desirable so there is something to that, but my 18 SR5 (crew max 4wd) cost 37k +tax (MSRP was 43+). People are paying mid 50s for the new Limited based PRO.
I like them a lot, but I’m not drinking the cool aid.

 

The brown grew on me over time. I read on here the 1794 referred to the fact that it took 1794 basketballs to upholster the vehicle

 

I am hoping the next gen Pro will be something spectacular and I will not be able to refuse getting one.

 

i dont think anyone said pro or nothing.

the resale value is based on the cost of the vehicle and depreciation. an example would be a nice SR5 runs about $45k MSRP. two years later that SR5 fetches $38k with an average mileage of 25,000.

add up the cost of the mods you did to the SR5, wheels, suspension, exhaust, exterior upgrades, etc and youre at roughly the cost of a pro. the difference is the cost of your mods you will never recover at resale and you lost the factory warranty.

the value of the pro cant be beat, imo. msrp $55k, two years and 25,000 miles later you can sell it all day for $50k.

 

Resell value depends on the buyer if you are dealing with a individual. They have to want the changes you made. Dealerships are just going to run the VIN I had the faux pro before getting a pro. The previous owner did the color match surround, grill and TRD exhaust. It wasn’t priced higher due to those parts. I added leather, bumper caps and a few other things. I didn’t get offered more because of it.
Before I got my truck I found a pro listed as a SR5 at a Ford dealership. When I called to negotiate they ran the vin and jacked the price up while I was on the phone with them. They changed the ad online within 15 mins.

 

I would have bought a 20 Pro if it were near me. But at the time, there was a 20 Platinum with TRD exhaust, intake, and shifter, so it was optioned pretty much the way I would have ordered it from the factory. NO regrets, when a I see a PRO I am stoked that someone gets to enjoy a sweet Tundra.

 

1794 Edition and Platinum are priced higher than a Pro new, yet the Pro sells for more than 1794 Edition and Platinum used. So, I think your point about initial cost may be moot.

TRD trim (not TRD accessorized) trucks will retain their value much better in the long term because they are built as TRD vehicles and not accessorized as TRD. Kool aid or not, the proof is in the pudding.

 

you are 100% right on this. I apologize if I’m spreading mis information. I was trying to address the statement that the SR5s (and limiteds) are 2/3 the resale value of PROs. PROs hold their value very well, no question and everyone that has one is fortunate and hopefully enjoys their truck!
I took issue because when I was shopping MSRP was not what was being paid. So while I appreciate what others have spelled out for me regarding how to calculate depreciation, if my trim cost me 37k and 2 years and 25,000 miles later the trade in value is 34-37 if you believe kbb ( private sale is up to 41). I don’t see that as 2/3 of the PRO in value retention.
Around me PROs sell for MSRP or more most of the time, but other trims are 5-7k off ( prices paid are invoice not MSRP). So the difference may not be as significant as it appears.
I’m not trying to argue or say one is right for everyone. I bought in 2018 so a new PRO was not an option. I did / do a lot of homework on what was available at the time.

 

I was weighing this same decision initially in my mind as well. I have a 2011 Rock Warrior (added heated leather seating). All the truck I wanted then and honestly the more I thought about it all the truck I want now. I just want a newer version. (If only they offered it as a pkg again.) I am actually now leaning toward an SR5 OR and adding the after mkt heated leather (much nicer than Limited model leather) and color matching/ black out all chrome, adding better tires, etc; in time. Not a bad choice out there, just one that fits your wants/ needs better. Buy the base model that has what you truly need/ want. Cosmetics, suspension, exhaust, etc; can all be added or changed out to truly make it your own.

 

I personally like the basketball interior. All that chrome though...

No question about that.

No dispute with comparing resale value though for those that keep their trucks the luxury features on the platinum (and 1794) not on the pro makes a difference IMO. There is a significant difference alone with the higher quality leather on the platinum (and sibling) IMO.

Once the shocks and wheels/tires are replaced I essentially have a platinum pro. The accessories I added when ordering my platinum still amounted to significantly less than what I would have paid for a pro given current offerings.

Also, I'm just going to come out now and disclose I'm not a fan of the fake hood scoop.

Edit: I should also disclose being in the "de-badging" camp. I prefer that "clean" look.

 

I have had fun with my 2015 platinum turning it into a pro. The last thing is the fox suspension. That is a big hit to the wallet. Keep in mind I went the used route. If I was buying brand new I might go with the pro. The thing you may miss is the side monitoring and vented seats.

 

There is nothing wrong with building a Tundra, no matter what trim it is. Ultimately, they are the same animal underneath all that flare.

I am only bringing up the resale aspect of the Pro because the OP might decide one day to get a newer Tundra or other truck, and having something that will retain better value for the long term is ideal in that situation.

Whatever Tundra you decide on, enjoy it! They are fantastic vehicles.

 

What kind of fender flares? How do you like those so far.

 

Bushwacker OEM style, they are just fine other than the fact they have cutouts at the bottom so you can retain the factory mud guards.

 

It was a simple choice in my case. I love vented seats and did not want to mess with an aftermarket option, so I went Platinum a couple of days ago. The Pro looks badazz though...no denying that! I don't really plan on offroading heavy duty in the Tundra (yet anyway) sine I have a lifted 2014 Rubicon for that. If I did not have the Rubicon, I MAY have bought the Pro.