Quick test: 2020 Toyota Tacoma power raised seat

Hello,

I was at the Denver Auto Show yesterday and finally got a chance to sit in the new Tacoma with the powered raised seat. I also had power to the pickup! A true double miracle if you know about car shows.

I put together this video on the seat and wonder if I'm nuts in my conclusion of it being NOT the solution Toyota needs to address the seat problem consumers tell me they have when shopping the pickup. Take a look and let me know.

https://youtu.be/oCnq96KZDKw

 

I’m six foot 250 have no issues getting in or getting out of my 2016 Taco. “A” pillar and all. The day I test drove the truck was the last time I adjusted the seat. The bigger question is, how often in the coarse of owning a vehicle does one fidget with the seat?

 

I swapped my seat out long ago in my 2nd gen for one with more aggressive bolsters as well as manual height adjustment and I don’t have any issues getting in the vehicle, but I’m 5’9” and 150lbs. It’s always a head first, ass second into the truck with no issues.

The power seat at the end of the day is another feature and an additional way for Toyota to get people to shut up about the truck not having a power seat.

If this isn’t the way to solve the “seat issue” you mentioned, then I don’t know what is besides the end user compromising because their body type or preferred seated position doesn’t match the vehicle. It is what it is.

 

True. My fat ass has problems getting in and out and while I'm trying to solve my weight issue, I may not be a fan of getting into the the Tacoma until I do.

I personally think all the seats does is highlight the real culprit - the cab design.

 

I'm 5'7" I can get in and out of it pretty easy. I want to know if I can get one of these in my 2018, and if it bolts in and the seat heaters work. I would assume at most I need to wire my own 12v constant. I want to be able to lower the front so the seat is level.

 

I don't see why not. The cabin is the same and the seat bolts look like the exact same. Just need to order the part and, like you said, wire it in.

 

First, I'm impressed. I've heard from numerous other guys 6 foot and so who have had issues getting in. Also, Toyota told me they have heard complaints as well.

I don't fidget with the seat that much myself. It is my only after my wife drives a vehicle around do I have to adjust it back. Drives me nuts!

 

Cab design was a decision to maximize ground clearance while maintaining garage door clearance. There is only so much to work with. Maybe the Taco is not for you.

 

Just pointing out the issue more than anything else.

 

Thanks for posting the video.

 

Looks good, but yeah 6' and I have no issue jumping in or falling out of my truck, no really thenjoyed only thing I wish I had was a grab handle on the driver side, as opposed to using the steering wheel

 

Man....I would buy this truck just for the seat. Looks like the perfect solution. I have 1” spacers in the back, but would love more lift when technical wheeling (view over hood) and the ability to adjust the front. I’m 5’9” and have no problems getting in and out of the truck, including with 1” seat spacers.

Bravo Toyota for listening and offering the perfect solution. Hope I can retrofit it.

Thanks for the vid.

 

I am 6 foot & I do not need the seat to go higher but instead need it lower. Not to mention the steering wheel needs too telescope outward another inch or so. The driving position for ME sucks in the Tacoma but I’m used to it now. The 4Runner is much more comfortable for ME but unfortunately I need a truck.

 

Issue is that the Truck cab is designed for as much ground clearance as possible. Therefore the cab floor has to be high off the floor where the ceiling stays the same height.

 

Truth. They also want a low roof for wind resistance. The driver is sandwiched in the space that’s left.

 

I'm 6'1" 190lbs. No issues with getting in or out. No issues with seating position. I'm always comfy.

Long live the manual seats!

 

The next Tacoma definitely needs a larger cabin. Both in height and width.

For the life of me, I can't figure out where the interior space in these disappears to. The Taco is a large vehicle, but it almost has the interior space of like a Smart car. lol

 

I usually just step right into my truck without needing to grab for the steering wheel. Don't find myself ducking or anything crazy to get in or out, been driving Tacoma's for the past 20 years so maybe I am just used to how they feel.

 

Thanks for the vid, I appreciate the comments.

I guess I'm just used to the entry/egress now, so not a huge deal. Personally, if I were within a grid square of Mike Sweers I'd have a lot of other questions for him.

1. Who was responsible for the early production V6 engine calibration, and do they still work for Toyota?
2. Does he really think reverse should be higher sped than 1st in a manual gearbox?

Lol.

 

comparing it to the current seats where does the height fall. For example if the powered seat is at its lowest would this represent a 16-19 or is it kinda in the middle. What im wondering is if this will effectively allow you to set the seat lower than it currently is or higher than it currently is without spacers.