3rd Gen: Tacoma with Luxury Options?

Ok, so go easy on me. I know that out trucks are built to be rugged and do "man" things. I like to wheel a from time to time and have done various mods.

HOWEVER, I just purchased a 2011 Highlander Limited for my wife. I can't help but be a bit annoyed I didn't have anywhere NEAR as many possible options. I'd love to have the option for factory leather, sun-roof, GPS (though I probably wouldn't opt for it), etc.

I know that the Tundra has many more options. Problem is, I'm 5'10" and for some reason, just don't feel right in a full-size pickup. So what gives?

If they released the 3rd Gen in 2013 (I have no idea when it's due out - have been out of the loop for a while if it's been announced) with such options, I MIGHT even consider trading in my 2010. Maybe the grass is just greener, but options would be nice.

 

I see what you are saying. However, I love my base model 4x4 - nice and simple

 

Leather would be a nice option. It is just so much easier to keep looking and smelling nice than cloth. A sunroof would be nice too. But I am very glad Entune was an option. It definitely enhances the truck to have that much electronic functionality.

 

Manual t-case!!!!!! I hate electronic shift crap!

 

I'd be happy with some FUCKING HEATED MIRRORS

WTF TOYOTA ?

 

Agreed! I hate waiting for the computer to think it is safe to go into 4x4.

 

I just traded in my 2006 Honda Ridgeline RTL for a 2012 Access Cab TRD Off Road. The Ridge was like a luxury truck, but am I missing it?? Nope. Some of the "luxury" touches it had:

Heated leather seats: yeah, I might be missing those when the temps start to get colder, but for now, no.
Heated mirrors: that's one option I'd like back.
Navigation: hardly ever used it. I will probably buy a Zumo that I can use both in the truck and on my Harley.
Sunroof: Never used it much. Don't miss it.
Power seats: why? I'm the only one that drives my truck. Set the seat and forget it.
Dual zone auto climate control: dual zone no big loss, I don't have passengers often who might want a different setting. The auto part? Really, how big of a deal is it to adjust the heat every once in a while?

One thing my Ridgeline had that my Taco does:
Sirius/XM: I probably won't use it beyond the trial period unless I can piggyback it onto my wife's account for only $5 or so a month.

Some things the Taco has that the Ridgeline DIDN'T:
Rear backup camera: YEAH... that's the shit!! I love it!
BlueTooth: Again, a big thumbs up! Handsfree phone usage finally... and the sound quality is very good.
USB port: I could plug my iPod into my Ridgeline via an AUX jack, but had to have a power cradle for it (if I didn't want the battery to die) and had to navigate tracks, etc on the iPod itself. With the Taco, the iPod is powered and can use the radio to navigate tracks. Definitely and improvement.

Overall, I am not missing the Ridge, and have gotten better features that, for me, are more useful.

Sorry for the long post

 

Maybe it's because I still have that new car smell, and also the fact that I traded in a 14 year old Ranger, but I feel like I'm driving a luxury vehicle in my 2012 DCSB. Sure, a sunroof may be nice, but around here it's usually too hot, cold, rainy, or humid to use it, so I'll miss it in May. I admit I would have opted for heated seats, and I know they can be added, but I'm not crazy about having to rip apart the seats to have them installed. Maybe in January I'll change my mind. I park in a garage at home and at work, so the lack of heated mirrors is not a big deal to me. I didn't even get the nav, I prefer it mounted to my windshield in my line of sight, and I can set up the destination in the comfort of my home before a trip.

So I gained XM, bluetooth, USB, backup mirror (which I love), and a comfortable ride, I call haul my bikes, and I can seat 5, so not much else I need.

As for the 3rd gen, since they did the 2012 refresh, I would expect several years until the 3rd gen comes out. Some have commented that it wasn't much of a change, but it is still a truck, how much could they have changed the back end?

 

I would like to have auto rear window.

 

I agree 100%! We really need them up in the great white north

 

^this^

Even my old Isuzu Trooper had heated mirrors. They were great.

 

leather heated seats

heated mirrors

power seats

power rear window

maybe i just need a tundra

 

Things I would have actually paid for:

1. Heated seats
2. Power seats
3. Leather seats
4. Heated mirrors
5. Programmable garage door opener
6.
7. Factory tailgate lock (though that was an easy upgrade)
8. Push to start (not certain I'd pay for this)
9. Climate control (dual or triple would be a bonus)

There might be a few more, but those are probably the highlights.

 

This.

And a heated steering wheel.

 

I think lexus should make a luxery tacoma, call it the Lexicoma

 

With options goes up price. I like that Tacomas are sort of the last real trucks out there.

 

Coming from a BMW to a Tacoma I wouldn't mind some more luxury options but then again I bought a 2006 tacoma so it doesn't have as many bells and whistles as the 2012.

One thing I know I am going to miss is my heated seats, will probably get some seat covers with heaters in them though. Also I miss that everything in my BMW was push button (heat/AC, radio controls) I just am not a big fan of knobs.

One thing Toyota should look into for their trucks is leatherette seats, had them in my BMW, no one could tell the difference between them and real leather and they were rugged as all hell. Granted I took care of my car, but after 7 years and 100k miles the seats still looked brand new, so much better than leather.

 

don't the ridgeline's have rear cargo light too?

 

Last "real trucks"? You can get any truck without all the upgrades. That's why they're upgrades. We all love our tacos but there are certainly other REAL trucks out there IMO.

 

Sure to some extent there are others, thats why I didn't say they are the only real trucks.