Minor annoyances with Toyota tech (compared to wife's Honda)

Just a quick vent with no real agenda, so here it goes...

We bought our first new car a while back in 2018, a Honda CR-V Touring, and driving a 2006 Mitsu Montero at the time I was in awe of the safety features and tech bits.

So when I got a new Tacoma I was excited about all the new tech to match the Honda but quickly realized Honda put a little more thought into things. Toyota seems to just do good enough with the latest features.

Examples:

Remote start: For starters, subscription based? Lame. But also, Toyota shuts the engine off when you open the door citing security reasons. The Honda stays on, but if you try to shift out of park without first hitting the start button inside with the key it will shut down. This seems like such a better way with the same results.

Adaptive cruise control: Toyota cancels it under 30. Honda is able to come to a complete stop and go.

Lane assist / warning: Honda keeps you in the lanes, Toyota beeps at you if you touch a line. Toyota beeps at you for literally everything

Android auto: Honda puts the USB in the center console, Toyota blocks your passengers cup holder

Back up camera: 2001 called and wants its 480p screen back. Honda bends the lines to show me where I'm going and has three different angles

Led lighting: Honda put them in the headlights and taillights and auto brights work great, Toyota just assumed headlights were good enough. And I literally had to text my neighbor the other day and apologize for flashing my brights at him constantly while behind him in the neighborhood.

Honda: offers eco mode. I saw a 2mpg gain on a trip with it on, Toyota offers... ETC. I get it that its a truck not an 1.8l compact suv. But still.

Anyways this is my third Toyota Truck and I couldn't imagine another vehicle that better suits my needs. Given the option, I always drive the Toyota, but I still get a little jealous of Hondas engineering everything we take the CR-V. And no, I don't want a Ridgeline.

 

Well, just in contrast what does the Tacoma offer you that the Ridgeline does not for your own needs? I think you have summed it up well the other way. Since everything cost money, Toyota has set the current level (or perhaps limit) on the 'extras'. You (and all of us) still bought it though.

 

Should have bought a Ridgeline.

or switch with the wife, maybe she’ll complain less.

 

Comparing a loaded up CRV Touring to a Tacoma

I wonder if the CRV forums have folks comparing their’s to Tacomas.

 

I have none of this crap in my 2017, thank god.

 

Comparing a Tacoma to a CR-V? Just sell the Tacoma and buy a Ridgeline. Sounds like you are a Honda guy at heart!

 

What's so bad about a guy pointing out where the Tacoma could have been better? I absolutely love my truck, but wish things were done a bit better (I have the tech and premium packages from Toyota, so technically my truck is optioned out as well).

And I wouldn't drive a Ridgeline if someone gave me one...minivan truck.

 

Because he is comparing a loaded SUV to a minimalist truck. Now if he was comparing a Ridgeline to a Tacoma it would have slightly more merit. Slightly.

 

I have a loaded Tacoma that has all the same features as that loaded SUV - just the SUV did them better.

 

And at what cost in terms of more money and reliability?

 

But you NEED a Ridgeline especially based on your comments. I need zero of those features you mentioned above so to me... I truly don't care.
My wife has a new CRV touring also. I did not pick it out. I did not test drive it however I paid for it. I'm sure it's a good car but I have YET to drive it other than moving it out of my way in the driveway. I have a new Tundra which I drive. My wife drives it if I drink too much.
You need a Ridgeline I'm sure.

 

Lol. Not really a brand loyalist though. I chose the Tacoma for reliability, offroad capability, and resale value to name a few reasons.

 

Apologies if I'm misunderstanding you here. Are you saying that since the Taco is more reliable then said SUV that I shouldn't expect Toyota to move the USB port to a more convenient location?

 

I was wondering when I read this how long it would take the Ridgeline guy to show up, and not long at all!

I get the annoyances that the OP has. Many are driven by the legal department and not the engineering. Turning off the motor is a legal issue. I'm sure someone surmised some situation that someone could kill themselves because people in general are not smart. Other features are more of convenience. I am sure there are things on the Honda that suck as well.

 

I do agree with you in terms of some of the tech and features. But I also believe this is how Toyota keeps it reliable. You should have seen how much features I lost just to simply have a manual transmission lol. All in the name of reliability I tell myself.

 

I did not state the USB in particular. Who knows the engineering behind it. Could be built in a certain configuration due to cost and or reliability etc. I don't profess that the Tacoma is perfect but there are reasons why we can buy a Tacoma for what we do.

 

dude. You forgot VTEC. How could you forget THE ALMIGHTY VTEC.

That right there is enough to make a grown man pick honda over toyota.

 

Oh I agree completely, I was just using it as one example of OP's post. Very valid feedback and something I agree about. Not like I'm going to go complain to Toyota or anything, but when talking about these trucks on a forum seems like the perfect venting spot for something so simple yet annoying.

 

Wish away man... but why come to an enthusiast's forum and wish publicly?
I wish I were younger but I don't go to a fountain of youth forum.

 

Why not have a discussion about it? That's the whole point of a public forum after all and seeing as this forum is all about Tacomas, seems like the perfect place to have said discussion.