Some improvements Toyota should make regarding the keyless entry system and physical

So with the push-button start 4Runners, there is a physical key in each fob so you can manually lock/unlock the vehicle. However, this physical key is rather puny and kind of flimsy, and you have to exercise some caution when turning it to lock or unlock the door as the door lock takes some oomph to turn and you don't want to eventually snap the key from too much strain.

Anyhow, my father today bought a 2020 Acura MDX, and like my 4Runner, it has a push-button start and keyless entry/exit system with a manual key in each fob. But Holy Crap, what a key! Much thicker and more heavy duty-seeming. Just seems Toyota cheaped out on the physical key for the 4Runner. I know this is a minor nitpick, but just strikes me as ironic how his MDX, which is a crossover that looks like you'd have to be gentle with it on a gravel driveway, has such a muscular, robust physical key whereas the big and brawny 4Runner has such a weak key.

The other thing I am curious about is to lock the door on the 4Runner from outside (aside from the fob), you put your finger onto a spot on the door handle, which has a sensor in it which will then lock the doors. The MDX, however, has a physical button on the door handle that you press with your thumb. The thing is, to me at least, the button design seems simpler and makes more sense. The sensor can be finicky and take a second or two to "read" you, whereas a button is just a press it and you're done thing. Why would Toyota not add such a button? Is the sensor just cheaper or something?.

The key is the lamest, cheapest feeling key I've ever had.

As far as the button for keyless entry, no. Those buttons are hideous and feel cheap. The touch sensor work great for other makes. Toyota just has a really hard time with software

I have never needed to use the key inside the fob. The touch sensor works great as well.

BlueRunner428 said:

The sensor can be finicky and take a second or two to "read" you, whereas a button is just a press it and you're done thing. Why would Toyota not add such a button? Is the sensor just cheaper or something?.

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I’ve found that the sensor reads you immediately, but there’s a delay before the doors lock. I put my finger on the sensor and start walking and I’m 10 feet away before the doors lock. As to the physical button on the MDX vs the groove of the Toyota door handle, Toyota’s version is absolutely waterproof.

An Acura level of product is totally different then a Toyota level of product. Comparing Acura to Lexis would be a better comparison.

That said a key that's maybe used 1-2 times its entire life doesn't need to be super heavy duty. But I agree Toyota could step up there game.

Ripper238 said:

An Acura level of product is totally different then a Toyota level of product. Comparing Acura to Lexis would be a better comparison.

That said a key that's maybe used 1-2 times its entire life doesn't need to be super heavy duty. But I agree Toyota could step up there game.

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I use my key almost everyday, twice a day in winter when I go out to start the vehicle to warm it up before and after work and before work to get the interior nice and cool for me when it's like 85 degrees out or hotter. Also I understand Acura is different quality regarding the vehicle itself, but I'm not comparing the luxury features in the Acura versus the 4Runner, I'm comparing the keys.

I have read though that build quality-wise, the 4Runner actually is a Lexus, just marketed as a Toyota and with Toyota level luxury. But the 4Runner is built with the Lexus SUVs at the Tahara plant in Japan by Takumi workers. The quality of the parts supplied by the subcontractors may be Lexus level as well, not sure about that.

It is too bad Elon Musk and Toyota had a falling out (Toyota early on wanted to actively help Tesla) as then maybe Teslas could have better build quality and Toyotas much better software, as Tesla is pretty world-class in their software from what I understand (they're like a tech company that makes cars).

Captain Spalding said:

I’ve found that the sensor reads you immediately, but there’s a delay before the doors lock. I put my finger on the sensor and start walking and I’m 10 feet away before the doors lock. As to the physical button on the MDX vs the groove of the Toyota door handle, Toyota’s version is absolutely waterproof.

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I see, I'll have to try that. Good to know about the waterproofing.

Captain Spalding said:

As to the physical button on the MDX vs the groove of the Toyota door handle, Toyota’s version is absolutely waterproof.

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Waterproof yes, but when I wash my car, with the key in my pocket nearby, the car will lock or unlock when my hose hits the sensors. I've learned to leave my key in the house when I wash my car.

Does it do it when it rains?

I've washed a lot of pushbutton start Toyotas and never had that happen?

I just made a deposit on a '23 TRD Off Road Premium w/KDSS yesterday, so we'll see what happens the first time I wash it - sometime in mid to late July when it gets here. It's taking the slow boat to the east coast.

fkheath said:

Waterproof yes, but when I wash my car, with the key in my pocket nearby, the car will lock or unlock when my hose hits the sensors. I've learned to leave my key in the house when I wash my car.

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Mine too. Our Sienna does the same thing.

You can temporarily disable the radio in the key.

johnbt said:

Does it do it when it rains?

I've washed a lot of pushbutton start Toyotas and never had that happen?

I just made a deposit on a '23 TRD Off Road Premium w/KDSS yesterday, so we'll see what happens the first time I wash it - sometime in mid to late July when it gets here. It's taking the slow boat to the east coast.

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It’s when you have your keys with you that it happens.


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As far as I am concerned Never had a problem with my 05 n 08 runners with a actual key and fob.

The keyless thing is BS!

MDX's approach of using a physical button on the door handle does offer certain advantages over a sensor-based system. While sensor-based systems can be convenient in some scenarios, a physical button provides a more immediate response, eliminating any potential delay or finicky behavior associated with sensors. Toyota could consider incorporating a physical locking button alongside or instead of the sensor to provide users with a more reliable and straightforward locking method.

It's possible that they opted for the sensor-based system due to lower costs or perceived benefits at the time.

johnbt said:

Does it do it when it rains?

I've washed a lot of pushbutton start Toyotas and never had that happen?

I just made a deposit on a '23 TRD Off Road Premium w/KDSS yesterday, so we'll see what happens the first time I wash it - sometime in mid to late July when it gets here. It's taking the slow boat to the east coast.

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I believe there needs to be a line of physical contact between the fob and the handle. I've had winter gloves stop the connection.

While I have the key in my pocket, I can touch my kids left hand while they touch the door with their right hand and it will unlock, but with out me touching their hand it won't unlock.

Anyway I can program the Fob to work on my wife?

Comparison to Infiniti

Hi All, First post, but longtime lurker. I just came off 15 years of driving Infiniti G sports sedans. They are very solid cars and lots of fun to drive. Naturally aspirated and no giant computer screen, just 328 HP and AWD. There were a few features I really liked and miss now that I have my '21 ORP - one of these is the keyless entry system.

Infiniti's key fob is oval shaped and narrower than the 4runner's. It was perfect for slipping into your front pocket and took up almost no space there. I would want that shape again.

I second the vote for waterproofing. Seems like a very off-road-friendly feature to have. Truthfully, I half expected it when I first bought my 4runner.

To open, I just had to have the key near the car door (1-2 feet) and pull the door handle out away from the car. It instantly unlocked as I pulled and opened without hesitation or glitching. I don't love the sensor, which is less reliable.

Also, I would like a remote trunk pop (not open). My Infinitis would not open the trunk all the way when I pushed the trunk button, just open it enough for me to easily get my hand under it and lift it to open (2-3"). The 4runner could use this too.

My ORP does this weird rapid horn honking thing (maybe 5 times) when I approach it with the keys in my pocket before I have pushed the button. Does it think my keys are left in the car? Not sure. Would love to know more about this loud and annoying "feature". It wakes up my neighbors occasionally and sounds startling when it goes off in parking areas. So, I vote to get rid of that, whatever it is