What 20 yrs difference makes in interior
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Brian.
Member
Everyone has their own opinion, but once the "infotainment" screens started appearing, I started hating interiors. That Tundra interior is plenty enough to guarantee I'll never want one.
We just sold a 2018 Mazda with all the bells and whistles because none of them added anything positive to the vehicle experience. In fact, it was a source of stress, just waiting for them to break/fail once the warranty ended. The '99 4runner has taken its roll as my wifes daily... even with over 200k miles and 20 years older.
We just sold a 2018 Mazda with all the bells and whistles because none of them added anything positive to the vehicle experience. In fact, it was a source of stress, just waiting for them to break/fail once the warranty ended. The '99 4runner has taken its roll as my wifes daily... even with over 200k miles and 20 years older.
Devbot
New member
100% agree. The worst part is they're effectively mandatory, because backup cameras are required by law now (which in itself is full on ridiculous) and you need something to display it. And now automakers love them because it means they only have to spend half the time and money designing the interior, when they can just slap an iPad in and call it good.
What's interesting is Germany recently outlawed them because they were confirmed to be just as distracting if not more so than texting and driving.
One of my biggest gripes is when people call the 4Runner "archaic" or old school/outdated. Like how? Literally what is it missing - an amazon app on the inside??
Brian.
Member
My daily is a 2018 Ford Transit van.. no rear or side windows (past the front doors) so I 100% rely on mirrors and rear camera. Camera is a display within the rearview mirror.
It's the least obtrusive "new" dash I've seen... but I had to buy the base model to get it, and Everyone was pushing the packages for the added displays (2 options) so I could "see the camera better". 3 years on, zero issues or complaints with the display size (about 2"x3").
THAT, I can live with and find useful in the van. Have no desire for a camera (or display) on the 4r... you can see out if that just fine.
Some car brands do a passable job with dash design though. This is a VW Golf:
As for the 4r, my only interior complaint is that it's a REALLY long reach to the radio volume knob or HVAC controls. With auto HVAC isn't not a big deal, but I'd love some volume control on the steering wheel. Yes, I know about Sienna wheel conversion for just that, looking into it currently.
WhatThePuck
New member
my '99 has 223k on it (i've had it since January, bought it with 214k) and the previous owner put an aftermarket deck in it with the screen and everything, and that thing acts more faulty than anything else in that vehicle lol I'm looking to have it removed
Ha! I believe it.
TheSaturnV
Member
I put a double din Pioneer and backup camera in my 4R years ago. It's cleanly tucked in the dash and comes in handy backing up at night or to leave on when I have a trailer out back.
Still prefer the older interior.
Still prefer the older interior.
ToyotaBrah
Member
Planned obsolescence. In 5-10 years, that infotainment software will start to be laggy and difficult to use. The screen protruding out into the driver's line of sight is what really bothers me.
Take a look at the Corolla's screen placement. That eye sore is literally mounted on the dash:
Take a look at the Corolla's screen placement. That eye sore is literally mounted on the dash:
Romeo1
Member
I’m not sure how I feel about all this high-end display business in cars either. My 17 work tundra has a super glitchy Bluetooth that disconnects mid call all the damn time. My wifes 17 sienna is super awesome, and the kids (as well as dad for the peace it brings in my life)obviously love the huge ass Blu-ray screen in the back. But talking to the parts manager, that Blu-ray infotainment system is like a $4000+ part……
There is something to be said for simplicity. It’s going to be a real chore and labor of love keeping these high-tech machines going once they get to the 20+year mark.
There is something to be said for simplicity. It’s going to be a real chore and labor of love keeping these high-tech machines going once they get to the 20+year mark.
spartacus
Senior Member
That's really a complement to the longevity and reliability of the the 3rd gen. Comparing a two decade old vehicle DD driver to a new Tundra? Let's just wait another 20 years and compare it to the new vehicles in 2041 because the 3rd Gen will still be going strong.as DD for a lot of folks on this forum.
thezentree
Senior Member
That thing is awful. Yuck.
That's what I hoping for. Took me 20 years to hit 300K..Just now getting it broke in!!
The 3rd gen interior is classic and enduring. Sure it will look out of place in 20 more years, but I can almost bet it will all still be working as designed!
Salty4Life
New member
As people complain about the prices of new trucks, just look at how much more you get. The base package today would be at least mid tier 20 years ago.
Pyral
Member
You should see what the newest golf is like, the one you linked is the last generation and VW totally screwed up the new one. The new golf has the worst interior design I have ever seem (in terms of messing up basic stuff). Everything is a haptic button, the volume is a haptic slider and it is not backlit even at night. This sums the new Mk8 GTI interior.My daily is a 2018 Ford Transit van.. no rear or side windows (past the front doors) so I 100% rely on mirrors and rear camera. Camera is a display within the rearview mirror.
It's the least obtrusive "new" dash I've seen... but I had to buy the base model to get it, and Everyone was pushing the packages for the added displays (2 options) so I could "see the camera better". 3 years on, zero issues or complaints with the display size (about 2"x3").
THAT, I can live with and find useful in the van. Have no desire for a camera (or display) on the 4r... you can see out if that just fine.
Some car brands do a passable job with dash design though. This is a VW Golf:
As for the 4r, my only interior complaint is that it's a REALLY long reach to the radio volume knob or HVAC controls. With auto HVAC isn't not a big deal, but I'd love some volume control on the steering wheel. Yes, I know about Sienna wheel conversion for just that, looking into it currently.
