2005 LE one year review

[lorennerol]

I've had my 2005 LE for just over a year now. Here are some thought relative to the 1995 SR5 I had before:

Pros:
- Heated seats. Nice on a cold day!
- Heated side mirrors.
- Keyless entry.
- Idiot-proof interior lights: No more dead batteries.
- Turn and release starting.
- Auto-locking/unlocking doors.
- Five speed automatic.
- More horsepower, same mileage.
- Automatic climate controls.
- Quieter moonroof air dam.
- 110V outlet.
- XREAS: Nice handling.
- Auto-on/off headlights.
- Tire pressure sensor.
- Nice big side mirrors (but see below).
- Auto-dim rear view mirror.

Cons:
- Rain gutters? I live in the drippy Pacific Northwest. If the roof is wet when I open any of the doors, windows, or the rear hatch water drips into the vehicle. This is simply moronic in my book.
- Space. Simply put there is less usable space in the 2005. I could sleep in the back of the 95, but not the 2005. The fold-flat front seats are a nice idea, but it would be better if they created a sleeping surface that is actually flat.
- Wheel clearance is lame: Come on now, can't even put chains on the front end? Give me a few more inches, especially in front please.
- Widgets: DAC, for example. Does anyone actually use this?
- Lumbar support. I'm very average at 5-10, but it's in the wrong spot for me.
- Rear door seals inside wheel wells.
- Turn signal indicators are blocked from view when the steering wheel is tipped all the way down.
- Driver door sill is uncomfortable for resting my arm when driving left handed.
- Did they run out of chrome in Japan?
- The passeger side front roof pillar, combined with the large side mirror blocks a lot of the view. I've had a couple near-misses as a result.
- Only three keys at a time? This is a dumb limit.
- 1" (10%) less ground clearance.
- Less comfortable headrests.
- Memory seat positions (okay, not on the 2005, but added for 2006).

The 4Runner seems to be drifting away from truck toward car. I wish they'd let the Highlander fill that role and left the 4Runner closer to the Tacoma.

L