Even in its base L trim, the 2020 Toyota Corolla comes well-equipped, featuring full-speed adaptive cruise control and one-touch automatic up/down functionality for all four windows.
Yet, despite these modern features, it doesn’t have remote keyless entry. Instead, you have to insert a key into the door to lock and unlock it—an unusual omission for a car from this decade.
Strange, right? But even high-end models like the Honda Accord Touring don’t include one-touch automatic windows for all doors, and plenty of more expensive vehicles still lack that feature.
Toyota probably found it cheaper to give all trim levels one-touch automatic windows instead of adding remote keyless entry across the board. When you get down to the base trims, cars are built based on cost-cutting decisions to hit a certain price point.
@Vesper
No, Toyota intentionally leaves out features to make higher trims more appealing.
For example, the Prius Prime XSE has automatic headlights, which require a light sensor and logic to turn them on when it’s dark. The Prius Prime SE also has a light sensor, but instead of automatic headlights, Toyota added a system that just reminds you to turn them on manually.
@Porter
I’m sure a multibillion-dollar company is more focused on hitting a price point than playing psychological games to push people into higher trims.
Vesper said: @Porter
I’m sure a multibillion-dollar company is more focused on hitting a price point than playing psychological games to push people into higher trims.
This is how most consumer products work—phones, appliances, TVs, computers. Cars aren’t any different.
I’ve taken apart these cars and checked for myself.
That doesn’t prove Toyota intentionally gimps features just to make high trims look better. You get what you pay for—lower trims cost less because they have fewer features.
@Porter
I see your point, but cost-saving calculations probably play a much bigger role in feature decisions than marketing strategies. Now, if we were talking about VW, GM, or Ford, I’d be more inclined to agree.
@CorollaChris4
I’m a huge Toyota fan, but when they disable features that are already built into the car just to push higher trims, it’s frustrating. The infotainment system constantly reminding you to subscribe to their online service is another example.
@Porter
Yeah, that infotainment system is awful. I replaced the head unit in my RAV4 with an aftermarket one, and it’s so much better. Toyota definitely cuts corners on tech that should be standard by now.
@Porter
Unless the auto headlight system uses a different sensor, it’s probably just an extra wiring or software setting that Toyota disabled for lower trims.
Galen said: @Porter
Unless the auto headlight system uses a different sensor, it’s probably just an extra wiring or software setting that Toyota disabled for lower trims.
Exactly. Toyota leaves out small features that cost pennies to include. For example, the dashboard wiring is already there for notification lights, but they leave out a few LEDs to make higher trims look better. The rear light bar on the SE model doesn’t work even though it has the wiring—probably just missing a fuse.
Cars today come with so many more standard features compared to 15 years ago.
I remember doing pre-delivery inspections on base-model Corollas back in 2010. Some were special orders with only an automatic transmission—no power windows, no power locks, no air conditioning, and an AM/FM radio with no CD player.
My dad’s base-model Toyota Tercel had no frills—4-speed manual, manual windows, 78 hp, no right mirror, no radio. It lasted 26 years with no issues. Keep it simple, and it just works.
In Europe, the 1.2 Turbo Corolla came with a jackknife-style key, while the hybrids got a keyless entry fob. But this style key hasn’t been used in years.
