2025 SR5 Critique

Just got my new 2025 SR5. I'll add to this thread over time. The first disappointment was the backward designed passenger grab or assist handle on the window post. In the past one would just grab the bar with the right hand and climb in. This thing is not a handle but a finger grip that can't be grasped with the right hand, its backwards. I had led people in design and always told them to try their invention before putting in production. My wife is petite and depends on getting into a high car. The Toyota running boards are narrow but work. Grabbing the assist thing with the left hand is backwards. I unbolted it and affixed a strap between the stupid grip and the window frame. Now it works like it used to in the past. I had the 2018 4Runner limited and maybe am not aware of the changes to Toyota. The map guidance system is a fee bast system now. Fortunately I am able to use my phone system via Blue Tooth to get guidance, though it causes other problems with trying to control the screen.

 

Can you share a pic of the grab handle?

 

The outside pic shows that it is not a handle but a finger grip. Hope that is clear.
pic

 

One would have to twist their hand to grip that thing with the right hand.

 

Wow. Designers really missed the bus on that one! Good grief!!

 

It’s a half-handle, and poor ergonomic design for sure. Hopefully Toyota adds a proper handle in future updates that might retrofit. In the meantime, I’d tread lightly with any custom alterations that might interfere with curtain airbag deployment.

 

No air bag in the window pillar on 2025 SR5.

 

Yes, that is correct.The A-pillar has clips underneath that are designed to release in order to make clearance for the curtains.

 

I must be a dunce but I don't understand what you are saying. All the 4runners I have had have wordage on the pillars that say caution airbag or some thing like that.

There are no wordage on the pillars

 

well thats the owners risk allowance if he wants to modify his vehicle (but i am sure MAYBE the insurance company will find a fault by owner and not pay out insurance if the airbag fails to deploy properly due to modifications). but just assuming there is no air bags along the A pillar in newer vehicles is up for debate since i am pretty sure its a federal requirement to have curtain airbags now a days in vehicles

if you dont think so here is the parts breakout of the all the airbag modules in the 2020 4R. note the top airbag module starting from the bottom of the A pillar extending all the way back to the 3rd row seats. i am also assuming the 2025 will have the same curtain airbag setup as the 5th gen.

https://parts.olathetoyota.com/v-20...cdb7pIqNpHhUZl9iQx3fOL_JraI305H8MoaSe51T03Iy-

 

here is the reference

head impact from side impacts requires a curtain airbag, so there will be a airbag along the A pillar to the 3rd row in most vehicles.

this is the big whopper of cost replacement since usually it is the biggest airbag to inflate. insurance companies love to total out a vehicle if too many airbags go off

 

6G airbags per the owners manual

 

This scared me for a moment. Thanks for the update and drawings. However, I am a good mechanic and the finger grab notch is screwed to the pillar. I simply removed the screws and placed the belt between the screws. So it does not effect the safety of the system. The dividend from this exchange is I now know my wife is protected by airbags I didn't know were their.
PS: The actuator is not in the pillar area. If I got sued I could have an expert testify that what I did had no effect on the airbag system and sue Toyota for the useless design. I used to get amused when I read a manual that has a page with "This page was left blank intentionally" written on it. With possibility of emulating that page: This is the last comment on this chain from me.