Refreshingly Simple Climate Controls - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

Edmunds.com

Refreshingly Simple Climate Controls - 2016 Toyota Tacoma Long-Term Road Test

When it comes to climate controls, our 2016 Toyota Tacoma has a setup that's as simple as they come. And that's not necessarily a bad thing.

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kirkhilles1

Can't disagree with simple controls. I wonder if someday we'll have a hybrid where they have little screens and to where you can customize that features are tied into a button or switch. That'd be a pretty awesome version of both worlds.

schen72

I know the luddites here will laud the simple manual controls, but I personally prefer automatic climate control. In most cases, I just hit "auto" and let it do its thing. Only on rare occasions do I have to override it.

desmolicious

To sum up, three simple knobs that feel cheap and plasticky in a $35K mid size pick up truck.

darthbimmer

I like the simplicity and direct control of a three-knob HVAC setup. My Xterra has a similar arrangement. In the X, though, the knobs have a durable feel to match their industrial look.

stovebolter

Add another vote in favor of nice, simple controls. Toyota has done this well for years, at least in there base models. And while I fully understand those who have and enjoy a GOOD automatic system, my experience with them has been less than stellar - particularly as they age and sensors fail.

@ schen72: preferring simplicity doesn't make one a luddite, by the way. I'm all for whatever fancy technology people want being an option in cars - I just find that it doesn't enhance the experience for me.

5vzfe

Two reasons why I prefer simple A/C controls: I like to have cool air blowing on my face pretty much all the time, and also because often times more sophisticated units usually have you set a temperature setting and I have no idea what to set them at. Maybe I am a luddite, because growing up I never had air conditioning in the house, only in the car. But even then only if you were lucky enough to be driving or in the front passenger seat. I don't know if I want 75 degrees or 68 degrees, but I know if I'm cold, I'll reduce the temperature/fan speed and if I'm hot I'll do the opposite. Yes, automatic systems can do that as well, but three dials or knobs are every bit as effective.

allthingshonda

Count my vote for automatic systems. Set your preferred temperature and that's it. Summer or winter my system rarely is changed from 70. Disappointed in the cheap feel of the controls. Toyota and Honda both had controls that had a solid well built feel decades ago that felt far better than what the car cost. Adjust the fan speed or press a button and you could feel the click in your fingers.