Why do I want the Premium Package?

[Bighorn Tremor]

I have a 1958. It came with the "must haves" that I wanted: heated seats and steering wheel, 18" wheels instead of 20", adaptive cruise (which I could live without if needed). The only thing it is missing, at least for me, is the stabilizer bar disconnect.

The non-power seats and the manual rear hatch took some getting used to. Haven't had such things in over 15 years. Reminds me of the way cars used to be. The standard cloth seats are surprisingly good.

A sunroof would be nice but not a deal-breaker. Happy not to have the coolbox as there is sparse storage space even with the console box. The one vehicle I owned with a coolbox rarely got it used, although it was handy to keep chocolate bars from melting in the summer heat.

I don't like the safety sensor stuff. There needs to be an OFF button for running through a car wash. It's a pain to turn the various sensors off and on again. Also, when towing a trailer, it is annoying. The instrument panel is easy to read, so I don't find a HUD a necessity. The smaller center display on the 1958 does what is needed. The larger one would be nice, but doesn't really add all that much. And I say that from owning another vehicle with a huge center display and all the fancy options.

However, if this was my only vehicle, I'd likely want all the premium features, except the 20" wheels, but that's fixable.

 

[LC - legz]

Hunting for a LCLC without the Premium Package or 20" wheels. The Premium Package in particular seems to be near-universal. For $4600, it seems awfully unappealing--very few features I would miss at all. Am I missing anything here? Any tips on how to find an LCLC without the Premium Package?

The more bells and whistles, the more expensive to fix, more to break. I got the 1958, because i like the headlights better + I swapped wheels and tires out anyways. IMO 1958 is the way to go, i mentioned this on another thread but you can do a lot of what the LCLC has (including adding leather etc.) to the 1958 if you want down the road. I've already started doing it and saved a ton of money because of it. I am also a big fan of less is more. i noticed that I never even opened my moon roof on my other cars not even once! so this time around i was happy to do without it. plus its the only car i have ever bought and not leased, and plan on owning for many years (hopefully). so to me it made sense to have less of things i wont use, or don't need. Cars today have to much crap in them. its the reason a simple rear end costs $8,000 to fix at the body shop. its gotten so out of control. Obviously this may be different for you, but just some food for thought. do you REALLY need the things being offered or available? Big difference in MSRP between 1958, and LC LC.

 

[Don]

The various sensor in premium work well, but the integration and control is laughable. I think the sensors work well enough that they are valuable for people more at risk for accidents. In particular they can reduce backing accidents.

I recently had the passenger side camera stopped working. The entire side mirror was replaced and the cameras recalibrated. Out of warranty I expect the repair would be $2K+. I should price the side mirror assembly.

The only upside of future repairs is that Toyota is good at long term reliability.

 

[2002250]

Hunting for a LCLC without the Premium Package or 20" wheels. The Premium Package in particular seems to be near-universal. For $4600, it seems awfully unappealing--very few features I would miss at all. Am I missing anything here? Any tips on how to find an LCLC without the Premium Package?

I used the Toyota website inventory to find my non-premium LC w/o 20” wheels. I had to travel out of state a few hundred miles but got a discount and the spec I wanted.

Why I didn’t go with the Premium package? I would rather have more storage than the cool box. The only thing I wanted from the package was the digital rear view mirror.

 

[Area 51]

Premium is at fault for helping me realize i was about to run over a precious 1 yr old puppy a few weeks back.
Backing out, they run the program out here at the Oasis, Premium sure paid ff there, that would be awful and PTSD all over again, unforgivable killing a precious puppy who loves me. Premium safety features can pay off.
The rest is just simply bitchen and fun.

 

[ReefVb]

Sunroofs leak

Premium is at fault for helping me realize i was about to run over a precious 1 yr old puppy a few weeks back.
Backing out, they run the program out here at the Oasis, Premium sure paid ff there, that would be awful and PTSD all over again, unforgivable killing a precious puppy who loves me. Premium safety features can pay off.
The rest is just simply bitchen and fun.

The Toyota Safety Sense features are all available on the LC LC as well

 

[TrailWhale]

After almost a year with my non-premium LCLC, I'm happy with my choice. I did not want leather, so the rest of the goodies did not really add up to make it worthwhile. I almost said "ok fine" for the premium when it was looking like non-premiums in blue/yellow were VERY rare, but then a couple allocations popped up for me. From what I gathered, I was the only waitlister at my dealership who explicitly didn't want premium.

(I have 18" wheels, plenty of premiums around here came with 18" wheels. It seems to be regional)

Here's my thoughts after a year on each of the premium features (that i don't have, so keep in mind that I might just not realize how awesome it is in real life!)

14-speaker JBL® * Premium Audio,
* I would have liked a bit better audio, but from all reports, the premium sound package is not a massive upgrade over the already pretty good LCLC sound system (which itself is an upgrade over 1958). I'm OK here.

illuminated entry
* I'm not entire sure what this is, there are door lights on the ground which don't matter to me, i think this is the lightup running board? Do not need.

Digital Key * capability,
* This actually seems cool, as someone who likes to do water sports. I would have really liked this. Although I don't know if it would have been subscription worthy.

power moonroof w/power sunshade,
* My LCLC has the moonroof. So that's $850 of the premium package right there. I would have preferred no moonroof, but it's nice sometimes.

center console cool box,
* I originally wanted this, but it does seem really annoying since there is very little storage space as is. Now I would say I am glad i do not have the cool box.

digital rearview mirror,
* This seems like a neat feature, but I'm ok with "just" a backup camera on a giant screen + 3 analog mirrors + the ability to turn my body and neck and look behind me. Also i have a bike rack on for 8 months of the year, so I expect that would have been bad? Or does the digital rearview have an additional camera? I could go either way, but I don't think i would want this.

Qi-compatible wireless charging, *
* I would probably have liked to have this, but I don't really like wireless charging in general (especially 3rd party charging devices). Carplay is more reliable when plugged in anyway, and with two drivers with two phones, plugging in is kinda convenient anyway. I generally only have my phone in the same spot where the charging mat would be.

leather-trimmed memory/power driver's seat,
* I'm still happy i went with softex. I have kids and i wanted no-maintenance durability. I do wish i had the leg extender, that looks pretty sweet. The lack of a powered passenger seat doesn't matter to me (or my wife).

Head-Up Display (HUD),
* Do not need. Sounds like it doesn't work with google maps, and I wear polarized sunglasses for 95% of my driving. Dash + display is plenty fine for me.

Lane Change Assist (LCA), * Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA), * Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) *
* Do not need, also don't like features tied to subscriptions.

 

[ratherberiding]

Sunroofs leak

The Toyota Safety Sense features are all available on the LC LC as well

Right. The 360 cameras are on my non premium and get daily use watching for my idiotic dogs.

 

[jbe2289]

After almost a year with my non-premium LCLC, I'm happy with my choice. I did not want leather, so the rest of the goodies did not really add up to make it worthwhile. I almost said "ok fine" for the premium when it was looking like non-premiums in blue/yellow were VERY rare, but then a couple allocations popped up for me. From what I gathered, I was the only waitlister at my dealership who explicitly didn't want premium.

(I have 18" wheels, plenty of premiums around here came with 18" wheels. It seems to be regional)

Here's my thoughts after a year on each of the premium features (that i don't have, so keep in mind that I might just not realize how awesome it is in real life!)

14-speaker JBL® * Premium Audio,
* I would have liked a bit better audio, but from all reports, the premium sound package is not a massive upgrade over the already pretty good LCLC sound system (which itself is an upgrade over 1958). I'm OK here.

illuminated entry
* I'm not entire sure what this is, there are door lights on the ground which don't matter to me, i think this is the lightup running board? Do not need.

Digital Key * capability,
* This actually seems cool, as someone who likes to do water sports. I would have really liked this. Although I don't know if it would have been subscription worthy.

power moonroof w/power sunshade,
* My LCLC has the moonroof. So that's $850 of the premium package right there. I would have preferred no moonroof, but it's nice sometimes.

center console cool box,
* I originally wanted this, but it does seem really annoying since there is very little storage space as is. Now I would say I am glad i do not have the cool box.

digital rearview mirror,
* This seems like a neat feature, but I'm ok with "just" a backup camera on a giant screen + 3 analog mirrors + the ability to turn my body and neck and look behind me. Also i have a bike rack on for 8 months of the year, so I expect that would have been bad? Or does the digital rearview have an additional camera? I could go either way, but I don't think i would want this.

Qi-compatible wireless charging, *
* I would probably have liked to have this, but I don't really like wireless charging in general (especially 3rd party charging devices). Carplay is more reliable when plugged in anyway, and with two drivers with two phones, plugging in is kinda convenient anyway. I generally only have my phone in the same spot where the charging mat would be.

leather-trimmed memory/power driver's seat,
* I'm still happy i went with softex. I have kids and i wanted no-maintenance durability. I do wish i had the leg extender, that looks pretty sweet. The lack of a powered passenger seat doesn't matter to me (or my wife).

Head-Up Display (HUD),
* Do not need. Sounds like it doesn't work with google maps, and I wear polarized sunglasses for 95% of my driving. Dash + display is plenty fine for me.

Lane Change Assist (LCA), * Front Cross-Traffic Alert (FCTA), * Traffic Jam Assist (TJA) *
* Do not need, also don't like features tied to subscriptions.

FWIW, the digital key can be had on any of the models with the subscription. Also, the LCA, FCTA, and TJA are on all models. Toyota listed them with the premium package I guess to make it sound like you’re getting something more for the money, you’re not. These are all part of TSS 3.0 and I have used the FCTA and TJA on my 1958. The LCA I have not tried and by all accounts is horrible and whips into the lane real fast.

I have no experience with the digital rear view mirror in the LC, but on the 6th gen 4R it is awful, so likely no loss there.

Qi just ruins your phone battery with heat.

And i believe the illuminated entry is light up Land Cruiser door sills.

 

[omgponies]

digital rearview mirror,
* This seems like a neat feature, but I'm ok with "just" a backup camera on a giant screen + 3 analog mirrors + the ability to turn my body and neck and look behind me. Also i have a bike rack on for 8 months of the year, so I expect that would have been bad? Or does the digital rearview have an additional camera? I could go either way, but I don't think i would want this.

I have the Premium and agree with your assessment(s) on all - the digital rear view has been useful for me a few times, but (for me) not enough to actually pay for it. I can't actually even recall when - I think when the car was very full and I couldn't see out (likely would have been just fine since I've certainly done just fine in the past in those situations).

Note the digital rear view is a separate additional camera from the one you get backing up - it is a better less fish-eyed one that sits up at the top of the rear glass on the inside. (whether that would see over a bike, no clue) It is a bit odd bc it is a different perspective than the normal one, so it takes some getting used to - not sure if worse or better, just different.

The only reason I got my Premium was that it was all that was available at the time in my state. I "just" wanted a 1958 and no features (no sun/moon roof, etc) - but at the time they were not available.

The one feature that I use constantly - literally every time I park - are the 360 cameras. But apparently those are not premium (are they on the 1958?) - they are the only thing I would miss on my car of the "fancy" stuff.

 

[ReefVb]

I have the Premium and agree with your assessment(s) on all - the digital rear view has been useful for me a few times, but (for me) not enough to actually pay for it. I can't actually even recall when - I think when the car was very full and I couldn't see out (likely would have been just fine since I've certainly done just fine in the past in those situations).

Note the digital rear view is a separate additional camera from the one you get backing up - it is a better less fish-eyed one that sits up at the top of the rear glass on the inside. (whether that would see over a bike, no clue) It is a bit odd bc it is a different perspective than the normal one, so it takes some getting used to - not sure if worse or better, just different.

The only reason I got my Premium was that it was all that was available at the time in my state. I "just" wanted a 1958 and no features (no sun/moon roof, etc) - but at the time they were not available.

The one feature that I use constantly - literally every time I park - are the 360 cameras. But apparently those are not premium (are they on the 1958?) - they are the only thing I would miss on my car of the "fancy" stuff.

The cameras are invaluable for parking. New tech on this LC is mind blowing

 

[Don]

I have no experience with the digital rear view mirror in the LC, but on the 6th gen 4R it is awful, so likely no loss there.

It works well from my experience. It's useful when the back is packed and blocking the rear view. Otherwise there is not better than the regular mirror.

It would probably also work well with taller people in the second row.

 

[uraniumrich]

No tips unfortunately, they were almost non-existent while we were searching. We didnt want the premium package but now that i have it I'm glad we did. For what you get, is worth the extra i feel.
Edit- i dont like the coolbox at all. That's the only negative- they should give you a rebate for having to live with it (consumes what little storage is available).

The cool box - the answer to the question no one asked.

I did pick up the perfect tray for the cool box for just $16 on Amazon. At least the cool box is a little more useful now! This tray includes the silicone insert in the bottom of the tray to keep things from sliding around and making noise. Perfect.

 

[jcdeng]

I bought the 1958 for 2 reasons, round headlights and no sun roof.

 

[ratherberiding]

The cool box must be a Toyota thing. I had one in a 1988 4wd LE van, remember those?! Sadly no pics handy, sold it in 1995 before the digital picture age.

 

[Meteor1]

No but it will display Apple CarPlay directions. Probably display Android Auto too.

It does not display Android Auto maps.

 

[RUN-8]

It does not display Android Auto maps.

It doesn’t display the whole map for Apple CarPlay either, just direction arrows for upcoming turns.

 

[Lupo Cinereo]

does Premium package come with leather? I want SofTex, and as I'm configuring my order through the Toyota associate portal, it seemingly allows me to choose Premium as well as Softex - or is this just going to get rejected after I submit?

 

[MSINAL]

does Premium package come with leather? I want SofTex, and as I'm configuring my order through the Toyota associate portal, it seemingly allows me to choose Premium as well as Softex - or is this just going to get rejected after I submit?

My premium came with java leather. Not sure if that was an option.

 

[jbe2289]

does Premium package come with leather? I want SofTex, and as I'm configuring my order through the Toyota associate portal, it seemingly allows me to choose Premium as well as Softex - or is this just going to get rejected after I submit?

I believe that only the driver seat is leather with the premium package. If you want leather throughout you need to go aftermarket.