I suppose they'll change the cigarette lighter symbol, perhaps to power outlet or something? Definitely use the socket a lot for cell phone chargers, etc.

 

Always used the ashtrays as storage anyway (usually gas receipts and parking stubs).

Our Camry had 3 - 2 in the the rear doors and the usual one in the front. The Prius has none.

 

Instead of cig lighters and ashtrays they should have regular 2 prong AC power outlets so you can plug regular things in instead of having to buy a 12V AC power inverter. I think the Toyota Matrix had one standard as well as some other cars.

 

Matrix and Vibe but only on the XRS and GT versions respectively. I think the Escape has it as a factory option too.

 

The Sienna has this too, but only in the third row area with the rear DVD option.

 

I smoke seegars in my RX, usually the smoke goes out the moonroof like out of an Injun teepee. Wanting to continue living, I would never consider smoking in my wife's ES. I just took delivery on a light set to replace the dead one for my RX ashtray. On vacation, so I may dismantle the console to try to install it. The dealer did not know that there was a light in there. At speed at night, fumbling to stuff a lit cigar into an invisible ashtray could cause an issue. You would be unwise to toss any burning item out the window here in Arizona. I use the key to lower the windows to air it out and go out to lock it up after dark, not dressed formally.

 

BTW, back in maybe 1957, there was an accessory "ashtray" that had a little lever actuated lid. This thing was connected to the engine by a tube carrying considerable vacuum, I guess from the intake manifold. You could flip the lid and tap ashes in but I knew a guy with a Ford wagon who actually tossed cigarette butts in, and the engine would sputter and swallow them. HMMMM.

 

I smoke, but never and don't allow people to smoke in my cars. Hate the smell inside the car.

 

Ashtrays didn't prevent litter, they just helped "localize" it. When they were full of butts, the butts were dumped in pile on the driveway of the gas station/7-11/drug store where you bought more cigarettes. The beginnings of recycling.

 

My wife smokes Capri cigarettes and they are $13 for a pack in NYC nowadays. Insanity.

 

Mine currently holds my cell phone but I plan on replacing my ashtray/lighter with an storage unit in my LS430. The only thing is now i have to find use of the ones on the rear doors. Maybe extra power sockets?