Why do some Lexus/Toyota SUVs have the rear door open to the side?
06-11-12, 11:28 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
Why do some Lexus/Toyota SUVs have the rear door open to the side?
I have a good question for you all.
I honestly do not believe that reasons of keeping costs down are the real reason some suvs made by Toyota and Lexus have the rear door that opens to the side.
The Rav4 and Lexus GX open to the right side. The FJ opens to the left.
Seeing that the FJ and GX are based on the same platform as the 4Runner, why would the 4Runner get the full hatch, powered closing and reclining rear window? It just does not make any sense for at least the GX to not have the full hatch.
The FJ, I figure that stying with the rear tire on tthe door is a possible reason as to why it opens to the left.
The Rav remains a mystery.
If cost cutting is reason, then why would the Sequoia get a full hatch.
How come the cheaper RX gets a full rear as well as the Highlander.
Other than cost cutting, does anyone have a logical reason as to why some have the rear door and other don't?
I honestly do not believe that reasons of keeping costs down are the real reason some suvs made by Toyota and Lexus have the rear door that opens to the side.
The Rav4 and Lexus GX open to the right side. The FJ opens to the left.
Seeing that the FJ and GX are based on the same platform as the 4Runner, why would the 4Runner get the full hatch, powered closing and reclining rear window? It just does not make any sense for at least the GX to not have the full hatch.
The FJ, I figure that stying with the rear tire on tthe door is a possible reason as to why it opens to the left.
The Rav remains a mystery.
If cost cutting is reason, then why would the Sequoia get a full hatch.
How come the cheaper RX gets a full rear as well as the Highlander.
Other than cost cutting, does anyone have a logical reason as to why some have the rear door and other don't?
06-12-12, 01:23 AM
#2
cost cutting is usually referred to the fact that they dont change the side the door opens for different markets, not if they have door or hatch. I dont think the reason is cost cutting, it is because of the door on this utes being pretty heavy.
they will probably change that on new models since customers prefer the hatch... i had rav4 for a long time and honestly i didnt complain about the door or where it opens.
they will probably change that on new models since customers prefer the hatch... i had rav4 for a long time and honestly i didnt complain about the door or where it opens.
06-12-12, 04:30 AM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
side door is awful. on rav 4 in particular, except for a recent option the spare tire has been on the door, so having the door hinged at the top was not possible.
06-12-12, 05:15 AM
#4
I assume the Rav4's door opens from the left/hinges on the right as that is the most convenient access for RHD vehicles driving on the left hand side and getting access from the pavement on the left, without having to step out into traffic.
06-12-12, 06:39 AM
#6
Lexus Champion
Toyota / Lexus SUVs that have an available spare tire that hangs outside the vehicle (as on the RAV4, FJ Cruiser and Lexus GX / Toyota Land Cruiser Prado) use a barn-style door for the cargo area that opens to the side, with the spare tire attached to it; SUVs and CUVs (such as the 4Runner, RX and Highlander) that do not offer such a feature have a hatch that opens up. A spare tire hanging on an upward-opening hatch would make it too heavy.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
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06-12-12, 07:11 AM
#8
I think one of the reasons for the barn door tailgate is image - it looks more like a utility-type vehicle than a minivan-esque lift-up rear hatch. Granted, I had the dual barn doors on a 90s Suburban and it was a PITA to work around the open doors when backed into the garage.
06-12-12, 07:29 AM
#9
Toyota / Lexus SUVs that have an available spare tire that hangs outside the vehicle (as on the RAV4, FJ Cruiser and Lexus GX / Toyota Land Cruiser Prado) use a barn-style door for the cargo area that opens to the side, with the spare tire attached to it; SUVs and CUVs (such as the 4Runner, RX and Highlander) that do not offer such a feature have a hatch that opens up. A spare tire hanging on an upward-opening hatch would make it too heavy.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
06-12-12, 10:40 AM
#10
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06-12-12, 11:00 AM
#11
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Toyota / Lexus SUVs that have an available spare tire that hangs outside the vehicle (as on the RAV4, FJ Cruiser and Lexus GX / Toyota Land Cruiser Prado) use a barn-style door for the cargo area that opens to the side, with the spare tire attached to it; SUVs and CUVs (such as the 4Runner, RX and Highlander) that do not offer such a feature have a hatch that opens up. A spare tire hanging on an upward-opening hatch would make it too heavy.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
To hang a spare tire at the outside rear of the vehicle while still offering an upward-opening hatch (or downward-opening tailgate) would require a spare tire carrier that could swing out of the way of the opening, as on the Jeep Wrangler. Such carriers are heavy, cumbersome (getting into the rear cargo area becomes a two-step process of swinging the carrier out of the way before opening hatch) and are prone to rust – the carrier itself and where it bolts to the vehicle body. Hanging the spare tire on the rear door itself eliminates the unsightly external carrier.
To save costs, the barn-style cargo area door does not change sides for different markets, so the RAV4 and Land Cruiser Prado / Lexus GX have rear doors that open to the right, against the curb in North America and Continental Europe. I assume that the FJ was originally designed mainly for the North American market so it is offered with the left-opening rear cargo door.
To save design costs, RAV4 Sport models that do not have a spare tire still offer the barn style door. Hanging a door from the vehicle’s body requires a lot of strengthening, whether it is a side-opening door, upward-opening hatch or downward-opening tailgate. Offering the RAV4 with 2 different types of rear cargo openings would increase the price of the RAV4.
02-22-14, 05:48 AM
#12
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What's wrong with the Barn Door option for rear door?
I'm currently in the market for a new(er) car. Specifically, a large SUV that can accommodate two, large German Shepherds. My Toyota Sequoia has been absolutely spectacular, but the one great flaw is the rear "hatch" opening.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
02-22-14, 11:01 AM
#13
Tis an interesting question for sure. Whatever the reasoning I don't like it whatsoever. The Barn door, plastic center console and 301hp are my biggest gripes with the GX. Otherwise it has a fantastic 4x4 system and I love the new Spindle on it. For what it's worth thankfully the rear glass pops upward for loading without opening that darn door
Nice, I have two Germans myself a 1 year old 83lb girl and 11 month old 107lb boy. Luckily I have a 2003 Explorer to haul them around in if need be.
That Suburban though was a split vertical rear doors though right? It wasn't a full barn door like the GX
I'm currently in the market for a new(er) car. Specifically, a large SUV that can accommodate two, large German Shepherds. My Toyota Sequoia has been absolutely spectacular, but the one great flaw is the rear "hatch" opening.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
That Suburban though was a split vertical rear doors though right? It wasn't a full barn door like the GX
02-22-14, 12:02 PM
#14
The pursuit of F
I'm currently in the market for a new(er) car. Specifically, a large SUV that can accommodate two, large German Shepherds. My Toyota Sequoia has been absolutely spectacular, but the one great flaw is the rear "hatch" opening.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
Aside from the dogs sneaking out underneath while I open the rear door, it's getting more and more difficult to close the thing. Maybe it's just the hydraulics getting older. But it just seems that it would be less expensive to put cargo doors on the rear of vehicles.
Right now, the vehicle I'm most interested in purchasing is the Lexus GX - specifically because of that big cargo door in the rear.
Why is this not an option on all vehicles? Chevy stopped making them on the Suburban - not that I would buy ANYTHING from "Government motors" ever again, but, the barn doors were the Suburban's most redeeming quality. Well, that and the space. I loved my 92 'Burb.
I'm thinking of the GX myself, but for me the barn-door is a hindrance in parking spots with cars behind you.
HOWEVER, the nice thing about the GX is you can still open the glass hatch to somewhat satisfy folks like me who prefer a lift gate.
