2020 Toyota Tacoma Blind Spot Monitor Leads the Way to Improved Safety

The Toyota Tacoma has been the best-selling midsize truck for a decade and a half. It has enjoyed 19 consecutive months of increased sales. Since it is not time for a full redesign, what could be next for the 2020 Tacoma?

What is new with the 2020 Toyota Tacoma?

News has already been released that the refreshed 2020 Toyota Tacoma will feature many new exterior changes, with new grilles and wheels on just about all grade levels. It will also feature across-the-board Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility, as well as larger multimedia screens to display these popular applications
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One feature I am very much looking forward to is a 10-way power driver’s seat. Look for this as standard on all trim levels SR5 and above. It is about time that on just about all Tacoma trucks (except for SR), drivers both tall and short will be comfortable as they drive their new Tacoma’s for the next several hundreds of thousands of miles.

And do not sleep on the captivating 2020 Tacoma TRD Pro. Drivers both on the road and those yearning for serious off-roading will appreciate the new Panoramic View and Multi-Terrain Monitors. They will help you see in front of, along the sides of, in the back of, and underneath your Tacoma.
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The 2020 TRD Pro will be available in Super White, Magnetic Gray, Midnight Black and Army Green. Just wait until you see the Army Green Tacoma in person. It is quite remarkable and you may just want to buy one.

Benefits of Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert

I bring up the blind spot monitor because it is one of the most important safety features available on new cars and trucks today. Have you ever tried to change lanes, knowing that the coast was clear, only to look over at the last minute and see a car in the lane you were about to merge into? Blind spot monitor seriously decreases the chances of this occurring.

Rear cross-traffic alert is effective for making sure, when your vehicle is in reverse, there are no vehicles or people behind you or coming from either side as you back up. The worst but all-too-common scenario is when you are backing up in your supermarket parking lot space, with a big van and a truck on either side of you. Thank you, rear cross-traffic alert for showing us to stop backing up. The coast is not yet clear.

Our resident Howard Stern Show celebrity Bobo talks Toyota RAV4 safety

I talked recently with Steve Bowe of the National Safety Council. You may know Steve more properly as “Bobo”, his nickname and entertainment alter ego, from The Howard Stern Show. Steve is a strong advocate for vehicle safety and also owns a Toyota RAV4.

Bobo gave me his thoughts on Toyota safety systems. “…the warning system to alert the driver that he has another vehicle in his blind spot is key, since I've been teaching for years with National Safety Council to always adjust your mirrors so you don't see the sides of your car.”

“I have to say all of Toyota's vehicles I feel safe when I'm with my family driving out on the road. I just completed my road trip from Florida to New York. I felt a good sense of safety with Toyota.”

Thank you Steve. Keep pushing for driver and vehicle safety, and we will continue checking in with you on various safety topics.

See a demo of Rear Cross-Traffic Alert as it spots other vehicles and people and click to subscribe to Torque News Youtube Channel for daily news on toyota and automotive industry.

And what about Blind Spot Monitor in 2020 Tacoma?

Look for blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic alert to carry over into the new 2020 Toyota Tacoma. A recent Toyota USA YouTube video named "Camo" supported that these important safety features will be a big part of the 2020 Tacoma marketing message.

The 2019 Tacoma also utilizes blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic safety features. They are standard equipment on the Limited and TRD Pro, and are available in packages on TRD Sport and TRD Off-Road. Not available on SR or SR5.

Although I have no confirmation of this, my speculation is blind spot monitor will be available as an option on the SR5 and standard on the TRD models and the Limited. I guess time will tell. A very short time.

Are you looking forward to the 2020 Toyota Tacoma? What do you think of the exclusive TRD Pro Army Green color?

Thanks for reading everyone. Please bookmark Torque News Toyota for my latest news and reviews. See you next story where I am discussing 2019 Toyota RAV4 Adventure: taking off-roading to the next level.

Jeff Teague is a Toyota news reporter at Torque News. You can reach Jeff on Facebook and follow his Instagram for his popular "Toyotajeff Minute" quick Toyota reviews.

Twitter at @toyotajeff1 and tweet him tips for new stories. Jeff also shares Toyota news videos on his Youtube Channel at ToyotaJeff1.