Should You Throw Shade at These Limited-Edition Toyotas?
Special editions can be hit-or-miss. Sometimes, you get something worth the upcharge, like the Jeep Gladiator Maximus or GMC Syclone Marlboro. More often, though, limited-editions are merely cosmetic. You can recreate the F-150 and Silverado Harley-Davidson editions, for example, at a cheaper rate than the manufacturers charge. So far, the Trail and 1794 Editions that Toyota has unveiled have fit the former category. But will the latest limited-editions, the Toyota Nightshade editions, do the same?
The new Toyota Nightshade Edition vehicles
At the 2020 Chicago Auto Show, Toyota unveiled the latest vehicles to gain a Nightshade limited edition. Joining the Camry, Corolla, Sienna, and 4Runner are the Tacoma, Tundra, and Sequoia.
Like the earlier models, the Nightshade trucks and 3-row SUV share a ‘blacked-out’ theme. Each will get black leather-trim seats and black exterior trim. The latter includes a darkened chrome grille, as well as black door handles and mirror caps. However, there are some slight differences between them.
The Toyota Tacoma Nightshade, for instance, gets ‘Dark Smoke’ 18” alloy wheels, as well as a black exhaust tip and fog light surrounds. The truck also gets a new grille insert.
The Tundra Nightshade, meanwhile, gets the black exhaust tip, but different black wheels. And the Sequoia Nightshade gets new body moldings, lower grille and fog light surrounds, as well as darkened chrome badges.
These new Toyota Nightshade limited editions are also slightly different from the previous ones in another way. The Camry, Corolla, and Sienna were all built on their respective SE trims, which are more roughly mid-level. However, the Tundra, Tacoma, and Sequoia Nightshades will follow the 4Runner’s cue, and be based on their respective vehicle’s Limited trim. Hence, as Motor Trend describes, the leather seats.
Pricing and availability
The new truck and SUV Nightshades will offer a choice between RWD and 4WD. The standard color choices are Midnight Black Metallic (of course) and Magnetic Gray Metallic. However, both the Tacoma and Tundra can be ordered in Windchill Pearl at an extra cost. The Tundra Nightshade can also come in Super White, and the Sequoia Nightshade in Blizzard Pearl, at no extra charge.
Speaking of charge, Toyota has not released official pricing as of this writing. The Camry and Corolla Nightshades cost $700 more than their SE counterparts. But, the 4Runner Nightshade costs $1740 more than the Limited SUV.
And these Nightshades will be limited editions. Tacoma and Tundra Nightshade production will be limited to 5000 each. Only 2500 Sequoia Nightshades will be built. Based on how Toyota’s official statement references “the close of summer”, we predict a Q2 2020 release.
Are the Nightshade limited-edition Toyotas worth it?
Based on the information, the Toyota Nightshade limited editions are less Tundra T3 and more Silverado Carhartt edition: mostly cosmetic. However, even if the Nightshades carry a $1740 upcharge, that’s still actually a fairly-good price for a cosmetics package. For example, equipping a Ram 1500 to Kentucky Derby edition levels required the Black Appearance Package, which was $3,995.
Of course, design is always a personal opinion. But if you like the look, the Toyota Nightshade editions are competitively-priced appearance packages worth considering.
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