I was a bit surprised when I pulled my limited wheels off and saw it was a face plate of chrome, but then I noticed it was common to other manufacturers as well. Could be that the plating holds up better or to get a perfect match with the other body parts. Or could be a cost move. Every variation they create adds cost and complexity to manufacturing, so it has to be worth it. I thought it cheapened the feeling of the wheel, but it's still equally chrome plated - it's just what got the plating - plastic or alloy.
If you want some sticker shock, look up the number of parts and total cost of the limited grille - every line of chrome piece is snap-in and lists for ~$50, not including the grille frame or emblem!
For those on the high horse of the spare - it is a full sized spare - it's full sized temporary. My tire shop even measured it and it's sized for 50% of the treadlife of the OEM tire, so splitting the difference for wear on the regular set.
"Full sized" does not mean it has to be matching. My window sticker from a 20yr old Toyota literally says "factory matching spare" (and it was indeed a spare of the same wheel and tire as the other four)
Your spare can be: none, none+inflator with sealant (becoming popular on smaller cars), none+run flat (popular on luxury cars), compact spare, full size spare, or matching spare
If it's such a big deal, then spend the ~$500 (wheel, valve, tire, mount, balance) and swap it out. It falls on deaf ears when the majority (not all) of those complaining immediately spend thousands of dollars changing their wheels or lift or adding accessories, etc.
If you want some sticker shock, look up the number of parts and total cost of the limited grille - every line of chrome piece is snap-in and lists for ~$50, not including the grille frame or emblem!
For those on the high horse of the spare - it is a full sized spare - it's full sized temporary. My tire shop even measured it and it's sized for 50% of the treadlife of the OEM tire, so splitting the difference for wear on the regular set.
"Full sized" does not mean it has to be matching. My window sticker from a 20yr old Toyota literally says "factory matching spare" (and it was indeed a spare of the same wheel and tire as the other four)
Your spare can be: none, none+inflator with sealant (becoming popular on smaller cars), none+run flat (popular on luxury cars), compact spare, full size spare, or matching spare
If it's such a big deal, then spend the ~$500 (wheel, valve, tire, mount, balance) and swap it out. It falls on deaf ears when the majority (not all) of those complaining immediately spend thousands of dollars changing their wheels or lift or adding accessories, etc.
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