I know Honda had problems with that: they would have a safety feature, but were reluctant to introduce it unless it could be applied to all levels. I think they eventually did though. Alzheimer's is setting in, I can remember exactly what it was.
So it's Honda's "all or nothing" vs. Toyota's "well here's an option if you buy everything else with it. The rest of you will have to wait" Well Civic is one. Honda Sensing is an option on most trims levels (I think except the base DX) and it's standard on the Touring. On the Accord, it's optional on LX and EX and standard on EX-L and Touring. Does the Odyssey still have two transmission options? Only the top Touring model got a 6-spd and cylinder deactivation. The rest of the line up had a regular engine and a 5-spd. Also, why is a vacuum only available on the top model (yes yes I know... the long standing marketing "this is how it's always been done") but you would think budget-minded families wouldn't mind the convenience on EX or SE models. I can understand if the LX doesn't have it as it's a no frills, I just want a basic family minivan trim level.
It's especially annoying when you add in the other "takebacks" in the Four. In addition to costing more, the Four forces you into SofTex (we preferred cloth) and takes away the spare tire. The idea that high-tech safety features are only available at the cost of sacrificing the ultimate low-tech safety feature is indefensible. The Prius product managers are idiots about the spare tire, and jerks about limiting rear cross traffic alert to the Four.
Ya, that was a tad uncivil, but the words were targeted. It's a low-intelligence move to leave spare tires off cars (I am unmoved by examples of how many other manufacturers are equally stupid), while withholding useful safety features from all but your highest-paying customers is rude and inconsiderate. It's not like the feature is hugely expensive in its own right - just charge a fair price for it and leave it to buyers to decide, at whatever trim level. Why not - does rear cross traffic alert somehow depend on heated seats?
Ha-ha. True. If I remember correctly, in Gen 2 every higher package included everything that was in all previous ones. I bought the highest one (#6) and never regretted. This time around it is just crazy! If you want a spare, then 3. But if you don't want cloth seats, then 3T. If you want a Home Link mirror, than 4. But you don't get a spare. And so on, and so forth. I think the goal was to keep the same MPG at all cost. Now it is clear they made a mistake. The oil is 3-4 times cheaper, customers are not happy. But we cannot reverse the arrow of time, the only one practical question if you want as much safety as possible, is 3 or 4? You chose 3, and I was in the same camp for some time. But the more I read, the more I want 4, and willing to cut the styrofoam and install my own spare.
