This blog was going to be about the square footage of the Mitsubishi Outlander's key. It's the one in the middle. Look at it, it's almost as big as this cell phone (right), which I stole off of Deputy Managing Editor Caroline Pardilla's desk. Don't tell her, she's got a short fuse...
Does it really need to be that big? All that space for just those three little buttons? Gimme a break.
But then I saw this Mazda RX-8 key (left) and realized how small the Outlander's key is. But then I saw the key to our Nissan Versa (bottom) and was right back where I started. It's easily the example with the finest design and most efficient use of space. And here's the kicker: the Versa is much cheaper than the Mitsu or the Mazda.
Oh no, here comes Caroline.
Scott Oldham, Inside Line Editor-in-Chief @ 7,470 miles
alpha01 says:
04:53 PM, 07/20/07
Yikes, the Outlander's keyfob looks like some cheapo universal transponder thing from Wal-Mark.
navigator89 says:
04:59 PM, 07/20/07
That's pretty lame, why such a big key fob for 3 buttons?? No cool details either. My 2006 Camry has 3 buttons too with a fob half as big. Even my 1998 Windstar had 3 buttons with a smaller fob.
And I gotta say for an economy car the Versa has a cool fob. The RX-8 should have a better one considering the price, and the fact that it is a sports car.
phinneas519 says:
07:17 PM, 07/20/07
The first thing that came to mind when I read this is that the shape and size of a vehicle's key fob is at the bottom of criteria list when making a buying decision.
Even still, I agree that the Outlander fob is a bit large. I have the fob for an '04 Lancer Sportback and it's much closer to the size of the Versa's. No idea why Mitsubishi took a step back regarding "fob ergonomics."
dodo2 says:
07:28 PM, 07/20/07
The key from my Outlander LS, it's just a key, with the remote buttons built-in (I don't have a separate fob like on your Camry or your Windstar which it really old school). What you fail to consider is that the XLS's remote pictured is the one for Mitsu's FAST system (keyless ignition - do you have that on your Camry? I thought so). The remote in the picture hosts an actual backup key so there are some physical limitations on how small the housing can be that you should consider, don't you think?
This doesn't change the fact that the remote is rather big, but this is for a reason and this is not that Mitsu was cheap.
altimadude00 says:
07:50 PM, 07/20/07
The Nissan fob also houses the back-up key to the car, puting us back to square one, again. I guess the NIssan wins the "I'm Smaller AND Cheaper Than You" Contest.
alpha01 says:
07:58 PM, 07/20/07
dodo2 - note that with the current generation Camry (non Smart Key), the remote entry buttons are also housed on the key. There is no separate fob.
qqt414 says:
08:21 PM, 07/20/07
i gotta say the Versa's Fob looks pretty Upscale, but in all seriousness who really cares about the size of the Fob. sure a little big but who cares. Heck girls put it in their purse and most guys would not care at all.
stephen987 says:
05:35 AM, 07/21/07
Those of us guys who wear properly fitted (not baggy) jeans every day find large fobs, um, uncomfortable, to say the least.
dodo2 says:
07:02 AM, 07/21/07
alpha01 - the poster mentioned 2006 Camry which would make it the previous generation. I know 07 Camry has the integrated key.
While I like the Versa's remote button, I don't think the remote style/size would be a deal breaker for any sane car buyer, so what's the point of this "contest"? This is the "lame" part.
Now that we got started on Versa, you have to plug in the fob into a socket in the dashboard and then push the start button don’t you?
navigator89 says:
11:02 AM, 07/21/07
Ya sorry I was thinking of my 2002 Camry which had a seperate fob, my 2006 Camry has the buttons the key itself.
blueguydotcom says:
11:51 AM, 07/21/07
I miss my e90's comfort access key. It's small - 2-3 inches long, maybe an inch and a half wide and you never had to take it out of your pocket. I always slipped it in the front mini pocket on my jeans.
The R56 cooper has an outrageously large key.
penboy says:
03:44 PM, 07/21/07
While I do agree that the Versa's key fob is probably the nicest looking one of the three, something no one has mentioned is the width of the fob. Mazda's keyless ignition fob is the exact width and height of a credit card, and is very thin, about 1/8 of an inch, or less, and is designed to be put in your wallet. The heft of the fobs for the Versa and Outlander would make them feel more significant, while Mazda's is designed to be carreid in a different way.
jriz says:
04:52 PM, 07/21/07
The Mazda's key may be wide and long, about the size of a credit card, but it's depth is about equal to two credit cards. The same key is sitting in my wallet at the moment, which I'm guessing is how it was meant to be carried.
altimadude00 says:
04:50 PM, 07/22/07
dodo-- The only time you need to plug the Nissan fob into the socket on the dash is if the fob's battery runs out of juice. All other times you can leave it in your pocket.
I could make a comment about bulges in men's pants, but then this post would go away, so I'll refrain.
If someone steals your wallet i guess you're SOL on driving your Mazda home then? So much for convenience.
dodo2 says:
07:12 PM, 07/22/07
altimadude00 - Thanks for the clarification. One of my co-workers got a 07 Altima (I was impressed with its interior materials and fit and finish BTW) and she showed me how the fob goes into the dash and then you push the start button. It didn't make much sense to me. She only had the car for a weekend at the time though and sure thing she did not read the manual.
I didn't see the key inside the fob either, but considering its thickness (not exaggerated though) I think it could fit one.
markleung says:
07:44 AM, 07/23/07
DON'T PUT THE VERSA KEY FOB THAT CLOSE TO THE CELL PHONE!
There is a known problem with the Infiniti G35 / Nissan Altima / Nissan Versa fobs, in which the fobs will become corrupted if you place them too close to cell phones - especially when sending or receiving signals.
jriz says:
09:04 AM, 07/23/07
An amendment to my earlier comment regarding the Mazda fob:
The thin, wallet-sized key might work great with the CX-9, CX-7 or some other Mazda that has an exterior trunk latch, but not the RX-8. Whereas the doors have a small button to keylessly unlock the car, the trunk has no button. There is also no interior trunk release (that I could find). There is a key hole, but considering the key is imbedded in the fob, that's pretty useless. So, then I had to dig into my wallet, pull out the fob and open the trunk. This totally defeats the purpose of keyless-go style fobs if there's no button on the trunk like on our Infiniti G35 or exterior latches. Of course, the RX-8 wasn't designed with keyless entry/ignition in mind, but they should have thought it through a little better when implementing the technology.