2008 Pontiac G8 GT: Secret Trunk Release Button

The Eagle Premier my cousin had, had the trunk release button inside the glove box. The button was also very fussy only working when IT wanted to.

My '92 Corvette has a trunk release in the center console and one on the end of each door, makes it very convenient. Having it in the glove box is not that bad, but going from car to car I bet it gets confusing remembering all the locations of thing like this.

I remember my old 94 Grand Prix with the button in its glove box It also had two keys...one for starting the car, and one only for the trunk and doors. A lot of GM cars from the late 80s and 90s had this odd setup. Since it never had a remote entry, it took me a few weeks after buying the car to get used to unlocking the car with a separate key. By the time I moved on to my Focus a few years later, I was so used to the two-keys setup that it was kinda a jolt when I went back to just one key and remote with my Focus.

I agree that I'd rather not have the trunk release in the glove compartment, but that's an extremely minor nitpick.

What doesn't make sense to me is the following:
"There's the remote trunk release on the key and a button in the car, but if someone is helping you load your luggage, they'll have to wait for you to open the trunk for them."

They'll have to wait for you to hit a button on the keyfob? I really don't understand the issue here.

I don't go to my laundry room to flush my toilet, so why should I have to go into my glove box to open my trunk?

This has angered me for years about GM (and some other domestic vehicles), yet many of the foreign marques, particularly the Germans, have done this correctly for years, putting a release button on the exterior near the lid. A friend of mine slammed her fingers in the trunk while the engine was running and had to wait over 45 minutes for someone to rescue her, so now it's beyond just a convenience issue. I refuse to buy any vehicle that doesn't have an exterior release switch for the trunk, which, to their chagrin, eliminates nearly all non-SUV domestic vehicles. Shame on them for poor design as usual.

Also, that plastic looks awful.

Stupid design, but not a big deal.
However, both my Mazda6 and my mom's G37 have the trunk release in a convenient place with an additional trunk release lockout button inside the glovebox like the button seen here. That way, you can press the button, lock the glovebox, and no one will have access to your trunk.

GM is definitely growing on me recently but they need to learn how to get the little touches right.

My grandma's old Buick Century had this.

my 91 lumina had that weird two-key setup, but the trunk release button was under the steering wheel column.

we only have one sedan now, switched to hatchbacks. My dads 2000 maxima has the trunk release right in the door, next to the gas door button.

but yeah, odd throwback.

My 2000 Mustang GT has a trunk release button in the same place- seems kind of unconventional and a pain in the ass if you ask me.

Some of my client sites require trunk and under chassis check before a vehicle can enter into the area (especially after 2003). Not a big deal I guess but this would still be a pain in the ass. Reminds me of bright yellow buttons in old Chevys and Buicks' glove compartment.

How EVER did people suffer through the automotive dark ages? No exterior trunk release, no remote start, no keyless entry, no nav system, 4-(or 3-) speed automatics, no heated or cooled seats, no blind spot warnings, no self-parking systems... and ashtrays as standard equipment. How primitive!

When you never knew A1 steak sauce existed, you would not have asked for it. After you learned and tasted it, you still would never ask for it. Those are deep thoughts if I have to say so myself.

A properly cooked cut of quality steak, doesn't need A1.

It's a ridiculous trunk release button spot, but I've adjusted. It does remind me of the one in the same spot on my '87 Escort GT I had in high school. The other annoying thing is there is no trunk release on the actual trunk. I miss being able to just put my hand under the trunk lid and press the electronic release like I could on my BMW. Instead, I have to fumble with the key. To me, that's more annoying. It's rare that I am sitting in the car and have to pop the trunk for other people.

"Also, that plastic looks awful."

It's in the glove box. I don't think it's that big a deal. That pic is really zoomed in big time which makes it look worse than it really is. I think the interior on the G8 is great. Sporty and comfy. nice materials. Best bang for the buck full size sports sedan you could get. Shame it was only around for 2 years. Glad I got mine.

I dont understand the issue here, aside from the odd location of the trunk release button. And yes, that plastic looks oh so awful, even thou if that credit goes to the pic zoom and angle.....right?

As an owner, I find it quite easy to reach this button, as the glove box latch is offset towards the center stack. It will also confuse thiefs who will not know where to find the release.

As far as the plastic goes, come on, EVERY MODERN CAR has a lot of plastic in the interior. When you are driving, I doubt that much time is spent looking at your glove box door.