Top 10 requests for the 2010 Prius

[Postea]

All the previous suggestions are excellent ideas so I won't repeat them.

I'd like to see the navigation system have some type of "real time traffic". The new Acura has traffic and weather. This is a subscription option but it comes with the navigation system and you can just activate it if you need it. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and traffic problems and accidents are a real problem most of the time. There are at least a couple of systems that offer traffic. I find myself using my iPhone maps while I'm driving because it has real time traffic. I'd like to be able to change navigation destination while driving. Also, most new car radios have an HD Radio option. This is DVD quality sound but broadcast by regular radio stations. Also, an iPod/iPhone plug that displays song info would be great.

[bruceha_2000]

1. Reasonably priced NAV DVDs (like $50) WITH information on what was updated since the last release. Could be a web page for all I care. I will not pay several hundred $ for something that may not even improve my mapping.
2. Joystick shifter where it is NOW, could even be a shorter stalk. PLEASE do not put that waste of space console arch in the car.
3. Ability to use the fog lights for DRL. They are worthless as is except for emergency backup when you lose a headlight.
4. The ability to set things via the MFD. We should have to do a dance for the things we can now set and there a things we SHOULD be able to set

• Turn on/off backup beeper
• Turn on/off seatbelt reminders
• Set the temp at which the Auto Climate Controls uses particular vent settings. It NEEDS to go to Defrost/floor at no less than 40F, higher if it is raining.
• Which doors open when you unlock the car via the SKS

And as noted, a PHEV car

[zenMachine]

A real "premium" sound system.

[seesfar]

I read all the posts and I would like to see PDA function built into MFD to keep records of milage, fillups etc.

[Philmo]

Driver's seat memory. My knees aren't going to last beyond 2010 getting in the car after my wife's been driving it.

[cycledrum]

1) Sportier exterior styling particularly on front end, similar to 09 Corolla, Camry styling

2) Somewhat more power especially for steep hill / grade climbing and for accelerating from stop lights and onto freeways.

3) Low cost, manually adjustable driver's seat height such that taller drivers can feel more 'in the car'.

4) Telescopic steering wheel adjustment along with tilt.

5) Little more sound proofing to deaden road noise.

6) Increased electric drive capability to accelerate faster and to higher speed on battery. Can currently accelerate to 30 mph on battery but only at pace that would frustrate others behind.

that's all I can think of, still a Prius rookie

In response to post above, I find the JBL sound system quite good. I got about 15 minutes listen to pack2 audio on the road, ooh, wouldn't have worked for me. I imagine luxury cars have some amazing audio as well as quiet interiors.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by cycledrum

1) Sportier exterior styling particularly on front end, similar to 09 Corolla, Camry styling
Done

2) Somewhat more power especially for steep hill / grade climbing and for accelerating from stop lights and onto freeways.
Done

3) Low cost, manually adjustable driver's seat height such that taller drivers can feel more 'in the car'.
Done

4) Telescopic steering wheel adjustment along with tilt.
not sure but pretty sure it'll be included

5) Little more sound proofing to deaden road noise.
TBA

6) Increased electric drive capability to accelerate faster and to higher speed on battery. Can currently accelerate to 30 mph on battery but only at pace that would frustrate others behind.
TBA

that's all I can think of, still a Prius rookie

In response to post above, I find the JBL sound system quite good. I got about 15 minutes listen to pack2 audio on the road, ooh, wouldn't have worked for me.

The JBL audio is decent but not the best. Our 2002 Camry with the 6-speaker JBL audio sounds a LOT better.

[Karplusan]

1. More Electrical components. Larger Electric motor, Plug-in options, solar panels, etc...
2. Stop using gas AND elecricity to move the car forward at complete stops.
3. Flex Fuel options.
4. Direct fuel/energy measurement. MPG is nice, but alternate routs that take more time/distance that increase MPG may or may not reduce total energy.
5. If Back-up camera is present, a mode to access it while not in reverse.
5.1 Screen capture for the back-up camera. (Get the licence plate recorded on that tailgater)
7. 12V battery reverse polarity protection.
8. Easier access to 12V battery posts when jumping other cars. (Big insulated jumper cables have to be hel in place in the front post)
9. Night time modes. Dimmers on Side mirrors, View Screen and dashboard.
10. Automatic Audio volume adjustment for ambient noise. (The next step up from volume controls on the steering wheel)

Other idea:
Side and/or front camera's. (How close is the curb/line?)

[donee]

Hi All,

I had an idea on the drive home tonite in 20 F weather. It would be really neat if the control system in the Climate control could be set rather than keeping the cabin at a set temperature, to keep the engine from temp from droping so low, that the car falls out of hybrid mode. Which actually happened to me this morning, even with 85% grill block, when I turned on the Climate control at 65 F for about 10 minutes. I turned the Climate on with the Engine temp at 91 C, and in the 10 minutes it was below 70 C.

[Shawn Clark]

Picking and choosing from other's lists and my own observations:
1. Better engine temperature/thermal management including gauges for engine and inverter coolant temps, and a shutter system for the front grills.
2. Ditch the troublesome low capacity bladder fuel tank system for one that can be filled reliably and indicates reliably. Doing this will save enough cost per vehicle to easily pay for #1.
3. Seating for six when needed.
4. Bullet proof protection against reverse polarity jumps--this is a major reliability issue since the system is too delicate for standard jump starting.
5. Ability to glide up to 50 mph or so as mentioned earlier by donee, this would really improve city mileage in 45 zones with normal traffic...and in 55 zones when there was little traffic.
6. Multi-mode cruise control for hold speed or best efficiency.
7. Plug in battery capability. (Have to say I really liked Bob Wilson's idea of preheat and precool from plug in as well, top notch.)
8. User configurable MFD for various gauges (temps, rpm, voltages/amps, etc.)
9. Telescoping steering wheel.
10. Better quality/thickness glass in the front windshield so that it doesn't crack every time it chips.