any way to easily externally tell an 06 Prius from an 07?

cwerdna · 11-11-2006, 07:18 PM

Are there any visible exterior changes to the 07? I know for the 06s (and 07s), the Hybrid badges appeared on the front left and right sides, so at least one could easily tell them apart from 04s and 05s.

No need to go into any changes that are readily apparent from the outside like side airbags being standard.

Tlyke1983 · 11-11-2006, 10:00 PM

To the left of my rear license plate is a small black square. It's the camera. Otherwise I can't see anything.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Nov 11 2006, 07:18 PM) [snapback]347601[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Are there any visible exterior changes to the 07? I know for the 06s (and 07s), the Hybrid badges appeared on the front left and right sides, so at least one could easily tell them apart from 04s and 05s.

No need to go into any changes that are readily apparent from the outside like side airbags being standard.
[/b]

cwerdna · 11-11-2006, 10:19 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tlyke1983 @ Nov 11 2006, 07:00 PM) [snapback]347660[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

To the left of my rear license plate is a small black square. It's the camera. Otherwise I can't see anything.
[/b]

But that was available on 06s (I've got it) and I'd doubt they removed the feature for 07.

orionll · 11-11-2006, 11:52 PM

In a word, no. Unless you are comparing a 2007 Touring Prius to a 2006 Prius. Then the wheels would be different and the spoiler would be slightly larger. But if you are comparing a 2006 Prius to a 2007 Prius, no difference.

Stev0 · 11-12-2006, 01:28 AM

Which brings up a good question - what major outside changes have been made since the 2004 was introduced?

cwerdna · 11-12-2006, 02:05 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Nov 11 2006, 10:28 PM) [snapback]347721[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Which brings up a good question - what major outside changes have been made since the 2004 was introduced?
[/b]

The easiest is the addition of the hybrid badges as I mentioned on the 06+ models. The backup camera was also only available AFAIK on 06+ models but it's not standard on all packages. The dash materials also changed to ones w/a rougher texture in the 06+ models but you'd have to take a peek thru the windows.

Bill Merchant · 11-12-2006, 02:18 AM

The rear brake lights of the '06+ are chrome, prior they were black. The interior of the headlamps changed, prior ot 06 they are plainer.

8AA · 11-12-2006, 08:34 AM

What I look for first are the brake lights; if they are tinted on the top section (in-line with the lower hatch window), then it's a 2004.

If the brake lights are clear all the way up, it's either a 2005, 2006, or 2007.

If there is a hybrid emblem on the fender behind the front wheels, then it's a 2006 or 2007. Also the bar across the grille is silver on the 2006 and 2007, but the same color as the body on the 2004 and 2005.

I'm still trying to find a visual cue to differentiate between the 2006 and the 2007 models.

kdailey356 · 11-12-2006, 08:52 AM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Nov 12 2006, 08:34 AM) [snapback]347777[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What I look for first are the brake lights; if they are tinted on the top section (in-line with the lower hatch window), then it's a 2004.

If the brake lights are clear all the way up, it's either a 2005, 2006, or 2007.

If there is a hybrid emblem on the fender behind the front wheels, then it's a 2006 or 2007. Also the bar across the grille is silver on the 2006 and 2007, but the same color as the body on the 2004 and 2005.

I'm still trying to find a visual cue to differentiate between the 2006 and the 2007 models.
[/b]

**If the brake lights are dark, it is a 2004 OR 2005

**Tideland Prius** · 11-12-2006, 01:08 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Nov 12 2006, 05:34 AM) [snapback]347777[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

What I look for first are the brake lights; if they are tinted on the top section (in-line with the lower hatch window), then it's a 2004.

If the brake lights are clear all the way up, it's either a 2005, 2006, or 2007.

If there is a hybrid emblem on the fender behind the front wheels, then it's a 2006 or 2007. Also the bar across the grille is silver on the 2006 and 2007, but the same color as the body on the 2004 and 2005.

I'm still trying to find a visual cue to differentiate between the 2006 and the 2007 models.
[/b]

There are none AFAIK. The only way to tell is if that person is driving a Touring Edition, or if it's in Canada, he has Magnetic Grey (MGP wasn't offered in 06 in Canada).

11-12-2006, 08:34 AM	#8
8AA Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Maryland Posts: 492 My Car: 2004 Prius Model: Package: #9 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	What I look for first are the brake lights; if they are tinted on the top section (in-line with the lower hatch window), then it's a 2004. If the brake lights are clear all the way up, it's either a 2005, 2006, or 2007. If there is a hybrid emblem on the fender behind the front wheels, then it's a 2006 or 2007. Also the bar across the grille is silver on the 2006 and 2007, but the same color as the body on the 2004 and 2005. I'm still trying to find a visual cue to differentiate between the 2006 and the 2007 models. __________________ '04 Salsa Red BC9 CN mudflaps (front only) • Back window fresnel lens • Inverted Homelink mirror • F37/R35 Lifetime MPG 51.6

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11-11-2006, 07:18 PM	#1
cwerdna Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Seattle area, WA Posts: 2,307 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #7 Thanks: 26 Thanked 60 Times in 52 Posts Friends: 3	Are there any visible exterior changes to the 07? I know for the 06s (and 07s), the Hybrid badges appeared on the front left and right sides, so at least one could easily tell them apart from 04s and 05s. No need to go into any changes that are readily apparent from the outside like side airbags being standard.

11-11-2006, 11:52 PM	#4
orionll Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Posts: 1,116 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 10 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 12	In a word, no. Unless you are comparing a 2007 Touring Prius to a 2006 Prius. Then the wheels would be different and the spoiler would be slightly larger. But if you are comparing a 2006 Prius to a 2007 Prius, no difference.

11-12-2006, 01:28 AM	#5
Stev0 Aluminum Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Northampton, MA Posts: 5,699 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: #7 Thanks: 27 Thanked 43 Times in 37 Posts Friends: 7	Which brings up a good question - what major outside changes have been made since the 2004 was introduced?

11-12-2006, 02:18 AM	#7
Bill Merchant absit invidia Join Date: May 2005 Location: USA \| Oregon \| Portland area \| 97004 \| Posts: 4,100 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Thanks: 18 Thanked 10 Times in 8 Posts Friends: 60	The rear brake lights of the '06+ are chrome, prior they were black. The interior of the headlamps changed, prior ot 06 they are plainer.