(lower end) features on other cars that you wish 2nd gen Prius had?

[cwerdna]

What neat/handy little features on other cars have you seen that you would've liked to have on the 2nd gen Prius? I don't know how many of these are addressed on the 3rd gen since I don't have one.

I'm not necessarily about options that are available on the 2nd gen (like nav) nor high end stuff like 4 wheel steering, reclining rear seats, massage seats, etc. nor features that are definitely available on the 3rd gen like lane departure warning, sunroof, and radar adaptive cruise control.

I'll list a few:
- old Chrysler minivans (like the 93 Dodge Caravan) would chime if you left the signals on and drove more than a certain distance (I think 1/2 mile or 1 mile)
- all recent Nissans (at least my former 02 Maxima and 04 350Z) would automatically cut power to the all the interior lights and map lights if you either left a door open or left the interior or map lights on after 30 minutes. (I think it didn't work on the hatch lights on my Z, but worked on everything else.)
- 09 Ford Focus would display message PARKING BRAKE ENGAGED (in dot matrix display) and chime shortly after you start trying to drive w/the parking brake on. IIRC, Chrysler minvans would do this too.
- count up timer on trip computers of many Nissans (like my 02 Maxima, 04 350Z and mom's 07 NAH) - Liked to use this to time how long a trip took instead of carrying a stopwatch.
- distance to empty on trip computer (above Nissans) and many other cars
- many GM cars and even the above Focus continue powering the radio even when you turn the key to off. They only cut the power when you open the driver's door. This is very handy.
- (not that I've triggered this) The 09 Ford Focus has a separate light for a loose/missing gas cap. I've heard of this on other cars too. I guess they were getting too many CELs that might be a loose gas cap that they decided to separate it out.

I'm curious to hear of others since there are car from many manufacturers that I've never owned or didn't have the opportunity to discover such features from renting.

[BigDeal]

The camry I used to have had a sliding extender on the visor that was really useful for blocking sun on the side window when the visor didn't quite block it all. I sure wish my Prius had that.

[DetPrius]

The two I really find surprising on a 2010 car were mentioned above and that is the lack of ability of the car to shut off a dome light left on by a door not closed completely or a dome light left on by the kids reading in the back seat on the way home at night. I wish it would shut off all dome lights if there is no activity in the car after a certain period of time. My GM loving family loves to harass me when they learn of things like this as GM cars have done this for quite a while now.

The second is the accessory power delay, namely radio and windows, which I believe on the Prius is under a minute. I've seen other cars that are 10-15 minutes which is much more useful.

[danl]

Maybe there's an actual solution to this, but it annoys me like no other that when I'm listening to an MP3 CD, and I hit the "^" (next) button, it goes the the next song in the list instead of the next random song.

Oh daytime running lights might be nice.

Oh and grocery bag hooks. My sienna has them, they make a world of difference for something so simple.

[digital_griffin]

1) An analog speedometer

I think it was offered later post 2005 MY, but

2) Sirius/XM radio

3) MP3 player

[BAllanJ]

Not applicable to you US owners, but I wish the day time running lights would turn off when I put the car in park and engage the parking brake.

And my pet peeve for all cars... I wish they could give me a manual for MY car, not for a range of cars and extras etc that I didn't buy. This should not be difficult!

[JimboPalmer]

Inside hatch release.

[cwerdna]

Originally Posted by danl

Maybe there's an actual solution to this, but it annoys me like no other that when I'm listening to an MP3 CD, and I hit the "^" (next) button, it goes the the next song in the list instead of the next random song.

Originally Posted by BigDeal

The camry I used to have had a sliding extender on the visor that was really useful for blocking sun on the side window when the visor didn't quite block it all. I sure wish my Prius had that.

I totally forgot about both of these. On my Nissans (don't have MP3 CD playback), when you're in shuffle/random, the next button does take you to the next random song. I like that.

Yes, both my former 02 Maxima and my Z have visor extenders. I found those handy too and wish my Prius had them.

[cnschult]

how about the ability to use the engine in reverse, instead of just the electric motor?
that, plus traction control defeat are the 2 features you need to 'rock your car' when its stuck in the snow

it seems all hybrids don't use gas engine in reverse, I read a review of gmc yukon hybrid, the reviewer gave the suv high marks but asked how the weak electric motor was going to back up a driveway with a boat in trail.

[a_gray_prius]

I jsut want a USB jack for memory dongles. My friend's new Focus has it (although the system display is the same ugly green dot matrix that's been in use for like 15 years).