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What DON'T you want changed in the next Gen Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by aomC, Apr 12, 2014.

  1. aomC

    aomC Member

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    I suppose we all have a wishlist of things that we feel can be improved upon for any new generation car. What I can't stand is when things change for the worse (or don't make any sense, or are part of a cost cutting measure).

    For instance, I have an 01 BMW 740i Sport and every piece of plastic (the pillar covers, door panels, etc) are either padded vinyl or cloth, no hard plastics. I have a newer 750i where a lot of the surface areas are.. you guessed it... hard plastic (not even rubber coated, just plain hard grainy plastic). Or how in in my 08 Prius Touring, the glove box and part of the dashboard was a very nice, thickly padded vinyl... of course on the 3rd gen, the entire dashboard is hard thin plastic (at least it doesn't squeak, fingers crossed it stays that way).

    What features, technologies or design do you hope Toyota keeps with the 4th Gen?

    For instance:

    I hope they keep the touchscreen NAV. I can't stand any controller based Nav system, no matter how good it is, I find that the simplicity and interface of a Touchscreen unmatched. (Try, for instance, scrolling around with a controller based system).

    I love how the windows SLOW down as they get to their max close or open position (my 08 LS460L did that and at first I thought something was binding, then found out it was feature).

    Love the ALL Auto up/down Windows (you see those disappearing often from cars) and how the switches are lit at night.

    Footwell ambient lighting, very nice!

    Autoheadlights

    I hope they keep the hidden tonneau cover in the tray, very convenient.

    Individual driver and passenger heated seats with high/lo settings. I notice the regular prius might only get a single switch with one stage for each side?

    The electric fuel door is cool, vs. using a cable release like most cars.

    Rear armrest WITH cupholder (not even the Lexus CT200h gets that!)

    Standard Jack and toolkit (even with the lack of spare, they did include that under the driver seat).
    ____________________________
    Anything else I'm missing?
     
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  2. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    All I can think are improvements of existing features. like PCS that actually stops the car like the Subaru EyeSight. Avoid the body shop all together rather than current PCS of spending 5G instead of 10G on collision repairs.
     
  3. KennyGS

    KennyGS Senior Member

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    I think you've chosen all of the features I would also prefer to remain, although I wouldn't be opposed to seeing any of them improved upon - even in some small way.
     
  4. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    Things they need to RESTORE to the next-gen that were LOST in the last:
    • Wider door pockets you can actually store things in
    • A useful storage compartment using the top of the console lid (currently wasted space)
    • A ridge or slot to let you grip the cargo-area cover with one hand to pull it closed
    • Reprogramming the audio system so the steering-wheel buttons move through stations/channels in the CURRENTLY PLAYING group
    • Dash slot for fob for valet use
    • a "suspend navigation" feature on the NAV system
     
  5. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    All the nooks and crannies my 04 has to store my stuff.
     
  6. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Not sure which model you have, but my hatch has two handholds, on the left and right sides.
    My steering wheel buttons move through the pre-programmed AM, FM1, FM2 and SAT channels.

    EDIT: Oops, thought you were talking about the hatch, not the tonneau cover...My bad...
     
  7. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    With almost a childish anticipation the thing that seems to haunt me most about questions concerning the next Gen Prius is whether Toyota keeps the rather controversial flying buttress dash design.

    It's not on the v...or the Prius c, will the standard Prius continue to have it? Or will Toyota abandon it?.

    All my other evolution "wants" would probably primarily be under the skin. Can they improve performance and efficiency.

    Oh...except for on entry level Prius? I really think Toyota needs to make a better feeling steering wheel. When I first got my Prius I could barely stand the plastic, cheap and scratchy feel of the entry level steering wheel. You have to work to make one feel so bad. Thank You Wheelskins. At least it's passable now.

    I also have complained about the location of the singular USB port in the Prius. Please move it somewhere more easily accessible than the dark underside deep within the center console.

    Things to keep?

    All the things mentioned...are things I like about my Prius.
     
  8. aomC

    aomC Member

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    Oh Yes, I have to say I think the storage bin on the doors are basically just cupholders, I do wish they kept them a bit longer so you could actually put stuff in it.
     
  9. drysider

    drysider Active Member

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    Don't change the 60+mpg capabilities. I really like the Gen3, having had a Gen2 for 4 years. If the Gen4 makes similar improvements, it will be just fine with me. I have to say that most of the issues/changes noted above are not a priority for me.
     
  10. ursle

    ursle Gas miser

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    Keep the Toyota emblems
    Just moved to a remote location, need all wheel drive @ 60mpg's, now;)

    Citroen hydraulics, bmw seat comfort and handling, titanium structural components, carbon fiber everything else, factory garmin;)
     
  11. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    At the same low, low price! :p
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    this is a difficult question to answer. there is nothing i like so much that it couldn't be improved. however, it's as the o/p stated, what will they remove/cheapen/change to something worse in the next gen?
     
  13. aomC

    aomC Member

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    I believe they will be removing the touchscreen and doing a controller based interface and putting a normal speedometer stack in front of the steering wheel vs. the center ones we have now. But they might be adding dual climate control.

    The NAV change is going to make the next generation a dealbreaker for me, if that really happens.
     
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  14. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Good choices, aomC.

    Add to that the silver door handles and tail trim. Kind of makes it stand out aside from just the extra fuelling door.

    I actually like the mini spotlight centering on the shifter. Wife has used it to actually look at a couple of things without blinding me with the reading light. And everybody is fascinated with it actually.

    And the dual glove boxes although they could have left the shelf in the top one.
     
  15. DtEW

    DtEW Active Member

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    I recommend that they do not reduce the high practicality of the car. Coming from a small sport sedan with only a ski pass-through, the voluminous nature of the 5-door Kammback design is quite the revelation. Keep the ability to fold the rear seats nearly flat. Find ways to keep from adding space-constraining buttresses to the rear shock towers (this is done in many cars with w/folding rear seats in a bid to improve chassis rigidity). Keep the center tunnel low and flat so that long objects can be easily laid across the rear seat floor.
     
  16. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    I love what you wrote here. I really like that all the windows are AUTO. I just got a 2014 crv ex-L and only drivers is. Kinda annoying.

    I wish that when you "lock" the windows that the driver could still have the master ability to move them up & down. I have a 3 and 6 year old so I would like to keep them locked but still be able to open.

    One thing I don't love about the screen is that it is not protected by teh sunlight. If we are going towards the light- it can be difficult to see.
     
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  17. stephensprius

    stephensprius Active Member

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    In addition: they need to keep it a hatchback.
     
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  18. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    Definitely keep the hatchback. I'll need to buy a truck otherwise.
     
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  19. samuraisd

    samuraisd Junior Member

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    Add a better handle on the hatch door in the center, so I don't have to 1) Look up to find the indent-type handle and think about which one I should stick my hand in and pull, left? or Right? and 2) do a lateral pull down (reversed palm ) and pull halfway and then switch my hand and grab the outside to continue to close the hatch door. To sum that up, I can't really close the hatch with one hand. If there is a handle inside the door that drops down a bit and I can pull it with the iron-man palm out stance, I could possibly close the thing all in one continuous motion, and when the handle hit the bottom it retracts inside. How's that? I even design it for you already. Hack, I might just DIY it on my current car now.
     
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  20. PRPrius

    PRPrius Active Member

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    1) Move the back up camera to the center and add guidance lines.

    2) Add a second sensor to the auto-dimming rearview mirror. I wish it had the ability to adapt to light from behind even if it is hidden from the sensor by the rear spoiler.

    3) Rain sensing wipers (currently available in overseas markets)

    4) Dedicated subwoofer

    5) Memory settings for the power driver seat. (Linked to the individual fobs)

    6) Side turn signal repeaters (preferably built in to the side mirrors like in the overseas markets)

    7) A more advance HUD like the one of the Kia K900.

    8) Speed limit indicator.

    9) All LED lighting (turn signals, back up lights, license plates, door lights and vanity lights)