Prius IV - 2011 vs 2012

I think the 2012 looks much nicer than the 2011. The audio/Nav system has also been updated. There is no reason you can't buy a 2012 at least $500 over invoice. There likely will be clearance prices on 2011's but why buy something older looking when you can have the super awesome 2012 look

Mike :madgrin:

 

The front bumper and grill gives the 2012 a little more aggresive look IMO. Also, the wheels look a little more fly with the black rims and silver covers. I really don't like black wheels on a sedan though. Only certain cars like performance ones (WRX, etc..) look proper to me with black rims.

I believe the 2012 GreenEdge JBL is designed to use less electrical power. The solar roof package also gains the HDD navigation, right? should be better.

Overall, I think the '12 is a little better looking, but the rear tailights are not quire as nice to me.

 

I bought a 2011 five a couple of months ago and I was able to look at the 12 prior to the purchase.

They did upgrade the audio in the 2012 and it has a couple of nice features -- I did not find that the sound was any better -- the audio in both the 2011 and 12 is just OK. The HUD is interesting. I am also not a heavy user of the NAV.

The DRL on the 12 are a plus IMO. I normally drive with the headlights "on" in any car w/o DRL. The Prius five has LED headlights so I keep them on all the time on the 2011 -- they have auto off after about 30 seconds. So this works wonderfully -- but the four does not have LED headlights. I surprised that the 12 did not come with auto on and off headlights.

The 2011's do not have the power seat. The actual seat in the 12 was no more comfortable then the 11 .... I don't need the extra rearward moment that the PS provides. This is one thing you need to test out -- if many people drive the car or you need the extra movement .....the PS may be the biggest reason to go with the 12.

While the leather in the Prius is no Jaguar ... I liked it over the softex. Not sure why Toyota did this .. cost I would think.

I was able to get a very good deal on the 2001 five ... a bit over 500 under invoice plus zero percent for five years with no money down ... so the difference in financing was about 2800.00 savings vs the 2.9 on the 12 ... and that was only for 3 years. The financing was the biggest savings --- the 2011 will always be worth a bit less than a comparable 2012 so you have to get that upfront saving on the 2011.

I hate to blow anyones bubble but almost no one can tell the difference between the models -- and that includes all the Toyotas. It is really amazing when you look down a row of them at the dealer .......the salesmen are even confused when they try to find the one you have the key for ...... Oh thats a Camry ... thats a V.

I can barley tell the difference between my 11 and my neighbors 2005 vs the 11 - 12 minor differences

You want the sunroof -- I had already decided that I did not need the roof for the 2k that Toyota charges... I was originally going with a IV with NAV w/o roof - They offered me a good deal on a five (you can't get the roof on the five) -- so I went with that for a few bucks more.

So in the end I was many thousands of dollars less getting he 11 five then a 12 IV -- and the differences were minor when you are talking about iv's in each year. The changes in the standard equipment make a bigger difference on the 3's between years.

Good luck on your decision.

 

As a new car, the 2012 will stay fresher for longer until the next redesign.

 

Get the 11 if you're ok driving off the lot in a car that is already a year old. Also, go check out the Softex seats in person before you write them off just because they are not real leather.

 

The 2011 is also the last year without the vehicle proximity noise.
I just bought a 2011 3 and am happy with it. I figure the $3000 price difference now will be maybe $300-500 on resale or trade.
I'm happy keeping the cash in my pocket.
I'm also getting clazzio seat covers for the cloth seats for far less than the upgrade from Toyota.

 

If the price difference is substantial and they have a color combo that you like, get the '11. I don't think the difference is worth the extra money. Besides, insurance might be a little cheaper on the older model.

 

32kcolors -- our 11 has an build date very late in the year .. From what I understand Toyota made them into November while the first plant ramped up ... I was shocked how quickly they must have made and shipped these cars to get them to the USA ... I wonder if the 13's will becoming out at the usual time. So I'm not sure what you are referring to with "fresh" ...... almost all of the 11 I looked at just came to the USA ... and this was January 2012.

If you are talking about the design -- it is more of a change then an update -- I bet if I showed someone a 12 and then told them that the 11 was the new one ....they would have no idea.

I have now been looking at a V for the company and after my employees are in a couple of different Toyotas - they can't tell them apart .... it's funny

 

True, it's mainly Prius owners or people familiar with Prius who'll notice the difference. Just a feeling like you have the latest thing until the next revision happens.

 

The 2012 Three has auto off projector headlamps & the Four has auto on & off projector headlamps. All 2012 have LED daytime running lights. The noise maker can be unplugged under the front bumper on the drivers side right in front of the splash shield for the wheel well.

Mike

 

I want my car now out:

Mike :tea:

 

So hard to concentrate on other stuff when I know it is so darn close to being here. Crazy waiting since 2009 to buy one of these cars. So close...

Mike

 

That is interesting on the headlights -- I did not notice the fully "auto" on the 12 .... nice to see.

I also did not notice any noise reduction on the 12 -- anyone know where it is?

 

I feel a little in the minority here, but I noticed a really huge difference in the two cars. I actually almost bought the 2011 Prius Package IV with the sunroof last year, but after I test drove it, I was really unimpressed and decided to just stick with my old 2005 Prius. I never thought about it again until this year. I went to check out the Prius C, just out of curiousity. It was cute, but not worth a new car payment. Then my friend said, while we are here lets check out the 2012 Prius IV with a Solar Roof and I went along for the ride and was BLOWN AWAY! Couldn't stop thinking about it for weeks...researched everything I could and finally just bought one last weekend. I'll tell you the things I love:

- the Heads Up Display (HUD)...what a Godsend! Never have to take your eyes off the windshield you are looking through to know when to turn or how fast you are going.
- the Power Seat (driver's side) with sooooo many different positions. I am short and can make myself feel like I'm sitting high up in an SUV and and the lumbar support feels like one of the fancy chairs at Brookstone.
- a much smoother ride....feel like I'm just floating on a cloud most of the time (whether I'm in EVO or Power mode...love that)
- HDD Navigation and bigger screen. Live traffic is fantastic
- loving the Entune...wow! Until I figured out the best way to use it, I was frustrated. Now I have it down pack and am just so enjoying it's luxuries. Bing, Pandora, Live traffic breakdown, Severe Weather Alert, MovieTickets.com, Open Table...think you'd never use this? You would be surprised how handy they come in when you are out and about.
- Softex...love it and I'm the one that will only buy leather couches. I love leather, always have...but the Softex won me over for three reasons: it's much softer and more comfortable with no break in period, it will never harden and crack like leather does and it can be treated with protection with NO change in color. I paid for the protection (which is not expensive) and anything you spill on it won't get absorbed, just beads off...guaranteed. It also looks really nice/expensive.
- I think the new lights look great and are brighter in the front and the back
- Heated seats are delightful
- the back up camera either has much more clarity or its the high definition that comes with the larger and better HDD Navigation screen

I think that, plus the $$ amount of having a one year newer car will give more of a return in your investment should you want to sell it down the road makes the extra money worth it.

One last note, Navy Federal Credit Union is offering 1.7% financing on up to a 60 month loan right now....making it pretty nice to buy a new car right now.

Just my two cents, for what it's worth!