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I'm driving the 2016 Prius next week. What do you want to know?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Danny, Nov 2, 2015.

  1. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    Toyota UK just announced Prius specs and pricing, and for Europe, every Prius gets power seats, LED headlights and much more, as well as $2.5k increase in price. I dont think this will happen in the US though, but European strategy is interesting certainly.

    New Toyota Prius price and specifications announced
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    power seats are sweet, but that is a hefty price increase.
     
  3. C W

    C W Junior Member

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    Thanks for the welcome, and for pointing me to the Vegas show threads. That said, nothing beats the hands-on testing from someone like Danny who truly knows the different Prius generations and can make a well-informed (and informing!) review. I'm looking forward to his report.
     
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  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Hmm, yes I would experiment with that. Hopefully you're able to find a comfortable position. The new Civic looks quite sharp. I think Honda did a good job keeping it unique (similar to what they did for the 2006 MY. Make it look different from other 2006 compact cars).

    I agree on focusing on seat comfort but the price is already lower in some sense. More equipment is added (like ABS or keyless entry) that were optional or not available before. The 2001 Prius cost US$19,990. Using this website, Inflation Calculator – US CPI Inflation and Dollar Value from 1913 to 2015 it's the equivalent of US$26,744.95 in 2015 dollars. A new Prius is $24,200 and has more standard equipment than the 2001 model.
     
  5. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    base model yes, but base has smart entry, LED headlights, power seats, 15" alloys, TSS+ (precrash/radarcruise)...

    If we look at top end model, new one is same price as old one but with leather (old UK didnt have leather), as well as a lot of other equipment... so basically more car for same price.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's a decent list additional standard equipment

    • Dual zone automatic climate control w/ S-Flow
    • Full-Speed DRCC
    • PCS w/ Pedestrian Detection
    • LDA (different from LKA)
    • AHB
    • Road Sign Assist
    • Bi-Beam LED
    • 10-way power driver's seat

    but TSS was supposed to be a low cost comprehensive package. So does that mean the rest of the cost is for the other items? @GrumpyCabbie, what do you think of the new prices?
     
  7. SAronian

    SAronian Active Member

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    Wouldn't it be amazing if Toyota offered a software upgrade for current PHV Advanced models to enhance the DRCC to make it Full-Speed?

    I know - I'm dreaming.
     
  8. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    DS, I just had a crazy idea regarding the power adjustable seat. First, my 2012 G3HB/T5 has the power seat and I can testify to the fact that there are countless combinations of seat positions that are simply not available on the manual seat (many, many). How about this idea, but bear in mind that I have not researched any part of it, and I have no clue whether it could work.

    Try to find a power seat in your color at a salvage yard or a used parts dealer - one out of a vehicle that is otherwise wrecked. I would bet that it would bolt right in with the same four bolts that mounts the manual seat. I have had my power seat out of my car for some other, unrelated mods. I can tell you that all of the switches, motors, drive linkages, and etc. are a part of the overall seat assembly - fully self-contained, therein. Is there a possibility that the power seat assembly simply requires 12 volts and a ground? I think there is a 50 - 50 chance that this seat swap is possible and doable.

    Check it out, let us know what you think. Hey everyone, any thoughts on this?

    :eek:
     
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    That could actually work. The oldest Prius with power driver's seat is 2012. Although, that would mean he has one seat in SofTex and the rest of the interior in cloth heh. Minor detail. Side airbag should function as normal, right?
     
  10. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    Ah, yes - upper trim levels only - bummer. Never the less, the powered seat is well worth having. It's not just that it is powered by motors & switches but that every seat adjustment parameter is individually adjustable. Hopefully someone will try this and report back.

    :eek:
     
  11. MrBillTulsa

    MrBillTulsa Member

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    If you were to find a powered seat at salvage but with different fabric, maybe you could buy both front seats - left and right. At least that way, the two would match. Getting that far, why not consider buying the rear bench & back, as well.

    :eek:
     
  12. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    I can't speak for anyone else...but while the Softex, adjustable, heated, power seat with lumbar in my 2015 model Four is an improvement over the manual seat in my 2010 model II...it is still uncomfortable. I would not waste the money looking for take-offs if comfort is the reason. The seats suck like the stereo systems. YMMV.
     
    #112 frodoz737, Nov 6, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 6, 2015
  13. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    In Europe, due to taxes and customs, TSS C is $800 in Auris with all the options (TSS C in Aygo has less options and is $300)... TSS P gets bundled in base Prius and LC200 so we dont know of the price if it was separate option, but i reckon it would be considerable part of the increase... in any case, it is certainly not really base anymore... I would say thats more equipment than you get in your average premium sedan in Europe let alone base (3, C class, A4) :).

    I would also consider top version cheaper than before as it now has real leather vs cloth and more equipment like blindspot monitor, power seats, etc, that are not currently available.

    Now this is just UK pricing, not sure what will rest of the Europe look like since UK gets pretty unique models.[/QUOTE]
     
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  14. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    p.s. LDA also has assist, it is same system as in Lexus. It will steer you back into lane, we dont know how much though since it just came out.... but it is not just alert.
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    [/QUOTE]

    True. Even on this side, those vehicles are equipped with just the basics.

    I thought the T-Spirit had leather, just like the Prius Five has leather.

    Then why change the name to LDA (and A stands for Alert not assist)?


    Edit: N/m I think I figured out what the difference is between Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist vs. Lane Keep Assist. Ok, now I know why there's a different name. It's a very subtle difference but I guess it's feedback from customers.
     
  16. civicdriver06

    civicdriver06 Active Member

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    Lane departure alert in Europe also includes steering assist,but what about a sliding sunroof ?
    Looks like we are not getting the option !?
     
  17. frodoz737

    frodoz737 Top Wrench

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    Find out if the interior dome light/s will time out like the headlights if left on.
     
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  18. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    Here is the insane number of questions I've pulled out from the thread based on what I think I can realistically report on. I'll try to cover as much as I can. If you have something not covered in these questions below, please feel free to continue posting questions.

     
  19. energyandair

    energyandair Active Member

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    Any significant improvements or changes that are not obvious and were not mentioned by the marketing guys? (There might be stuff of real interest that was thought to be too techie for the typical buyer)
     
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  20. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
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    • How flat is the engine torque curve (from an acceleration run)? Do the EV motors help mask any butt-dyno dips?
    • Within reasonable and legal limits - can you break the front tires loose from a standing start? i.e. If there's an increase in torque, will some drivers have a difficult time controlling it, or is traction control pretty well tuned to eliminate any starting drama? If you happen to be in a rainy situation, this would be much easier to do too, but dry conditions are just as interesting.
    • Specific to EV speed - what's the fastest engine off speed w/o the EV button? i.e. 3rd Gen is engine off at 42 mph, but can go up to 46 mph before it kicks back on.
    • Navigation/Infotainment impressions. Is it intuitive enough to safely operate while moving w/o consulting the owner's manual first? How much data can you show on the HUD or center display?
    • When testing the pothole loss of regen, does the HSI or similar meter showing charge/assist represent the cut in regeneration (if it exists), or does it continue to lie and state full charge like the 3rd gen even though you're operating on friction braking alone?
    • Braking feel - is it just as disconnected as the previous generations?
    • Noise isolation - how loud and intrusive is the engine under acceleration?