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Gen 5 Prius Prime (next gen plug-in) Wish List

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Tideland Prius, Dec 22, 2018.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's about that time to start work on the next gen model. I'd like to make this a reasonable wishlist but of course that shouldn't stop you from asking for something that maybe no one has considered.


    Let's get this started. I wonder if @Prius Team will read this.


    Mechanical/Electrical:

    1. 1.5-1.8 litre engine (probably Dynamic Force?) with valvematic. The 2.0 litre dynamic force engine is nice but I'd rather get power some other way. (the M20A)
    2. Better battery packaging that results in a flat load floor (including folded rear seats)
    3. Optional DCFC (if the battery size allows for it)
    4. Alternatively, a higher standard onboard charger for 6.6kW charging.
    5. Solar roof is nice but only if you can get 15-20km a day (8 hours) from parking in the sun. I realise the tech may not be there yet but it'll be nice to get that kind of efficiency from a solar panel.
    6. AC-Out dealer accessory for camping

    Performance:

    1. AER of at least 50 miles/80km EPA/WLTP rated (that means >110km JC-08)
    2. Better acceleration in both EV and HV mode (< 10 secs for both.. Preferably near 8-9 sec. FYI at those numbers, a Corolla will still beat a Prime. For those that think it's not necessary, this allows for decent performance when you're carrying passengers)
    3. Similar or better ride comfort
    4. Optional AWD-e (take advantage of the better weight balance!)
    5. Higher dual motor performance (I guess that comes with a battery that is capable of higher discharge rate?)

    Exterior:

    1. Full LED lights (including reverse lights)
    2. Water-repellent wing mirror glass
    3. Auto-dimming driver's side wing mirror (or at least anti-glare glass)
    4. Double-paned front door glass (acoustic front door glass that's currently standard equipment)
    5. Wheel well sound insulation (too much tire noise)
    6. A rear spoiler/split glass design that doesn't interfere with the auto-dimming mirror's dimming function
    7. Aerodynamic alloys that don't require the use of plastic wheel covers
    8. Longer wheelbase (but same or shorter overall length).
    9. Slightly shorter front overhang (reduce the risk of scraping the driveway or ramp if Toyota intends on keeping such a low ground clearance)
    10. Optional lightweight panoramic roof (unless glass is still the better option over resin like the Prius v). Can be fixed in place with optional "normal" moonroof.
    11. Alternatively, carbon fibre roof to reduce weight and lower centre of gravity (might be too expensive??)

    Interior:

    1. Better cloth fabric. It always seems that the base cloth feels rough and uninspiring
    2. Upgraded upholstery to include a premium cloth or cloth/wool blend instead of or in complement of Softex/Leather.
    3. Heated rear seats
    4. Memory for driver seat/mirrors (SKS-linked would be cool)
    5. Digital rearview mirror
    6. Interior door frame trim (not the exposed painted door frames on Gen 3s)
    7. A slightly more reclined rear seat. The Gen 4 seems a bit too upright (imo). The Gen 2/3s are fine.
    8. Side-mounted front seats (currently floor mounted)
    9. Fabric-covered sunvisors (like Gen 2/3)
    10. Fabric covered B-pillar (like the Gen 3 V/Five). Can make it optional
    11. More rear legroom
    12. Smartphone storage (some other cars have it built into the fold-down armrest, others have it built into the rear of the centre console, others have a pocket sewn into the front seatback)
    13. Water-repellent rear window (if the designers intend on leaving the rear wiper out)
    14. More bio-plastic pieces
    15. Piano black trim on door/window switch panel is ok. No piano black on MFD - fingerprint magnet
    16. New generation accent trim (I do not know... white/silver? blue/grey similar to Grey Bird's Eye Maple but without the wood imprint... some other design)
    17. Black/silver or black/blue upholstery (instead of black/white like the Cool Grey/Moonstone option)... or maybe just some contrast stitching (see new RAV4)
    18. More storage cubbies please (coin bin to the left of the steering wheel, dual glovebox or at least a larger lower glovebox)
    19. Small underfloor box in the cargo area for emergency stuff
    20. Proper bag or holder for the charging cable.
    21. LED interior lights
    22. Temp up/down and recirc buttons on the steering wheel. (or include Auto-recirc). There's still the occasional diesel truck or school bus that needs recirc. It's a two-step process to close the vents (vs. a single button on the steering wheel on the last two Prii gens)
    23. USB-C outlets

    Safety:

    1. Pre-Collision to include cyclist detection in the same direction of travel (I think the current 2.0 only detects if they cross perpendicular to you)
    2. PCS to include animal detection
    3. HUD to include PCS "Caution" indications (e.g. yellow light or box to highlight the potential of someone standing at the side of the road between cars or an animal grazing close to the road)
    4. Rear Cross Traffic Brake (already available on Camry XLE or 2019 RAV4 Limited)
    5. Wide View Monitor (Toyota's front-facing camera for peeking around objects such as a row of hedges or around a building in a city with a narrow sidewalk/pavement where the building in practically the corner of the intersection)
    6. Adaptive headlights (swivel)
    7. Adaptive high beams (US law should allow it by the time the next gen Prime comes out)
     
    #1 Tideland Prius, Dec 22, 2018
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
    Ming C, Arctic_White, GTprii and 7 others like this.
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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  3. RomanCro

    RomanCro Junior Member

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    Hmm...why did we start with number 52?

    SM-G950F ?
     
  4. triggerhappy007

    triggerhappy007 Active Member

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    -Liquid cooled battery
    -Apple Carplay and Android Auto (wirelessly even better)
     
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  5. KrPtNk

    KrPtNk Active Member

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    The ability to use the car as a generator to supply ac for camping or a power outage.


    (Edit). Sorry I didn’t see that you had included this in your list.

    You certainly put a lot of thought into this.
     
    #5 KrPtNk, Dec 22, 2018
    Last edited: Dec 22, 2018
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  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I find this separation of the Prius and Plug-In Prius "generations" confusing. I tend to think of the first plug-in as "3rd gen with plug-in", and the current Prime as "4th gen with plug-in".
     
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  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah I think that's how Toyota is playing it... maybe I should just say Gen 5 Prime?
     
  8. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    Would feel more comfortable calling it Gen 5 in that next generation if the standard Prius line adopts the plug with one or more trims.
     
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  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how many wishes came true for gen 4?

    i think this is gonna be the same list
     
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    That's a long wish list. If they come with larger cargo and longer range, and hopefully, option for a spare tire, I would be a happy camper.
     
  11. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you think that's long? wait until we get to 3 years and 5.000 posts
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I’d like to add USB-C charging ports to the wish list.
     
  13. EdW

    EdW Junior Member

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    - Ventilated seats
    - Higher quality door panel trim
    - Eliminate interior rattles
    - Rear wiper for Prime
    - Lane trace assist
     
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  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    we got 5 seats without anyone even asking?
     
  15. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    i

    Quite a comprehensive list.

    I'd like to see the owners manual in PDF format with a PDF reader built into the infotainment system. That would free up the "glove compartment" for more useful purposes.

    I'd like to see a real lane-keep-assist which either nudged the steering system back into lane or at least provided a tactile clue. Just having a beep is not particularly helpful.

    Do away with the many illogical features which are locked out when the vehicle is in motion. For example, why not show album cover art which is easier to recognize than having to read the title of what's playing on the USB. (Obviously, some features should be locked out while driving, but lets be more reasonable and consistent.)

    On the subject of lock-while-in-motion features, it would be nice if the car could recognize whether the driver or the passenger is reaching for the touch-screen. Often it would be helpful if someone in the passenger seat could look up something on the nav system or scroll through playlists or check other info.

    Provide separate memory for each key fob, so that the seat adjustment, side mirror adjustments, radio pre-sets, etc. would be specific to the driver. (Mrs. Bear would really like this because it was a feature on our previous car.)

    Include a defrost/defog feature which could be activated with a single button -- without starting the ICE! Right now, one has to go to the climate control panel and tap the fan speed control to get some air to blow over the inside of the windshield.

    And also the option of using a Level 2 EVSE at a higher current than 15A to decrease the time needed to fully charge the traction battery. (Something similar to what Chevy offered as an option on the final model year of the Volt.)

    Come up with a cellphone app with a better user interface than Entune.... and allow access from more than one cellphone number so that Mrs. Bear and I can both have access to things like starting cabin perconditioning, vehicle locator, etc.

    And be sure to keep the sheep.... we like sheep!
     
  16. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    What are you taking "camping" that requires 120 VAC? You can comfortably camp with an LED lantern powered by 3 x AAA batteries.
     
    #16 jb in NE, Jun 8, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2019
  17. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Impressive list. I’ll ask for some low hanging fruit types in addition to “@Tideland Prius”:
    1) ECO Accelerator Guidance on the HUD
    2) Solar Roof option
    3) Adjustable pop-up Speed Limit Display time all the way to 0.
    4) Wireless remote control linked operation to automatically open all the windows customization via the MID or Nav Screen (currently this option is only possible at the dealers).
    5) Adjustable automatic air condition assisted cooling during charging - currently you get only a momentary question that pops up when the car gets turned off. Should be able to say yes once when the outside temps hits a selected temp during May through September. We have a vested interest in keeping our battery cooled. Funny I got 3 requests today and the temperature got to 82.
    6) Adjustable automatic battery heater during charging - currently you get only a momentary question that pops up when the car gets turned off. Again temp selectable for a certain amount of time.
    7) Request turning on battery air conditioning assisted cooling during charging via the charge management Entune App.
    8) Request turning on battery heater during charge via the charge management Entune App. - for both of these the cabin can be preconditioned but not specifically the battery.

    Almost forgot.
    9) Glare proof navigation screen. If you’re going to put a tablet in the middle of my car at least make it so the sun doesn’t wash it out or I’m forced to put a matte screen protector on it.
    10) Low 12V warning when the car gets shutoff. That way I’m prepared before the dreaded warning when attempting to start the car. So far I’ve had to jump the car 10 times.


    Unsupervised!
     
    #17 drash, Jun 8, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 9, 2019
  18. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    I keep all the manuals in Dropbox and in my phone & tablet. Took them out of the glove box as soon as I got the car home.

    Ditto. The current setup seems very primitive and lawyer driven. There is already a weight sensor in the passenger seat for the airbag, and a sensor to tell if the seatbelt is connected. If both are yes, you have a passenger and the passenger should be able to use the GPS. The Waze app just asks if you are a passenger, can't be more simple than that.

    Ditto, although my wife has never driven mine. There should be an option to have both keyfobs programmed for the same settings.

    I think this already exists, but you have to enable it? I found that most of the driver-assist settings are not very useful, so I have disabled all of them.
     
    #18 jb in NE, Jun 8, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 8, 2019
  19. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Pass. Just one more thing to break.
     
  20. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    USB-A is more universal at this point and you can plug in any cord that converts to your device. In your case, a USB-A to USB-C cable will do the trick. I have three Lightning, 2 micro-USB and 2 USB-C devices: the USB-A receptacle is the most flexible for this mix.
     
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