Dashboard information - good or not ?

I look forward to providing my subjective opinion, as directed by the OP.

I find the Prius C's instrument cluster includes one of the better MFD's in the business. It's effectively tailored to the vehicles core demographic (Gen X & Gen Y'ers, not senior citizens so old and blind that their core driving competence should be tested). The font and sizing for the MFD is acceptable given its distance from the driver, through frankly the MPH display size borders on too large, just like recent Honda Civic's. There's no reason to have a font size so large the SUV behind you can read it too. The various screens provide relevant and helpful information for a plethora of driving situations and also learning how the car operates its HSD, how efficient you're driving, and trip statistics that let you learn how different routes or times of day impact fuel economy, trip distance, and time. All these features create a data-rich environment that allows as immersive a driving experience as the driver prefers. Nothing is shoved down your throat, the driver can choose to use the information provided or ignore it.

The fuel gauge could use work. By the time the display shows one segment, it starts flashing, however the IP does not create an additional warning, or change the color of the flashing segment from green to orange or red. Orange and Red lights indicate caution or warning, a suitable color for when you're about to run out of fuel. The fuel gauge is the only notable functional problem I have with the IP.

From the factory, the Passenger airbag light is permanently illuminated. I find this irrelevant, as IMO the IP should only show warning lights when things are malfunctioning, not when operating normally.

The separate cruise control stalk is very convenient, as you can operate it solely by touch. Many automakers do this, a thankful stroke of HMI genius in a touchscreen-centric world. The HVAC is great, as it can also be operated solely by touch, since most of the buttons are different shapes, and the ones that are the same have dimples [like braille] that can be discerned by touch.

The displays are already too bright for people with vision that doesn't need corrective lenses or flashlights to read menus in restaurants. I kept mine on minimum brightness and found it ample bright. Having your instruments too bright at night creates unnecessary contrast and reduces your night vision.

Finally, the infotainment integration [mainly Bluetooth, but also USB/Aux] are fantastic, especially considering the cars price range. The Bluetooth uses A2DP and AVRCP, both of which make streaming and controlling music on a smartphone or iPod through the steering wheel or radio controls hugely convenient, allowing me to apply more attention to the road than fiddling with the phone. Such seamless integration is key to safety these days. Obviously, mahout's wet-dream for banning cell phone use will never happen in the real modern world. With the USA plunging closer to losing its 1st world status, business must be conducted 24/7, and however inconvenient that is for in-car safety, it's a reality and it's political suicide for all lawmakers.

In summary, I'm a big fan of the Prius C's IP, gauges, MFD, and infotainment.
Cheers,
Ryan

 

I agree this could be set up better. This just happens to be my work around for now...

 

There's also hands-free these days. Depending on the trim level of your C, there should be no risk factor for making or receiving calls (except for the mental distraction, but that happens with any audio input - radio, conversation, etc.)

 

I must admit to being curious: who is "our"? Are you speaking for a group?

​

This is where I disagree. Instantaneous MPG, charge, regeneration, battery status (and perhaps other things) can be useful to maximize efficiency of your driving.

 

I'll chime in as well I suppose. I have similar views to many of the comments made by others.

-I drive with the MFD on the HSI screen all the time and only rarely toggle through the other screens unless I'm stopped or specifically want to find something else.

-I would like the ambient temp to be displayed without needing to touch-tracer the temp. button.

-The speedometer looks like it was pulled out of a mid '90's LeBaron....... Even the one in the liftback looks better, and at least it's color matches everything else.

-Put the current MPG gauge back on the cluster vs. only having it accessible on the stereo

-Change the color of the airbag light...... Yellow means danger, and I don't need the dash visually shouting at me the entire time I'm driving to tell me it either is or isn't on.

 

I like the information provided, and I don't want my display dumbed down to cater to someone whose skills have deteriorated to the point they shouldn't be driving or because someone might be texting while they drive.

 

I am 65 and have not reached the point of decrepit. I have no issues with the size of displays on my C4. There are a couple of displays that I find just shy of useless but I tend to spend more time watching where I am going. Good thing for everyone. Eh.

 

Non-SLR digital cameras have solved this problem: they have a simple mode ("green mode") that gives you only the most basic options. Make an analogous option on the C that's enabled by default. People who want more options can enable "advanced" mode.