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Prius Owners: I need your help!

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by LauraToyota, May 20, 2013.

  1. BobInSEFlorida

    BobInSEFlorida Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2013
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    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    We are a dual Prius family: 2007 Prius 2 and now with a 2013 Prius 5 with the Advanced Technology Package (ATP). The bells/whistles which accompany the Prius 5, primarily the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), were the main drivers for our purchase. We LOVE the DRCC and the Lane Keep Assist (LKA) and the Pre-Collision System (PCS) are all worth the extra money. Gas mileage should have improved by 5 mpg from the '07 to '13, but we haven't realized this yet. Hope this and the following help.

    Improvements
    • Gen III: 2013 Prius has a more integrated instrument panel. A/C is at your fingertips in the Gen III; 2007 Gen II A/C controls were buried in the display screen.
    • Heads Up Display (HUD) is our favorite new feature. With the HUD, the instrument panel was more centered on the console, so passengers can view more readily.
    • Back seats are noticeably more comfortable in the '13. Perception is there's more space.
    • Instrument panel and Navigation/Audio Display have tons of features to learn per economic mileage, brake regeneration, cost per trip, etc.

    Disappointments
    • 2013 Prius 5 has a cheap plastic dashboard and console. Paying $10-15k more than Model 2 you'd think Toyota would have invested in upgrading this. Glove compartment is smaller and less functional than our 2007.
    • Driver/Front Passenger door panels have built in water bottle holders; 2007 had more functional space to hold more.
    • Center Console: Although the instrument panel is closer as a result, it seems a waste of space for very little the lower console can hold.
    • 2013 CD player is functionally clumsy; the front display literally pivots vertically to reveal a CD player which appears odd and even clumsy. The more conventional player would have been nicer and likely less expensive.
    • Car doors feel 'tin can'y-ish, like an old Mazda Protégé we owned years ago. Very surprised by this.