Prime Premium versus Advanced

Here's what I like about advanced, in order of importance.

Rear Cross Traffic Alert - I have always thought cars should be able to tell or show you what they can see that you cannot see from the driver's seat. Now they can.

Blind Spot Monitor - Similarly, I'm always worried that even if I look and look again, I'll miss a car in the blind spot. I use this as an extra check before changing lanes.

Heated steering wheel - I love this feature. Sure, if you live somewhere it never gets cold, you would not need this. I use this all the time in winter.

Intelligent Clearance Sonar - It beeps a lot, but when I'm trying to negotiate a tight area, it gives helpful clues.

HUD - While not absolutely necessary, putting some info on the windshield is a great idea.

Rain-sensing wipers - Pretty cool, especially in light on-again off-again rain. One fewer thing to think about.

Auto-dimming rear view mirror with Homelink - Had this on my previous car and saw no reason to give it up!

Premium JBL audio - While not a make-or-break feature, this is honestly the best car stereo I've ever had.

Things I haven't really used at all so no opinion:
Parking assist
Safety Connect
Smartphone apps

 

having avoided parallel parking intentionally for years I definitely want to try it out.
J

 

Update:
I have now tried the parallel parking assist a couple of times and it works great. Perfect for someone who doesn't parallel park often enough to be good at it.

 

For me, hearing that the auto parking feature has a tendency to scrap up my wheels is enough incentive to never try it. Unless Toyota offers to replace my rims/hubcaps when the autopark feature scrapes the curb.

I'd much rather have a 360-degree camera than autoparking.

 

have you tried the "parallel exit" feature? You have that also... when you're already parked and it's time to leave hit the park button again and it will pull you out of the spot. works pretty well actually!

 

How is that call made; is there some sort of two-way communication built-in to the car?

 

Yes, the Safety Connect uses its own cellular connection

 

Yep. There is a cellular radio. Verizon LTE.
J

 

Isn't SafetyConnect only on the Advanced? The SafetyConnect cell phone also enables the Advanced Entune applications (remote charging, vehicle location, remote climate control), which are available only on the Advanced.

Good thing it uses LTE. Verizon is shutting off their CDMA network at the end of 2019.

Which means no joy for our Canadian friends.

 

Doesn’t everyone have an Advanced?

 

Why do you say that? The phone can handle it, but it's all about the roaming agreements between Verizon and Canada... I would guess that Toyota could have enough clout to make the roaming charges go away if they wanted to

 

No. I wasn't aware of it. I'll try it next time if I think of it. I don't get many opportunities to parallel park.

 

Another update:
While I still haven't tried the parking exit, I got the apps on my tablet (don't have a smartphone) and now I can use an app to turn on the air conditioning. This is useful. I can't wait to try it in winter heat (well, actually, I can wait). Also, to get the necessary ID to set it up, I called Safety Connect with the button in the car, and that worked nicely.

So I can now say that every feature of the Advanced (beyond the Premium) adds something of value for me.

 

Safety connact is standard on all 18 prii, and i thought it was also on 17's but google isn't helping to ascertain.

 

I think you are thinking of Toyota Safety Sense-P (TSS-P). That was standard on all 17 and 18 PRIMES, but Toyota Safety Connect® | Roadside Assistance, Collision Notification & More! was/is only available in Advanced model PRIME in 17 and 18.

See it hear: 2018 Toyota Prius Prime MPG & Price

 

Thanks, mybad.