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2019 Prime plus reviews so far

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by johnchang7, May 17, 2019.

  1. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    This is my 2nd Prius. Had a 2007 that lasted about 260k miles. Still was good but was having some issues as of late. So got a 2019 prime plus and this is what I’ve noticed so far.

    Good:

    1. Doors seem more sturdier than the 07 model. Has that luxury car door feel.
    2. Been really enjoying getting over 80mpg
    3. When in all electric the car is really zippy. Great acceleration.
    4. Display really nice. Nav, Bluetooth, voice command, etc.
    5. Steering column now adjustable forwards and back.
    6. Hov lane eligible nice in CA
    7. Tax credits both fed and state plus electric co rebates.


    Not so good.

    1. Can’t turn off the reverse beep myself. Need to go into the system or have the dealer do it.
    2. No auto headlight. At least not my model. It has an auto high beam switch but I find it odd they put the time and effort into that rather than an auto headlight feature as standard.
    3. Can’t Unlock all doors with trunk. My model doesn’t have that feature which the old Prius did. Kinda weird.
    4. 4 seater only. Back seat has a console taking up the 5th seat. 2020 models are removing that console.
    5. No apple CarPlay. Pretty high tech car but doesn’t have this feature. I heard the 2020s will though. No big deal just kinda nice to have though.

    Overall very nice car. I’m hoping that it’ll last me like my old one. I’ve already had the dealer fix the reverse beep so it doesn’t sound like a commercial truck anymore.
     
    Arctic_White, bisco and mr88cet like this.
  2. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    My second Prius as well, previous one being a 2009, but at 130K only about half the miles of your 2007.

    Anyway, question: Were you able to turn off the backup beeper on your 2007? I don’t think there’s any option for that on our 2009.

    I picked up a Carista OBDII thingie a while back, in part to shut it off on our Prime, but haven’t had a chance to diddle with it yet...
     
    #2 mr88cet, May 17, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
  3. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    #2 bad. There is no “Auto” position on the turn signal stalk?
     
    #3 schja01, May 17, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    fair write up. congrats, all the best!(y)
     
    johnchang7 likes this.
  5. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    My recollection is that, indeed, the Plus trim does not have auto on/off headlights. Advanced does, but I can’t recall whether Premium does or not...
     
  6. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    I personally find auto-high-beams a super-convenient feature, and personally agree with making it higher-priority than auto-on/off, since I at least turn headlights on and off much less frequently than changing high/low.
     
    bisco likes this.
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    should be part of the safety package
     
  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Welcome to PC. Sound like you are enjoying your new ride. Are you getting this without EV?

    Some features you mentioned, like auto headlight and 3 door SKS are on the Premium trim. While I personally do not like 11.6 inch display and Softek material, 3 door SKS and power seat with lumbar support that are not available for Plus make up the dislike. Besides, I got my Premium trim less than Plus.

    Premium has auto on off headlight. One thing I don't like about auto headlight is that we have a state law requiring the headlight to be ON when the wiper is being used. This I believe is for the visibility issue just like Canada requiring DRL on all cars. With auto headlight, sometime when it is raining or snowing and I have to use wiper, it is still bright enough for the headlight to stay off, and I forget to turn on the headlight.
     
    #8 Salamander_King, May 17, 2019
    Last edited: May 17, 2019
  9. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    The 07 yes was able to turn it off through the menu. There’s YouTube videos going through how to do that. I believe the 09 should have that but not sure.

    I’ve seen videos on that carista thing which looks pretty slick. Might invest in one I’ve seen videos on that looks like a lot of customization.
     
    mr88cet likes this.
  10. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    Not on my model which is the Plus (base model). Sure would have been nice to have it though.
     
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    All Gen 2 (2004-2009) could have the backup beeper turned off by the owner. Starting with the Gen 3, you had to go to the dealer and it was reduced to a single beep.
     
  12. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    I guess if someone uses high beams a lot it would be pretty convenient. I rarely use it. Basically living just south of Los Angeles there’s a ton of lighting.
     
  13. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    Thank you. No need the EV to achieve those results. What I’ve been experimenting with is using the EV during city driving and then going hybrid on the freeways. My commute is about 20 mi one way so I’d be almost out. Today so far it registered about 130 mpg with the mix of EV and hybrid. Personally blown away. My 07 Prius I was stoked to be getting 55mpg. Coming from driving a Jeep Grand Cherokee that got 16 avg was huge.

    I’ve heard a complaint about the 11” display being a nasty glare at the right sun angle. Power seats and lumbar sounds nice.
     
    Salamander_King likes this.
  14. lextoy

    lextoy Active Member

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    high beams are great, but... the low beams of the Prime are also excellent, so i find no need for high beams most of the time.
    these are by far the best low beams i have ever had. auto high beams is a gimmick. ok i have it and i use it... but if i didnt have it i would not care at all. it also turns off/on ALOT !! at traffic lights, oncoming cars(ok thats good) anything it thinks is an oncoming car (bad). i find it distracting when its switching back and forth so often, probably 1/2 the time for no good reason...
     
    Prius from Dad likes this.
  15. johnchang7

    johnchang7 Junior Member

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    That’s really my concern with them not having the control I want and them turning on off randomly. But I live in a relatively dense area so may not do that but have experimented yet.
     
  16. mr88cet

    mr88cet Senior Member

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    So, living in suburbia, low beams are usually sufficient, but it’s also clear to me that high beams (where safe) can provide a huge improvement in visibility.
     
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    The few times I drove that '58 bug, I loved that foot controlled high beam. Dead simple, ergonomic.

    It's funny, as time goes by, how things can "die on the vine". Now, it's more fashionable, to inundate with tech and complexity.