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2021 Prius Prime LE vs. XLE Remote Connect Question

Discussion in 'Prime Audio, Electronics, and Infotainment' started by phorse, Jan 17, 2021.

  1. phorse

    phorse Junior Member

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    I recently purchased two new Prius Prime's -- a 2021 XLE and a 2021 LE to replace an older Plug-in Prius and a 2011 Prius IV. I am using the latest IOS version of the Toyota App (1.1.8), and notice capability differences between the two cars. For example, I can remotely monitor tire pressure, change charge schedules, and view vehicle status (door locks, windows up or down and trip A/B details), on the LE but none of this is available on the XLE. The only thing I can do on the XLE via the app is view the odometer and distance to empty plus charge status. The XLE also does not show the fuel gauge icon or driver score history.

    I was thinking this has something to do with the fact the LE shows two subscriptions active - Safety Connect & EV Remote Connect and the XLE only has one - Safety Connect. However, if I click on add services on the XLE, the only option available is a paid Safety Connect subscription. When I look under vehicle capabilities on the XLE, it does show EV Remote Connect but can't figure out how to enable if it is required.

    Any tips would be greatly appreciated!
     
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  2. srivenkat

    srivenkat Active Member

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    This sounds like a bug to me that some remote services aren't available on the XLE, because this would generally have nothing to do with the dash/screen differences between the LE and the XLE. I think you are in a unique position in hashing this out with Toyota since you have both the trims and can argue on why the XLE isn't able to do these remote things that the LE is able to.
     
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  3. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Interesting. According to Toyota's publication, only Remote Connect functionality available to Prius Prime (all trims) is supposed to be Remote Climate control. It says nothing about other remote functionality you mentioned above (i.e. monitor tire pressure, change charge schedules, and view vehicle status (door locks, windows up or down, and trip A/B details). I commented on this in a different thread, but since I don't have 2021 PP, I can't confirm any of this. Historically, Toyota used different software for the LE (or Plus) model with a 7" display compared to XLE or Limited (Premium or Advanced) that came with an 11.6" display. This difference made some fundamental functionality differences such as AA being available only on the 2021 PP LE model but not on XLE or Limited. I am not sure if there are some functionality differences in the Remote Connect between those trims that Toyota did not include in the publication.

    Very interested in finding the final confirmation on the differences between trims.

    See my comment here: 2021 Prime | Page 3 | PriusChat
     
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  4. phorse

    phorse Junior Member

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    You may be right. Still investigating.
     
  5. phorse

    phorse Junior Member

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    I did more testing this afternoon and discovered that the climate control on the XLE actually works if the doors are locked. I discovered this when I actually tried remote climate control on the LE and got an error stating the climate control could not start and that I should check to ensure the doors are locked. I tried again on the LE with the doors locked and got a different error that it could not be started at this time. The fact that I could actually start the XLE remotely with the doors locked is leading me to believe the remote services are functioning even though Safety Connect is the only service listed on the XLE. I am still baffled as to why the Toyota App is giving me much more information about the LE since the XLE is more expensive. Perhaps it is a bug and I need to reset something and start from scratch.

    I'm hoping someone can review the Toyota app pictures posted at this link and let me know if this is consistent with what you are experiencing on your 2021 XLE and LE.
     
    #5 phorse, Jan 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  6. SciRunner

    SciRunner Junior Member

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    You’re not alone. 2021 XLE here. Toyota App 3.0 app only shows Charge Mgmt and Remote Services (remote climate function). My Eco History doesn’t even update under Charge Mgmt. Not sure why a lower trim Prime has way more functions on the app. I think Limited trim has the same issues.

    17B9D96F-69DE-49AD-939A-620F5ECF68D5.jpeg
     
  7. SciRunner

    SciRunner Junior Member

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    The only thing I can think of is the other functions work on the LE work because it goes through codes readable by Android Auto or uses it as a bypass and transmits to the app. XLE and Limited only have Apple Car Play and the typical data do not transmit as it may be block by Apple or a bypass is not allowed.
     
    #7 SciRunner, Jan 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
  8. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I think you wanted to say "a lower trim (LE) Prime has more functions on app." If this is case, it may be related to the fact 7" HU is more amenable to the integration of Toyota software that is available across other models. The fact only 2021 LE with 7" HU has AA integration, not on XLE or Limited with the 11.6" HU is evidence that higher trims have less functionality available. Maybe Toyota did not want to spend money or resource on the development of apps for only a few models with 11.6" HU. I might be wrong, but that's my guess.
     
    #8 Salamander_King, Jan 17, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2021
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  9. phorse

    phorse Junior Member

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    You could be right, and another reason I don't think the XLE is worth the extra money for me personally. The major differences between the LE and XLE trim are the seats (faux leather and driver side 8 way powered on the XLE vs. cloth and no power adjustable on the LE), the screen - 11.6" on the XLE with less functionality and no physical buttons for many commonly used functions vs. the 7" on the LE which I like better, wireless charging on the XLE which is totally unnecessary if you are mostly using Apple Car Play. If I had a do over, I would have chosen to save almost $2k with the LE trim over the XLE.
     
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  10. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    Agreed. I had a 2017 PP Premium (XLE equivalent) but hated the 11.6" display and faux leather Softex seats. Those two "features" are the main reason I traded it in for the 2020 PP LE. I was very happy with the 2020 PP LE, but then came COVID-19. I really did not need a daily driver anymore. I sold it recently for a ~$4000 profit. I am thinking my next car is going to be a BEV, but if I can't find an affordable one, I know I will pick up PP again. And if I do, it will be the LE model. LE is perfectly suitable for my needs and wants, plus the higher trims do not get much more resale value when it comes to trading it in again. I can make more profit by buying LE and selling it later.
     
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  11. DC_2004_Prius

    DC_2004_Prius Member

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    We wanted the 2021 Limited in order to get the blind spot monitor/sonar safety stuff - I'd actually prefer more buttons and knobs - so this is a bit annoying. Toyota: If you're going to give us the "upgraded/premium price" - and big touch screen, etc. HOW CAN YOU TAKE AWAY FUNCTIONALITY?.

    So despite my owners manual and online guidance - Entune 3.0 will not work for my vehicle - I can't monitor doors/windows, etc.?

    I like seeing the battery charging, etc. - but very annoying that the Prime model/trim that cost $6k less has better eco history/monitoring/control.

    Is there any chance this could be fixed/changed by Toyota with some kind of firmware update in the future?

    I LOVE this vehicle - love the lane tracing/blind spot - and wouldn't buy another trim level - and certainly didn't buy a car for the touch screen/apps - but JFC - it's a plug in EV/Hybrid - and the ability to see/monitor/tweak it is less on the most expensive model?

    Come on Toyota. Very annoying and disappointing.
     
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  12. Lutzbone

    Lutzbone I play the trombone

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    5124D7E0-F217-4A3B-A4A4-47CAD7653BDF.png 92ACFE76-D386-43E4-BD4C-6FEB14FB446A.png E3F31672-7A66-4AE2-8FB7-635D01B36AAA.png 9D4EA7A2-2B20-410E-BB3F-33CB5894C35C.png Hi there, just got a 2021 PP LE. Kind of off topic, but is anyone else confused about the Remote Services?
    I reviewed your pictures and they exactly mirror my app. I have a brand new 2021 LE, purchased just a few days ago. It is frustrating that the services do not seem to work as advertised... the remote connect support site seems to be down too (see screenshots)
     

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  13. Oliver Gucci

    Oliver Gucci New Member

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    I called SOS and Remote services and they said that my car is not capable of the Remote connect. I bought a brand new 2021 Prius Prime XLE and upon downloading the Toyota app, it only shows Safety connected services. Although it shows remote services with a START VEHICLE function, it won’t allow me to TURN ON my car, giving me a message “ SERVER ERROR OCCURED”


    Any tips??
     
  14. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    I just bought a limited. I am experiencing the same problem. SERVER ERROR OCCURED
     
  15. Banksy

    Banksy Active Member

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    I thought the LE doesn't support that

    Can you lock / unlock with the app?
     
  16. Ferretguy

    Ferretguy Junior Member

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    You need to have a EV charge for it to work.
     
  17. Neicy

    Neicy Member

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    So now "I" am completely confused. My salesman said I have remote start on my two week old 2021 Prime XLE. The manual makes it very confusing when it refers to features by "if available" too. I hate the fact that enabling Car Play negates all the features I used with Entune in my prior 2012. Remote A/C is at the absolute bottom of my list of useful features. I see it as a waste of energy. I don't like Siri but I do like using the voice call feature. I haven't found where the "projection" feature is described yet. Just a BIG learning curve after 9 years. And what about grill blocking? Do I or don't I? Don't like not having my gauges either - feel like I'm no longer in control of RPM or regen amps or coolant temp or SOC etc. And normal mode doesn't feel the same - feels too aggressive. Love the car but.......
     
  18. alexatie

    alexatie New Member

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    I have the 2021 PP Limited trim, also dont have the status alerts.
    I left the doors and windows opened, and i am not seeing status alerts.

    I am hoping there would be a fix and not a limitation because we paid more money compared to the lower trim.

    It's already a let down the LE trim has android play and the XLE and Limited does not.
     
  19. Ferretguy

    Ferretguy Junior Member

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    Yes, my salesman told me the same thing. After several weeks of tech calls and talks with the dealer, the dealer gave in and bought and installed an after market remote start.

    Remote Connect works for heating/AC if there’s a 20% or more charge.

    Projection turns into ApplePlay when an iPhone is plugged in.

    Entune isn't supported anymore as far as I can tell.
     
  20. bestmapman

    bestmapman 04, 07 ,08, 09, 10, 16, 21 Prime

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    The app is garbage in my opinion. I stopped trying to get it to work. Too much trouble. (2021 prime limited)
     
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