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Disappointed in Gen 4 lack of phone holder & storage space

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by LibraryMary, Mar 15, 2021.

  1. LibraryMary

    LibraryMary New Member

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    Hi all,

    In November, I finally traded in my 2007 Prius and got a 2021 AWD Prius. I have no complaints about the handling, and the AWD has come in very handy during the snowy winter, but I absolutely cannot stand several things about this car. I've lived with it for four months now (I've had plenty of time to "get used to it") but in so many ways I think it is worse than my old Prius, especially the interior styling of this newer model. I'm really thinking about maybe selling it and getting a different type of car, because this one's interior enrages me so much. Thank you for listening to my complaints, and if you have any suggestions (or know I'm doing something wrong) please let me know.

    1. They took a LOT of storage space away - the top glovebox, the compartment under the main hatchback floor, the pop-out storage thing below the touch screen. In order to store things I use frequently I've had to buy an anti-skid mat and a cheap storage container from Wal Mart and place them on the flat space below the touch screen area. It is not aesthetically pleasing, and not what I'd expect after paying over 27K for a new car.

    2. I cannot find a decent place to keep my phone. It seems stupid for them not to include a place to put one's phone. At first I thought the narrow slot in front of the console was supposed to hold the phone, but it's tilted the wrong way (or am I missing something?). I tried a cupholder stand, but I didn't like only having one drink holder and it was awkward to turn my head to look at the phone if I was driving. Then I tried a pop socket holder (but I had to attach it to the right side edge of the touch screen, otherwise it would interfere with the start button and the windshield wiper control. I really didn't want to use a vent phone holder because that interferes with the air flow. Has anyone found a good option for a phone holder?

    3. The USB port is located by the center console, so if I have the phone mounted on the dashboard or in a cupholder stand, the USB cable gets in the way of everything. Why the heck couldn't they have put a USB port on the dashboard to cut down on the amount of random cables getting in the way of the cups in the drink holders?

    4. I am a short person. In order for me to reach the pedals, I have to move my seat fairly far forward. This means that the center console is behind me and is difficult for me to open. Not to mention that the latch for the center console is very hard to differentiate from the rest of the console, so I had to put a Velcro dot on it so that I could find it with my fingers.

    5. The on/off switch for the radio is located so close to the "saved contacts" section of the touch screen that I had to remove all my saved contacts because I'd accidentally call them while feeling around for the on/off button (because I was driving and couldn't look over). Something similar happens if I try to use the tune button - I usually brush the touch screen instead and that brings up a whole different screen.

    I could go on, and on, and on about all the ways in which I find this new model inferior to the 2007.... but you've taken enough time reading my tirade. Thank you for listening. I've always found this forum incredibly helpful.
     
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  2. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

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    At least on my 2020 AWD, there’s a great spot for the phone... the charging pad.
     
    2020XLEAWD, markrivers, krmcg and 2 others like this.
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i can't speak for other mfg's, but toyotas lack of phone holder spot is complete ignorance, and lack of attention to detail.
     
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Isn't there a dedicated space for a phone - there is in the 2016. I keep mine in my pocket.

    Yes, I agree, a dumb place to put the USB outlets. But think yourself lucky - in USA, you get knobs on the RADIO. We just get a piece of glass with markings (which move).

    As for the underfloor storage, there are 2 issues.

    1. In your case, you've opted for AWD, and under the floor, if you look, is the inverter and other "stuff" related to the rear wheels driving.
    2. - and most importantly, the car is a totally different car. There were some carry-overs from Gen2 to Gen3. But Gen 4 was the first car on the new TNGA - an architecture which is the basis of why your new PRIUS drives astronomically better than a Gen 2.

    I guess they could have made a Gen4 based on the old architecture - but it would have bombed on the market, I suspect. I for one wouldn't have bought one, having driven the old ones and walked away.
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  5. priusmatty

    priusmatty Active Member

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    My 2020 Eco has a phone spot. It is right underneath the shifting knob.
     
  6. Pulse07

    Pulse07 Active Member

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    Im totally with you on the glove box being small. I actually had to move my owners manual out of there to put other things in.
    I keep my phone on the passenger seat or in one of the cup holders , sometimes between my legs.
    I dont have a problem with the USB near the center console because I rarely use that to charge my phone.
    As a short person also, Yes, my seat is forward and the armrest is totally unusable as a arm rest.
    You can actually move the little rectangles around in the setting so the contact screen it to the right. I peronally totally removed the phone in the squares because my contact data doesnt seem to sync . Like when I try to dial with the screen, it takes forever, I just use the phone instead.
     
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Yes, I agree, the glovebox is hopeless. With the manuals in, there wasn't room left for my gloves.
     
    AzWxGuy likes this.
  8. dbstoo

    dbstoo Senior Member

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    One of the things that I find to be kind of dumb is to buy a new model of anything and then expect it to be just like the one you used to have. The 2007 did not have AWD. 2007 did not have Safety Sense anti collision features. 2007 had an arm rest that you had to get used to also. 2007 had neither Andriod Auto nor Apple Carplay. I could go on and on.

    If your biggest problem today is figuring out where to put your phone when driving you have a better life than most people on this planet.

    Dan
     
    jerrymildred likes this.
  9. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    Agree - and was ... not very inviting to drive.
     
  10. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

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    As far as your phone reply, I place mine in the tray for the phone but stand it upright against the gear shifter bezel area. My phone is quite large and I can see some not being able to do that, but it is secure with the case I have on my phone anyway. Just my 2 cents. I agree with you, a lot less cubbies than other cars back in yesteryear...which is quite annoying!
     
  11. LibraryMary

    LibraryMary New Member

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    Dan, you’re right. That puts things into perspective. These are definitely first world problems.

    Thanks.


    Thank you, Rob, I’ll try that.

    I didn’t play around with the touch screen enough to know you could rearrange/remove stuff. I’ll do that too. Thanks for the suggestion!

    Is that the slot? I couldn’t figure out how to keep my phone in there when it’s plugged into the USB, and when the phone is down there I can’t easily glance at it while I’m driving. But I’ll try it again, maybe I’m missing something. Thanks!

    thanks for explaining the AWD equipment is where the extra cargo storage used to be. The person who sold me the car was not experienced at all with Prius. Her main experience was with other Toyota models. In retrospect, I should have asked to also speak to someone who is knowledgeable and enthusiastic about Prius to explain the car’s features and quirks, and to answer my questions, before I drove it off the lot. So I can blame a lot of this frustration on me. (Which is, well, frustrating.)


     
    #11 LibraryMary, Mar 16, 2021
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 16, 2021
  12. RRxing

    RRxing Senior Member

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    Ah yes...First World Problems...
     
  13. LibraryMary

    LibraryMary New Member

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    Yes, I do know that, thanks.

     
  14. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace Senior Member

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    Also in many (most?) places it is illegal to use your phone while driving.
     
    AzWxGuy likes this.
  15. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Suggestions:
    1. Sell the car.
    You've already stated "why" in your OP.....but NOTE the use of the word "sell" rather than the word "trade."
    You paid $28,000 for a $25,000 car and you changed it from a new car to a used car.....so you're going to have to try to fill that $6000 hole in with something.
    I would use TIME.
    People trade cars in because it's easy and fast.
    Selling the car outright takes longer.
    Also.....you're dealing with the trifecta of horrible car buy timing.
    TAX season plus Biden Bucks plus there's a damn dam of pent up demand...so this is a singularly BAD time to be thinking about buying a new ANYTHING.

    B. Before the divorce....start seeing other cars.
    Yeah.
    I know.....it's supposed to work the other way around with people, but you really need to DRIVE your next car before you do all of the paperwork. FORTUNATELY.....most new cars can be rented for a weekend.
    You seem to be somewhat......er......"particular" about your cars so a 5-minute drive around the block with a sales associate drooling all over the place and fogging up the passenger side window seems to be poor research strategery.

    III. The phone....
    I don't drive in the garden state, so I personally don't care what you do with the phone....however (comma!) YOU should for fairly obvious reasons!!
    My 2010 Prius is a stone-age car as compared with models from this decade, so I can understand somebody "wanting" a phone mount in older cars in the same way that I can understand somebody wanting a drive-thru daiquiri store......but THIS is 2021.
    The least expensive cars sold in North America come with infotainment screens that 'speaky the cell phone' whether you have a Droid or an Apple, so "where you keep your phone" should not be much of a "thing" for you.
    The most basic cars sold today will allow you to tether your phone to the car either by Bluetooth or with a cable.

    Good Luck!
     
    MIkeDr likes this.
  16. JZ2

    JZ2 New Member

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    No matter what car I drive I’ve always just throw the phone on passenger seat with my other daily items I bring. Once I started really using CarPlay there is not much you can not do that would be needed while driving.
     
  17. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

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    I frankly love the way the Prius works with technology. I purchased a wireless CarPlay gizmo that plugs into the USB port. I stuck it to the console with some double sided tape. I enter the vehicle, place the phone on the charging pad for charging, and use the phone on the Prius’ screen via CarPlay. It connects within 30 seconds or so.
     
  18. tomguild

    tomguild smugmobile owner

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    There's a wireless CarPlay gizmo? I just moved from an '09 to a '21, and yeah, I notice the drop in storage, but to be able to have CarPlay without the usb cable hassle would be...wonderful. Where did you get it?
     
  19. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

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    I got the CPLAY2AIR gadget from here:

    https://cplay2air.com

    I used two sided tape to affix it on the front vertical surface of the center console, and leave it plugged into the USB port all the time. Has worked flawlessly. The only downside is that it take about 10-20 seconds for the car to first see it, and then for it to see the iPhone.

    I’m still going back and forth between whether I prefer Google Maps or Apple Maps. I used to prefer Google, but it’s been routing me lately on a lot of side streets presumably to minimize travel time, but makes for harried driving (Seattle neighborhoods have quite a few two-way streets in which both directions of traffic share the same lane if cars are parallel parked... while drivers here are pretty good to making sure everyone gets their turn driving down the street without anyone having to back up, it’s not the most pleasant driving experience).
     
    #19 MIkeDr, Apr 18, 2021
    Last edited: Apr 18, 2021
    tomguild likes this.
  20. MIkeDr

    MIkeDr Active Member

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    This review on their site is spot on... the only time I’ve had a problem connecting is when the phone was already connected to a WiFi network and therefore didn’t switch over to the CarPlay’s WiFi network.