1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

any way to easily externally tell an 06 Prius from an 07?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by cwerdna, Nov 11, 2006.

  1. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Are there any visible exterior changes to the 07? I know for the 06s (and 07s), the Hybrid badges appeared on the front left and right sides, so at least one could easily tell them apart from 04s and 05s.

    No need to go into any changes that are readily apparent from the outside like side airbags being standard.
     
  2. Tlyke1983

    Tlyke1983 Red Sonja

    Joined:
    Sep 13, 2006
    70
    1
    0
    Location:
    Wisconsin
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    To the left of my rear license plate is a small black square. It's the camera. Otherwise I can't see anything.


    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(cwerdna @ Nov 11 2006, 07:18 PM) [snapback]347601[/snapback]</div>
     
  3. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tlyke1983 @ Nov 11 2006, 07:00 PM) [snapback]347660[/snapback]</div>
    But that was available on 06s (I've got it) and I'd doubt they removed the feature for 07.
     
  4. orionll

    orionll Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 27, 2006
    1,115
    1
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    In a word, no. Unless you are comparing a 2007 Touring Prius to a 2006 Prius. Then the wheels would be different and the spoiler would be slightly larger. But if you are comparing a 2006 Prius to a 2007 Prius, no difference.
     
  5. Stev0

    Stev0 Honorary Hong Kong Cavalier

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2006
    7,201
    1,073
    0
    Location:
    Northampton, MA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Which brings up a good question - what major outside changes have been made since the 2004 was introduced?
     
  6. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Nov 11 2006, 10:28 PM) [snapback]347721[/snapback]</div>
    The easiest is the addition of the hybrid badges as I mentioned on the 06+ models. The backup camera was also only available AFAIK on 06+ models but it's not standard on all packages. The dash materials also changed to ones w/a rougher texture in the 06+ models but you'd have to take a peek thru the windows.
     
  7. Bill Merchant

    Bill Merchant absit invidia

    Joined:
    May 3, 2005
    4,096
    81
    13
    Location:
    USA | Oregon | Portland area | 97004 |
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    The rear brake lights of the '06+ are chrome, prior they were black. The interior of the headlamps changed, prior ot 06 they are plainer.
     
  8. 8AA

    8AA Active Member

    Joined:
    Feb 29, 2004
    550
    62
    0
    Location:
    Maryland
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    What I look for first are the brake lights; if they are tinted on the top section (in-line with the lower hatch window), then it's a 2004.

    If the brake lights are clear all the way up, it's either a 2005, 2006, or 2007.

    If there is a hybrid emblem on the fender behind the front wheels, then it's a 2006 or 2007. Also the bar across the grille is silver on the 2006 and 2007, but the same color as the body on the 2004 and 2005.

    I'm still trying to find a visual cue to differentiate between the 2006 and the 2007 models.
     
  9. kdailey356

    kdailey356 New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 11, 2006
    111
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Nov 12 2006, 08:34 AM) [snapback]347777[/snapback]</div>

    **If the brake lights are dark, it is a 2004 OR 2005
     
  10. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Nov 12 2006, 05:34 AM) [snapback]347777[/snapback]</div>
    There are none AFAIK. The only way to tell is if that person is driving a Touring Edition, or if it's in Canada, he has Magnetic Grey (MGP wasn't offered in 06 in Canada).
     
  11. ddhill

    ddhill New Member

    Joined:
    Nov 12, 2006
    3
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Tideland Prius @ Nov 12 2006, 01:08 PM) [snapback]347849[/snapback]</div>
    And the Touring has a longer spoiler and different wheels...
     
  12. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

    Joined:
    Apr 23, 2005
    3,862
    18
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2022 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(8AA @ Nov 12 2006, 05:34 AM) [snapback]347777[/snapback]</div>
    Considering Sigma Automotive sells both it might be kinda fun to get those and add them to a 2004 or 2005. :)
     
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    44,767
    16,014
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Technically, you can visually make any 04-06 Prius look like the Touring. Just add the chrome grille, wheels and Type B spoiler (HYBRID emblem for 04/05) as aaf709 said.

    Only the keen spotters can tell the difference (unless it's an 06, then all bets are off).

    I'll let you figure out what that difference is btwn an 04/05 with the add-ons vs. an 07 Touring :p
     
  14. samoan_ridah

    samoan_ridah New Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2006
    80
    1
    0
    In California, you can tell by the presence, or lack thereof, of an HOV sticker. Since the stickers were already out by the time the MY2007 cars came out you won't see those on any of the 07's. :p

    As an aside, who really cares anyways? B)
     
  15. Drift Motion

    Drift Motion RMS13

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2005
    178
    0
    0
    Location:
    Pasadena/Riverside, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samoan_ridah @ Nov 13 2006, 04:42 PM) [snapback]348490[/snapback]</div>
    ahha 07ers... :rolleyes: sucks for them
     
  16. skruse

    skruse Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2004
    1,454
    97
    0
    Location:
    Coloma CA - Sierra Nevada
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Additionally, there is a slight variation in the design of the headlights and tail lights. Not in dimensions but in "reflective" strips built into each. The 2007 Touring has a slightly longer air wing at the rear. The 6-CD player is now built in where before it only took a single CD. The "storage" space at the bottom center of the dash is now open. The center console has an auxillary port for your iPod (plus the 12V outlet). The heads-up display in front of the steering wheel is "reversed" left to right, while providing the same information. Leather interior is an option. While traveling the vehicle appears to have more solid handling and quieter.

    To the average nonPrius driving observer, there is no difference in a 2007 vehicle.
     
  17. cwerdna

    cwerdna Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2005
    12,544
    2,122
    1
    Location:
    SF Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(skruse @ Nov 13 2006, 05:16 PM) [snapback]348519[/snapback]</div>
    All of these are true on the 06 as well, yet you can't see the HUD easily from another car nor can you see the aux in port at all from the outside.
     
  18. dachshund

    dachshund New Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2006
    54
    1
    0
    Did any of the colors change?

    I'd love to know when the various colors were added, because I keep seeing in shades that are no longer available. I wonder what year those were. For instance there's a darker green and blue.
     
  19. DaveinOlyWA

    DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!!

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2004
    15,140
    611
    0
    Location:
    South Puget Sound, WA
    Vehicle:
    2013 Nissan LEAF
    Model:
    Persona
    that black square next to the license plate is the lock/unlock for the SKS. the backup camera is a kinda round thing just above the license plate in the middle of the car rear.
     
  20. cobra94563

    cobra94563 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 5, 2006
    48
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(samoan_ridah @ Nov 13 2006, 06:42 PM) [snapback]348490[/snapback]</div>
    No....some 2007's came in time for stickers.....we have one :D