Upgrade head unit & tire rack questions??

Discussion in 'Prius v Accessories and Modifications' started by hswill, Apr 20, 2026 at 5:16 PM.

Tags:
  1. hswill

    hswill New Member

    Joined:
    Monday
    1
    0
    0
    Location:
    Illinois
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    Hi folks! I have a 2016 Toyota Prius V, and have two questions.

    1) On Clutchfield it looks like there a lot of options to replace the head unit. Ideally I'd like one that has apple carplay, can do wireless and wired connection, and has a volume knob - which may be a tall order. Anyone have any recommendations? It looks like the well-reviewed ones with volume knob would be a much larger 10 inch floating display - has anyone tried this? Does it look silly/make it harder to use temperature settings, etc.? Or do I just need to give up on the volume knob?

    2) This summer I need to take 2 trips (7 hours each) with the car that will require a bike rack. I'd like to get a used trunk mount bike rack, as I'll only need to use it twice (in the future I'd invest in a hitch and actual rack, but its too costly for what I need it for right now). On their website, it looks the Saris Bones Ex 2 fits, but not the Bones 2. Unfortunately I also see the Bones 2 available used - so I was wondering if anyone had successfully used it for a Toyota Prius V, or if I need to use the Bones Ex? Or, does anyone have a recommended trunk mount rack?
     
    #1 hswill, Apr 20, 2026 at 5:16 PM
  2. Air_Boss

    Air_Boss Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2012
    4,231
    1,190
    0
    Location:
    New Yawk
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Five
    We used the Saris Bones 2 on a Dodge Caravan that had a rear spoiler lip and near vertical rear window like the v. It worked fine NY to Ohio, and NY to Delaware (and back from each, twice). Nice kit, conformable to the geometry of the rear of the car, if a bit heavy and bulky.
     
    #2 Air_Boss, Apr 21, 2026 at 7:33 AM
  3. Tombukt2

    Tombukt2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 29, 2020
    13,530
    2,436
    0
    Location:
    Durham NC
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    Base
    Soundstream vdddr6 or number very similar to that in dash 7 Inch
     
    #3 Tombukt2, Apr 21, 2026 at 8:34 AM
  4. Weirderal

    Weirderal Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 11, 2019
    54
    8
    0
    Location:
    Pennsylvania, United States
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    I can't really help re: the bike rack, as I simply had a hitch installed...

    Re: the head unit, unfortunately, volume knobs only tend to come with the 10" screen ones with AA/Carplay on Crutchfield. It looks like the interior of the refresh is similar to the earlier version, in which case--do not exceed a 9-inch screen. I got a 9" for mine (Pioneer DMH-WT3800NEX, which has since been superseded by the WT5000NEX) and that top glove box only clears it by maybe a quarter of an inch.

    The volume increments on the aftermarket unit are much larger--I tend to have mine between 7 and 15 on a regular basis (7 in slow, quiet traffic; 11-13 on the highway, 15 when my song comes on). With that scale, I have no problem using the steering wheel buttons, which you can retain use of via the most complete "install package" Crutchfield recommends.

    I was glad I went with Crutchfield just because I retained access to the vehicle settings menu (lock when shifting from park, fob lock chirp volume, headlight off delay, etc.).

    Best of luck, whatever you decide to go with.
     
    #4 Weirderal, Apr 22, 2026 at 6:15 PM
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)