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Canadian versus US model differences

Discussion in 'Local Prius Club Main Forum' started by hiremichaelreid, May 17, 2008.

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  1. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    I had a hard time trying to compare US models with Canadian. There seem to be different trim levels and fewer options in Canada.

    I've ordered a base model 2008, which is called the "Special Edition" here. As far as I can tell:

    - All Canadian Prii have the US Touring model wheels and tires. I'm not sure if the suspension is upgraded like in the US Touring. Anyone know ?

    - The base model I'm getting seems to be like a US package #1, except that it also includes:

    - Anti-theft from package #3.
    - Auto-dimming mirror with Homelink from pkg 3.
    - Fog lamps from pkg 4 (but no HID lights?).

    Has anyone else noted any other differences ? I haven't outlined the differences in the other 2 trim levels in Canada.
     
    #1 hiremichaelreid, May 17, 2008
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Here's something I put together:
    http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-most-countries.html

    Alternatively, here are the differences:

    US:
    - MAIN'T REQ'D light
    - availability of HIDs
    - availability of leather-trimmed seats
    - Spectra Blue Mica
    - base model with no cruise, tonneau cover, seatback pockets or trim rings
    - AUTO-OFF function for headlights

    Canada:
    - automatic headlights
    - DRLs
     
    #2 Tideland Prius, May 17, 2008
  3. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    Thanks!

    I can't imagine that US has Maint Req'd light but Canada doesn't ? So my Canadian Prius won't tell me when an oil change is needed ? Hard to imagine.

    What's the difference between AUTO-Off for headlights and automatic headlights ? Here also, I find it hard to imagine US and Canada are different.

    Everything else makes sense.

    I'm still wondering if we get the Touring suspension components, since we get the Touring tires and wheels whether we want them or not.
     
    #3 hiremichaelreid, May 25, 2008
  4. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You're not missing much with the MAIN'T REQ'D light. it's just an "idiot" light. It comes on every set kms. It doesn't track your oil life. I guess Canadians are just that little bit smarter :D heh.

    AUTO-OFF means that if you forget (or too lazy) to turn the knob to the OFF position, the vehicle will shut off the headlights for you. In the Prius, it's linked to the driver's door so as soon as the driver's door is opened, the light goes off.

    AUTO headlights means that there is a light sensor and the headlights (if the knob is in the AUTO setting) will come on and off as necessary. The good thing about it is that if you have the headlights on during the day (you manually switch it on), the light sensor knows it's daytime and will not dim the MFD or speedo (unlike the US models which will dim). The same goes if you travel into a heavy tree-lined road and it's dark enough for the lights to go on, the dashboard won't dim. Smart! Of course it'll shut off by itself too and is linked to the driver's door.

    I don't know. A friend of mine is a salesperson and he told me he couldn't tell the difference between the 07 and 08 model so it could be we strictly got the cosmetic stuff. I wouldn't mind the 16" alloys since I think the spoke design looks better and fills the arches better even if it costs me 1mpg. :)
     
    #4 Tideland Prius, May 25, 2008
  5. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    Auto-headlights sounds nice if there are 3 positions: Off, Auto and On.

    I've been leaving my lights on for years, with auto-off, on the presumption I am more visible with low beams at all times, and people are less likely to jump in front of me. But I want the option to turn them off too.

    Yes, the 7 spoke looks nicer than the 6 spoke, and has more spokes too. :)
     
    #5 hiremichaelreid, May 26, 2008
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    It's OFF, Dot, ON, AUTO (the dot being the parking lights and taillights only) on the Canadian model.

    The DRLs are running at 80% full intensity so you'll be fine leaving it in DRL mode unless of course it's misty or foggy or just darn cloudy and you want the taillights on too.
     
    #6 Tideland Prius, May 26, 2008
  7. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    #7 hiremichaelreid, May 29, 2008
  8. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    I saw the pics. Nice ride!! I wish I had the 16" alloys when I bought the car.
     
    #8 Tideland Prius, May 30, 2008
  9. hiremichaelreid

    hiremichaelreid New Member

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    Yeah, I'm happy. :)

    Do you know when the 16" alloys were made standard in Canada ?
     
    #9 hiremichaelreid, May 30, 2008
  10. Fibb222

    Fibb222 New Member

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    Another thing that I think might be different between CAN and US Prii, is that the CDN MFD mileage counter doesn't automatically reset after a fill up. At least I've never seen mine reset but I've heard many people say that it does.
     
    #10 Fibb222, May 30, 2008
  11. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    2008

    You have a 2004 ;). 2006+ models auto-reset.
     
    #11 Tideland Prius, May 30, 2008
  12. Ozzyprv

    Ozzyprv New Member

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    What about the 2008 models?
    I have never seen my MFD resetting after a refueling...
     
    #12 Ozzyprv, Jun 25, 2008
  13. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    no idea. Did they change it back?

    wait a minute.. I might've messed up my years. 04/05 models auto-reset the Consumption Screen avg. 06+ doesn't.
     
    #13 Tideland Prius, Jun 25, 2008
  14. fotomickey

    fotomickey New Member

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    Huge Difference.... no waiting list + price-break + Government Rebate.
     
    #14 fotomickey, Jul 1, 2008
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    and now an extra $1,600 off the MSRP (not counting the $1k off in June)
     
    #15 Tideland Prius, Jul 2, 2008
  16. grand total

    grand total Member

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    It's $1900.
     
    #16 grand total, Jul 2, 2008
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    obviously I can't subtract :p hahaha thanks for the correction.
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Jul 2, 2008
  18. Stefx

    Stefx Member

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    My km reset to zero after a fill-up.

    However, the fuel economy rating seems to be running since I bought the car... it doesn't reset and recalculate for the specific tank. (the one at the bottom on the energy screen).

    I got 4.8L/100km on my last tank, then I filled up, and the first three bars in 15mins were around 6.0, but the fuel economy indicator remained at 4.8.
     
    #18 Stefx, Jul 8, 2008
  19. toppshelff

    toppshelff New Member

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    Did we ever get verification that the Cdn premium included the euro-suspension? On the Toyota website, it sound more like the non-touring suspension.
     
    #19 toppshelff, Nov 29, 2008
  20. grand total

    grand total Member

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    I've driven 4 non-Touring Prius and now our Canadian 2008. Ours feels tauter though that is very subjective I know.

    Interesting that the Canadian 2009 base model has dropped 16" aluminium wheels and wider tires. They're part of the premium package this year.
     
    #20 grand total, Nov 29, 2008
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