2006 Toyota Prius interior

Well, if you recall there were opinions passed around here with folks complaining about the 04-05 interior and how the plastics seemed cheap. I never agreed with that. Would describe the darker plastics on the dash and the upper half of the doors as "sikly" in texture. Very appearling and nice to touch. The bad part was that somebody with perspiration or greasy hands would leave finger marks, but that is easily removed with a damp cloth or some mild soapy solution.

If I were to guess I would say that the change to a more agressive texture was to reduce finger sumdging. The result is an unplesant feelign texture and one that might old dust more easily than the previous surface.

Oh well, models change, stuff changes.

 

I think they did it 1) because most people think the smooth surface looks "cheap" (the word "rich" is often seen with "textured" in advertising); and 2) scratches are much more visible on a smooth surface.

 

I think that will be a long term bene of the textured surface

 

I must dissent, I love the new pebbled finish! With a nice micro fiber cloth
and a swiffer it is easy to keep clean.

 

I personally like the new look!

 

i think to us 04-05 owners the 06 looks funky inside because we have already established the idea of what a prius "should" look like on the inside.

that said, i prefer my 05, thanks

 

I saw one up close last weekend for the first time, and I REALLY don't like the new surfaces. Mine comes in sometime next week - I think I'll just look away from that part of the car. I hate to the think of what happens if someone spills a latte all over the dash!

Dave

 

Well said.

I was going to get a new one but that was the main reason to pass. Dropping the roadside assist helped too. The glitzy stuff and mfd are pretty, but I will keep the function of the override on the DVD as well.

 

The new surface detail doesn't strike me one way or another. I've noticed, like others said, that it's less likely to scratch and cleans more easily than earlier years.

Purely speculation, but I wonder if the cushioned textured dash surface (it gives when pressed) might have some kind of sound absorbing quality? My '06 seems quieter than my '04's and '05's, especially road noise transmitted into the cabin, and that may be part of the reason why...unless that Paul McCartney concert did some damage last year. :blink:

 

Oh yea....your '05 is like......last year!

 

It doesn't streak when cleaned with either water, car wash solution or 303 Protectant and a microfiber cloth. Both surfaces are probably equally clean, but the textured surface looks cleaner when finished and takes less time for a better result.

 

OK, I just went out and looked at the '06 interior. The plastic dash seems ok to me. No one has complained yet. I think they could have found a nicer texture for the plastic, as it is a bit too coarse.
I guess I will live with it.