Confused about traffic display

Unlike earlier models, the Prime does not use SiriusXM for traffic data. It uses the free HD radio data, which is a digital service carried over FM broadcast stations. Some (all?) Prime trim levels have Sirius XM radio, and you need to renew that (and pay for it) in your own name if you wish to continue to receive that. But you don't have to renew anything to continue to get the traffic data. I had SiriusXM traffic when I had the first generation Plug-In, but I cancelled that when when I traded the PiP for a Prime.

 

It is. Mostly.

The small problem IS that for it to work, you must be in range of an FM station that broadcasts that information.
They are present in most major cities.

But you don't have to get too far out in the boonies before it won't work.
And you have to go in and ask for traffic data to SEE if it is working or not.

It is nice but don't count on it too much.

 

Where are you located? Some may want to claim their city as having the worst traffic. Reminds me of the bar scene in No Time for Sergeants :

IRVIN. And sergeants . . . we got the roughest, toughest, meanest sergeants in the whole service.
SOLDIER. Go on, you don't know what a tough sergeant is till you've been in the infantry
IRVIN. Ain't nobody tougher than my sergeant. He's tough!
KING. I sure am! I'm a louse, ain't I, Irvin?
IRVIN. Yes, sir, you are.
KING. Thanks, Irvin
SOLDIER. I don't know, you look like a pretty decent Joe to me.
KING. (Rises) You take that back!

 

The manual says that it will use the HD Radio and/or the Entune app for traffic. My 2014 Prius would just use the app, and it wasn't that bad. I just don't think it refreshes as soon as the HD signal. One caveat is you have to have the Entune app running at all times in the background, but in my case it always seems to launch automatically when I'm in the car.

There's also a setting for preferences about which one to use.

 

I think all you need is a properly equipped radio/GPS.
Phone features have nothing to do with it.