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

G3 v. G2 - Better screen and associated controls?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Main Forum' started by Troy Heagy, Apr 21, 2013.

  1. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    The reason I'm asking is because I'm shopping for a used model. My quick testdrive (a lousy 2 miles) indicated the G3 screen was not quite as good as the G2 touchscreen.

    Of course it's hard to tell when the dealer won't let you truly test out the car. I tried looking around for dash photos to compare G2 versus G3, but they were hard to find on Startpage or youtube.
     
    #1 Troy Heagy, Apr 21, 2013
  2. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    You're deciding on 2nd or 3rd gen? I wouldn't rely so much on the touchscreen.

    3rd gen has improved hybrid drive including MG1 (?) gear reduction in transaxle. Allows the car to EV better at low speeds, parking lots, etc...

    3rd gen interior has quirks IMO, but overall a better car.
     
    #2 cycledrum, Apr 21, 2013
  3. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

    Joined:
    Aug 11, 2011
    2,652
    625
    15
    Location:
    Eau Claire, Wi.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Owned Gen 2 and now Gen 3. Get a gen 3, huge difference!
     
    #3 retired4999, Apr 21, 2013
  4. HTMLSpinnr

    HTMLSpinnr Super Moderator
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Dec 8, 2003
    5,339
    917
    251
    Location:
    Surprise, AZ (Phoenix)
    Vehicle:
    2018 Tesla Model 3
    Model:
    N/A
    Mid-cycle refresh 2nd gen (2006-2009) touchscreen wasn't as bad as the 2004-2005 iteration. There's "less to see" on the 3rd gen, as most of the information has been moved up to the Multi-information display, which is vacuum-fluorescent and prone to "burn-in".

    Also, are you comparing a mid-cycle refresh with Display Audio or Entune (different screens), or a 2010-2011 MY?
     
    #4 HTMLSpinnr, Apr 21, 2013
  5. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I don't know. Thought there was just G1, G2, and G3 priuses (not counting alternate models like C and V)
     
    #5 Troy Heagy, Apr 21, 2013
  6. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I'm still not sure anyone answered my question, so let me rephrase it: Which dash do you prefer overall? The G2 or G3? I found the G2 easy to use but the g3 was confusing during my testdrive.

    ALSO: Does the G2 come with the solar roof???
     
    #6 Troy Heagy, Apr 25, 2013
  7. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,749
    5,243
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    No contest, the G3 since it offers something the G2 doesn't...
    [​IMG]

    That meter is very informative. The placement of it rather handy too.

    I also really, really like the instant MPG gauge being placed right next to the speedometer.

    As for the solar roof, that was introduced with the G3.
     
    #7 john1701a, Apr 25, 2013
    F8L likes this.
  8. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Pearl S (GIII) gets better mileage than Pearl (GII) did.
    Yes, the screen can be confusing, as it does so much (with nav). But as above, there is more information available if you know where to look (two screens to distract you).

    It seems it's a tradition. Toyota brings out the car, then, in the third year updates it. So the GII 2004 and 2005 had slightly different "stuff" than the 2006 to 2009. The GIII 2010 and 2011 had slightly different "stuff" than the 2012 and 2013. "Stuff" being the screen and some options.

    As for power, little difference, even though the GIII has an 1800cc engine vs the GIIs 1500cc. Toyota will tell you the GIII has 10% more power and gets 10% better mileage. Both true, though it's tough to notice the power difference. The mileage shows on the displays and when you hand calculate.

    Looks, that's in the eye of the beholder. I like them both.

    The GII has more storage than the GIII and more storage compartments.

    In the US there are more choices re option packages I think in the GIII.

    You'd enjoy either car. The newer it is the less the probability of required service or problems. Usually. ;)
     
    #8 David Beale, Apr 25, 2013
  9. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    I just have to look for a low mileage Prius. The third insight I picked-up was 6 years old but only 28,000 miles. Owned by an old couple that rarely drove (and when they did, they took the BMW). I need to look for an old couple that has a prius
     
    #9 Troy Heagy, Apr 25, 2013
  10. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,080
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Depending on the price range you may want to keep an eye out for 2012 models which have a different main screen and a nice trip summary feature which displays fuel economy and such for your last trip. If those are too much then I would still consider a GenIII over a GenII.

    Trip summary screen in 2012+
    image.jpg
     
    #10 F8L, Apr 25, 2013
  11. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    [​IMG]
    Kinda reminds me of what's inside my Insight, except it only shows CHG and PWR (not the middle part). Pretty useful to limit yourself and boost MPG. Do all G3 Priuses have this?
     
    #11 Troy Heagy, Apr 25, 2013
  12. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2004
    12,749
    5,243
    57
    Location:
    Minnesota
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Yes. The advanced plug-in model also offers it with HUD (Heads Up Display)...

    [​IMG]
     
    #12 john1701a, Apr 25, 2013
  13. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jul 24, 2006
    5,963
    1,981
    0
    Location:
    Edmonton Alberta
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Thanks for bringing up bad memories. At least I hope they are memories for the next six months!
     
    #13 David Beale, Apr 25, 2013
  14. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

    Joined:
    Apr 21, 2013
    1,218
    4
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius
    Model:
    One
    All of this is just reconfirming my desire to get a Used G3. Thanks for answering all my questions.
     
    #14 Troy Heagy, Apr 26, 2013
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)