I love my new prius but if there was one thing I would like to change...

hmm, that has never happened to me.

 

better seat for base PiP. no lumbar support/power driver seat.

 

that's two things, really.

 

actually, there are really only two reasons the engine starts up, and they are never mysterious:
–heater usage
–acceleration that's too hard

 

The dashboard display. The user interface is ugly and cluttered. Some of the screens are just unnecessary and the information is awkwardly presented. They need to hire a UI designer.

 

I hated that too.. but installing some Dynamat or other sound proofing material made a huge difference in the way the door feels and sounds when closed/slammed.

I also hated the base steering wheel. Being a primary point-of-contact, the sandpaper-like texture of the plastic steering wheel seemed unfinished and unfitting for a car built in this century.. so I replaced it and have been much happier since.

 

what did you replace it with?

 

Center arm rest. Elbow in the cup holder is not comfortable.

 

Here's a pic of it.. its hard to tell, but the top and bottom are black "wood grain".. its hard to see the grain unless under direct sunlight.. but the leather wrapped portions are really thick and beefy.. it was about $200 and took about 15 minutes to install

 

Why not leather all around? And why the high (IMHO) price?

 

Haha.. price out the one with "leather all around" (i.e. OEM) and you'll answer both of your questions.

But I like that it's not like the stock leather one.. that's part of the fun.

 

I really do dig it. Do you have more details on this one that you did? And still, why so expensive? That's just the part, right?

 

I'm just not a fan of shiny wood in general, I think it looks tacky even in a 60k Lexus…

 

+1

 

I've purchased two of these for different cars and they are very, very nice. Takes about hour+ to install with a big needle and leather string. Very good quality, better than OEM. Thumbs up.

Toyota Leather Steering Wheel Cover - All Models Custom | eBay

 

I got mine from eBay (just search 'prius steering wheel') from a seller that shipped from Hong Kong. But you can order them here (in the US/CA) :

Steering Wheel

Sometimes they have some in stock, sometimes you have to wait like 2-3 weeks (at least from what I read).

Why so expensive? I do not know.. The stock leather one is like $600. Junkyards/dismantlers sell the plastic sandpaper version for about $100-150. So I thought $200-220 was a good deal for a pretty big upgrade.

You shouldn't pay anyone to install it either. There's a walk through in the Mods and Accessories forum. If you lived near me, I'd even offer to help you do it. It honestly takes about 15 minutes to replace.

 

A new 2012 OEM Softex steering wheel is about $400. I installed one and very happy about it. The leather one (2010, 2011 model) is about $550.

OEM Softex steering wheel on v | PriusChat

 

+1 on center console/cup holder placements = awkward

- cheap cloth material hanging between dashboard/steering wheel when messing w/the Tilt/telescopic feature, c'mon Toyota!
- Advanced is supposed to have LED lights for energy savings yet non LED's are still used. Fog lights, license plates, interior lighting..Wth!!?!
- Softex doesn't have that luxurious leather smell

-- i just got my PIP this past wknd so I'm sure I'll add to the list

 

Not true. There are at least 3 other reasons I know of:

1. EV battery depleted.
2. > 62 MPH (I have gotten to 64MPH, however)
3. > ~120 miles of EV only driving

I have seen all 5 of these reasons on my car.
I am at 80% EV usage over the lifetime. 3500 miles EV only, 800 miles ICE.

And just to stay on subject - the main things I would change would be:

1. EV driving range - should be more.
2. EV cutoff at 62-64MPH - should be higher.