What kind of cabin air filter?

i have found the oem to be much better quality than anything i've seen in auto parts stores. i also like the charcoal coated model. a new one very 15k is no biggie.

 

when you are in the parts store, they have a filter book. you just look it up by year and model. google also has this info. and, of course, the dealer parts guy knows.

 

I use TYC cabin air filters that are spec. for Toyota Prius. The TYC filters are also charcoal infused for the refresh cycle mode on your Prius.
They are very good quality at a very good price (compared to Toyota OEM). I have not measured the dimensions but if they are spec.'ed for a Prius that good enough for me. Compared to the OEM filter, they are physically identical.
TYC 800108C Lexus Replacement Cabin Air Filter

 

Pull it out and measure, at least for the dimensions. Not sure regarding flow rates, and all that, but doubt it's critical.

With the cabin filter I'd think you can be cavailier, use most anything; whereas engine filter, stick with Toyota.

 

TYC - it fits the Prius, is a good quality filter and cheap.

The cabin air filter is one of the most over-hyped and overpriced things on modern cars. A dryer sheet cut to size would be fine. In fact, you can run the car without a cabin air filter and have no real issues.

Getting a carbon infused filter is marketing hype designed to part you from your $$$. If tyc makes a non-carbon for the 2012, buy that.

The Purolator you bought is fine, but the whole "static charge" thing is overkill. Save your cash and get a TYC -- no carbon if available -- or use a hanky

As a caution, I thought I was replying to a Gen II post, so have no actual experience with a 2012 Prius.