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Why do the 2011-12 models not have backup cameras like the earlier ones?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by itssupernatural, Aug 19, 2020.

  1. itssupernatural

    itssupernatural Junior Member

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    I have a 2011 Prius, and also recently had a 2012 before it got totaled. Well long ago before those, I had a 2007 Prius (yes I'm on my 3rd one, I am loyal here) and it had a backup camera. My young self was so in love with that brilliant technology.

    But later when I was forced to get a used 2012, I was floored by the fact that none of them had the camera anymore! Nothing I could find anyway. And damn, that was so hard to get used to backing up the old fashioned way! And now my 2011 is the same, of course.

    Question is... WWHHHYYYY? Why the hell did it lose that featured technology going forward in time? I know that it has the feature back in these recent years, but it's just so stupid to me that there was a gap of time in between where they got rid of it!
     
    #1 itssupernatural, Aug 19, 2020
  2. NewHybridOwner

    NewHybridOwner Active Member

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    Depends on the trim level, perhaps? Perhaps your 2007 Prius was a higher trim level than your 2011 and 2012 cars.
     
    #2 NewHybridOwner, Aug 19, 2020
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  3. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    The 2008 law that paved the way for these cameras didn't have a hard requirement in it, but it got the ball rolling.

    Unfortunately it was just in time for (that particular) economic recession and all carmakers were under pressure to remove expensive features from new cars for a while.

    The inclusion deadline was kicked around for a while, but it didn't become a real requirement until 2018.

    Between those and other forces, you see some cars had it and others didn't.
     
    #3 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 19, 2020
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  4. ASRDogman

    ASRDogman Senior Member

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    Some did come with a backup camera. It depends on the package.
     
    #4 ASRDogman, Aug 19, 2020
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You had to get the embedded navigation for a backup camera.

    Although I thought by 2012, it was available on all except the base but I guess not.

    It was optional on your 2007 as well, just like it was in 2012.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Aug 19, 2020
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    my 2012 has one

    but some people got the small radio screen, and back up cam is in the rear view mirror
     
    #6 bisco, Aug 19, 2020
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  7. Grit

    Grit Senior Member

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    Im floored that the base model only exist in your world :whistle:
     
    #7 Grit, Aug 19, 2020
  8. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Your 2012 must have been a Two. The backup camera was standard in all trims above that. I have it in my Three.

    In 2010-11, the backup camera was part of an optional Nav package in III (3) and higher, not available on the II (2).
     
    #8 fuzzy1, Aug 19, 2020
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