Quality Differences

I have a 2009 so I can not comment on the cargo mat - the only thing that I would say is that the thickness does not correlate to quality - in fact if Toyota used better quality materials it could be that they have made a mat that has similar or better quality that is lighter and less material intrusive.

Before my Prius I had a VW Passat - the mats were included with the car but not installed when I picked it up - they were incredibly thin but lasted and wore as well if not better that any other car that I have had.

As for the privacy shade - my dad has a 2010 that I have loaded stuff in and out of - I did not notice any significant difference between his and mine, though I was not looking.

 

Quality means many things to many different people.
I've only got 8,000 miles in type, but my thoughts are that my G3 is a fairly well engineered car. The driveline components seen to be well turned out, and the car has had zero non-company induced maintenance issues......in 8,000 miles.
The interior components are a different story altogether!
Toyota seems to have made some interesting choices in interior components either for cost savings, or weight savings---or both.

We'll see.
you have to remember that the Prius is an ECOBOX. Do not confuse this with the more pejorative word ECONOBOX. (That word always sends $34,000 Prius owners into low earth orbit!)
The G3 was designed and built to maximize fuel economy and environmental concerns for a given cost.
Whether or not you're happy with the "quality" of a Prius is pretty much up for the individual to decide.
They're selling fairly well.....and there are many fanatical cheerleaders for this type.
That says something.

 

I've seen a quality decline from my Gen 2 Prius. Not quality in workmanship, quality in cost cutting. I think the Gen 3 is just a product of Toyota's maniacal cost cutting phase that has really back fired on them. Hopefully they've seen the error of their ways and get back to producing better products.

 

I certainly noticed my privacy screen is more flimsy than my kids' privacy screens in their Gen II models.

Max's 2004 Prius didn't come with a privacy screen (it was used). I found one on Ebay that was a perfect match for a song.

 

i have had the gen2 for 4 years and now own the gen3.
toyota may have been interested in cutting costs when developing the car around the 2010 HSD. which caremaker isn't. i.e. audi: they add some drl-leds to their headlights and keep selling their antiquated peaces of crap.

over all the gen3 has the best HSD ever since, and i'd never go back. the design of the car inside and outside is worlds better than that of the previous models.

partially i can understand the the whining of the gen2 owners about the gen3:
the gen2 facelift (2006) was a great car with some nice improvements. so lots of gen2 owners have to find some excuses not to (starve to) buy the gen3. they pick every little not so perfect detail of the new one, wherever they heard or read about it, and start to make a mountain out of a molehill. thats the only issue the gen3 has to deal with.
it's (after gen2 in 2003) once again a marvellous car with world leading features and an ingeniously drivetrain. no other carmaker in the world (!) has done a quater as good as toyota's engineers did.

 

Umm, I bought a Gen 3 and had a Gen 2, and lots of others upgraded too. So you're "jealous" card doesn't play here. Let me fire back another tired phrase, do you work for Toyota? Since they seem infallible in your eyes.

 

I have an 08 that my hubbie now drives. Bought my new 2010 about a month ago. I really like the looks of my 10, but the 2008 does seem like a more solid car. Not one rattle, never a problem and the mats actually match the interior. The JBL in the 2010 is actually worse than the 2008 if thats possible. The 2010 does have a big dash rattle in cold weather until the car warms up.

 

You went from a 2009 to a 2001, interesting. I also didn't know they had solar back them.

 

Wow,sure sounds like your a happy Toyota employee.