I'm driving the 2016 Prius next week. What do you want to know?

Toyota UK just announced Prius specs and pricing, and for Europe, every Prius gets power seats, LED headlights and much more, as well as $2.5k increase in price. I dont think this will happen in the US though, but European strategy is interesting certainly.

New Toyota Prius price and specifications announced

 

power seats are sweet, but that is a hefty price increase.

 

Thanks for the welcome, and for pointing me to the Vegas show threads. That said, nothing beats the hands-on testing from someone like Danny who truly knows the different Prius generations and can make a well-informed (and informing!) review. I'm looking forward to his report.

 

base model yes, but base has smart entry, LED headlights, power seats, 15" alloys, TSS+ (precrash/radarcruise)...

If we look at top end model, new one is same price as old one but with leather (old UK didnt have leather), as well as a lot of other equipment... so basically more car for same price.

 

Wouldn't it be amazing if Toyota offered a software upgrade for current PHV Advanced models to enhance the DRCC to make it Full-Speed?

I know - I'm dreaming.

 

DS, I just had a crazy idea regarding the power adjustable seat. First, my 2012 G3HB/T5 has the power seat and I can testify to the fact that there are countless combinations of seat positions that are simply not available on the manual seat (many, many). How about this idea, but bear in mind that I have not researched any part of it, and I have no clue whether it could work.

Try to find a power seat in your color at a salvage yard or a used parts dealer - one out of a vehicle that is otherwise wrecked. I would bet that it would bolt right in with the same four bolts that mounts the manual seat. I have had my power seat out of my car for some other, unrelated mods. I can tell you that all of the switches, motors, drive linkages, and etc. are a part of the overall seat assembly - fully self-contained, therein. Is there a possibility that the power seat assembly simply requires 12 volts and a ground? I think there is a 50 - 50 chance that this seat swap is possible and doable.

Check it out, let us know what you think. Hey everyone, any thoughts on this?

 

Ah, yes - upper trim levels only - bummer. Never the less, the powered seat is well worth having. It's not just that it is powered by motors & switches but that every seat adjustment parameter is individually adjustable. Hopefully someone will try this and report back.

 

If you were to find a powered seat at salvage but with different fabric, maybe you could buy both front seats - left and right. At least that way, the two would match. Getting that far, why not consider buying the rear bench & back, as well.

 

I can't speak for anyone else...but while the Softex, adjustable, heated, power seat with lumbar in my 2015 model Four is an improvement over the manual seat in my 2010 model II...it is still uncomfortable. I would not waste the money looking for take-offs if comfort is the reason. The seats suck like the stereo systems. YMMV.

 

In Europe, due to taxes and customs, TSS C is $800 in Auris with all the options (TSS C in Aygo has less options and is $300)... TSS P gets bundled in base Prius and LC200 so we dont know of the price if it was separate option, but i reckon it would be considerable part of the increase... in any case, it is certainly not really base anymore... I would say thats more equipment than you get in your average premium sedan in Europe let alone base (3, C class, A4) .

I would also consider top version cheaper than before as it now has real leather vs cloth and more equipment like blindspot monitor, power seats, etc, that are not currently available.

Now this is just UK pricing, not sure what will rest of the Europe look like since UK gets pretty unique models.[/QUOTE]

 

p.s. LDA also has assist, it is same system as in Lexus. It will steer you back into lane, we dont know how much though since it just came out.... but it is not just alert.

 

Lane departure alert in Europe also includes steering assist,but what about a sliding sunroof ?
Looks like we are not getting the option !?

 

Find out if the interior dome light/s will time out like the headlights if left on.

 

Any significant improvements or changes that are not obvious and were not mentioned by the marketing guys? (There might be stuff of real interest that was thought to be too techie for the typical buyer)