Need help deciding... Prius 4 or 4 Touring?

You and I both! Although I have a G3, it's a model 4 with the sunroof/solar panel pkg. The HUD is on all the time set to display the speed and HSI. It really aids in hypermiling without taking ones eyes off the road. For what its worth, I use my sunroof quite a bit during the warmer months.


Merged

It was a great opportunity to use it today in Massland. Fortunately the G3 solar panel runs the blower fan on those Summer hot days. Does a great job keeping the interior cool.

 

4th gen's front passenger seat is set noticeably lower than the 3rd gen's. IOW, more headroom for front passenger and btw, driver too.

 

I am not sure about this-- while you might be correct according to specs (I have not looked at them) my perception is the opposite.

I am 6-3 with short legs. On the 2016 with a power driver's seat, I have an inch or so of clearance above my head (no moon roof) and can angle the seat normally. On the passengers side, I need to angle my seat noticeably back so as to not brush my head.

On our 2010 without power seats (and without moonroof) I angle the seat normally on ether side and have plenty of head room.

This is my perception, anyway.

 

Your post caught my attention, so I just got back from Fremont Toyota after measuring front and rear headroom and legroom in both 2016 gen4 Prius Two and 2015 gen3 Prius Two, no sunroof, using an angle meter for seatback angles..

In short, the gen4 Prius has more front headroom and legroom on both sides than gen3, but gen4 has a bit less rear legroom and headroom than the gen3. I used a magnetic angle meter to measure front seatback angles and just stacked fingers verticallly to measure pass through space between head and roofliner.

Lowering driver's seat full down and back (power or manual adjust doesn't matter), I set the seatback angle to 70 degrees measured just below the seam in center of seatback. Results:
gen4 - 6 finger pass through space (4 from right hand, 2 on left, stacked)
gen3 - 4 finger space

Sliding front passenger seat fully back, set seatback angle to 65 degrees. Results:
gen4 - 4 finger pass through space
gen3 - about 2 1/2 finger space, definitely not 3, definitely less than gen4

With front seats kept in above position, sitting behind them, left and right, results

gen4: knees definitely touching driver and passenger seatback, head just touching roofliner

gen3: about 2 finger space between knees and back of front seats, about 1" or so rear headroom.

So, again, gen4 has more front headroom and legroom, both sides than gen3, but less rear headroom and legroom.

And gen4 defintely has less glovebox space and no underfloor tray, holy mackerel I am still a bit intrigued by the gen4 Prius, but unfortunately it's overall a little small for my taste. Super long legs so need full size seat / car.

 

So the model with the sunroof does not have sunglass holder?! This is a surprise for me. I am battling between 3 and 3T (not looking into 4 because of the spare tire). And there were different considerations starting with 15" vs 17" wheels and ending with the fabric vs softex leather. My latest thought was to go with 3, but not having sunglass holder... It is a small thing, but it is amazing how attached we become to those small things. I also do use it EVERY SINGLE DAY. Without it where do I keep my sun glasses?! In California?

And I cannot care less about the sunroof. This in my mind tips the balance toward 3T again. Believe it or not sunglass holder trumps HUD in my view.

 

I have a 4 with sunroof, no sunglass holder...

 

Since I never had a sunglass holder I don't miss it. Can't you just add a sunglass clip to the visor? I have to have a sunroof -- not because I use it that much but I like the feeling of not being closed in. I just picked up my 2016 4 with AT today and it looks and feels great (I've had a 2006 and 2010 IV). I think I will use the HUD for the navigation, but I don't see the point of having the speedometer up there when there's a huge speedometer display on the main display anyway.

 

Congratulations on your 4 with AT! Sunglass holder is very convenient thing to have. Honestly, after having it for 9 years, I was convinced it was standard on all models/cars. No, life will never be the same without I will stick with 3T.

 

Yes, I'm disappointed that the sunroof is no longer the solar roof that came with the Gen III solar package. I loved the way that looked and the ventilation it provided on hot days.

 

Same deal with my G3 model 4 with sunroof. One of my biggest complaints. Had a 2009 Camry with sunroof that had the overhead sunglasses compartment. Truly miss it.

 

Amen!

 

I never use the sunglasses holder. I wear my sunglasses outside the car, too.