CarPlay for a 2010 Toyota Prius Gen 3

I have Prius Prime envy. As an Apple fanboy and Apple Music subscriber, I also have CarPlay envy. I also have 2010 Prius Bluetooth issues. My choices were to get a Prime for $33k or upgrade my 2010 to extend its life a few more years. I went with the upgrade option.

• I purchased a Pioneer SPH-DA120 AppRadio 4 from Jet for $394.81 shipped. (I think I was able to apply some kind of first purchase 10% or 15% off coupon.)
• I purchased a "PAC RP4.2-TY11 Wiring Interface" ( which maintains steering wheel controls, amplifier, and fade control ) and a "Scosche TA2105B Dash Kit" from Crutchfield for $146.98 shipped.
• I thought I would try to install it myself but then I looked at the instructions and chickened out. I had it installed (+ had to get a new compatible back up camera, which is critical for getting out of my tight southern California garage) for $441.25.

Total cost to get Apple CarPlay in my 2010 Prius: $983.04

So far, I am REALLY happy. The one quirky thing is that on a rare occasion I will turn off the car while playing music from the Apple Music service. Then I will get in the car the next time and the music will show that it is playing but there is no sound. That is fixable by asking Siri to play the music or unplugging the phone and plugging the phone back in.

 

Small update. I was able to sell the 2010 ORM Prius Radio for $300. (minus marketplace fee, minus shipping netted $235)

Total cost to get Apple CarPlay in my 2010 Prius: $703

 

Something about the voltage. I THINK the OEM backup camera runs on a 6 volt current, and not the 12 volt current supported by the pioneer appradio. Based on some web browsing, it seems like I could have gotten a voltage adapter instead of a new camera? The $440 price was mostly install labor + new backup camera. This post may speak to the voltage issue?

 

Thanks for the note. FWIW - I sold my old 2010 Prius OEM radio on Panjo for $300. That brought the price down closer to $700. And, if you don't need the steering wheel controls and get a voltage converter instead of a new backup cam, you can probably shave another $200 off to get the total price closer to $500. I fully understand $500 on the low end to $1,000 on the high end still being out of price range!

 

Hey! (I was back on this thread because I used the photo to look up my model for a firmware update.)

I am happy to report that Siri is amazing. My install utilizes the "speech" button on the steering wheel. I hold down the "speech" button on the steering wheel. Siri listens. I use commands like: "Play songs I'd like." "Directions home." "Play the song ____." "text [name] > then I dictate a text to that person." The Siri recognition is amazing. With the AC blasting. With Los Angeles traffic noise/ highway noise in the background. I think Siri does an amazing job. With today's iOS 12 update, Waze and Google Maps are coming to my 2010 Prius soon. (Those apps are coming to CarPlay soon.)

I should also note, if I enable Siri (by holding down the speech button on the steering wheel or by holding the home button on the screen) my nine-year-old son can also holler a song request from the backseat and Siri understands him with his 4th grade diction and distance from the mic.