Why don't you like the large format screen in the Prime?

I like it. If it had knobs for volume and temp control I’d like it better.

 

This is our second Prime with the large screen, and we love it!

 

I like it, particularly the large size of the GPS map or backup camera. Personally, it think it the Sour Grapes syndrome. Those who bought the cheapest Prime and didn't get it are going to say that they don't like it to justify their purchase.

 

It's okay, but I'd rather have more physical controls than touch screen controls -- it's just doesn't seem as safe. The nav is real easy to see though, and with the HUD directions in the advanced, I really do like that. The other software, it definitely could have been better.

 

I don't like screens (full stop). So a gargantuan, portrait-oriented tablet shoehorned into the dash: I REALLY don't like.

I'd like ergonomic, tactile, eyes-on-the-road controls, for heat/vent and radio controls. Sadly, I think that ship has sailed.

 

I like the large screen.

There are up/down buttons on the steering wheel to control volume in addition to an up/down touch switch to the right of the screen which is easily reached by either the driver or the passenger.



What I do not like is how the front windshield defogger is implemented. Even if all you want is some cool air to blow over the windshield, when you push the defrost button, the gasoline engine starts -- which I think is because the designers wanted to give you a blast of warm air as quickly as possible. If you just want cool air (and no gas engine), then you can cause this to happen using the climate control touch screen to select air directed to the windshield and to turn up the fan speed. It works but is annoyingly complicated.

 

i want to say it's a combination of many things: everyone hates the glare, you see a lot of dust and finger prints even though you just cleaned the screen, it is lacking a lot of features, and lastly the back up camera only uses a small portion of the screen.

 

I do like it very much. I agree the glare is a problem, and wish it could be tilted. I also agree you have to dust it occasionally. I am OK with the back up camera image size. I also would like more physical buttons and controls.

 

At first, I thought it looked ugly, but it grows on you after a while. Now, I like it.

You can use it to display and control both Entune, climate controls, or other functions, while at the same time view a normal size map. Alternatively, you can use it to view a full screen map in portrait (as opposed to landscape orientation).

Though it looks awkward as part of the dash, the portrait orientation of the display actually allows you see further ahead on the map, which comes in very handy when navigating - esp on long road trips.

The only problem is using the touch screen while driving, which can actually be a safety hazard if you are not careful. It tends to encourage the driver to take his or her eyes off the road. Over time though, as you become more proficient with the touch screen, you spend less time searching for radio buttons, and you eventually get to the point where you can operate the touch screen with only a glance. You still need to be very careful though, esp when encountering an unfamiliar screen menu, or when using the map in an unfamiliar location. Any situation that forces you to "hunt" for things on the display while driving can be dangerous. When this happens, it is best to pull over and become familiar with the new touch screen menu or map, rather than attempting to use the screen while driving.

 

n.b. I was never in the market for a Prime, but that big screen would have been a total deal-killer in any car.

In a nutshell it is too difficult to replace the native 11.6" rig with an aftermarket system, and I will not buy a new car unless it allows for modular replacement of the infotainment system.

 

I had 2017 PRIME Premium with 11.6" screen. I hated the large screen so much so that I had it turned off most of the time. That large screen and Softex seats are the two things I disliked most on my previous PRIME so that I ended up trading it in for 2020 PRIME LE with a smaller screen with physical buttons and cloth seat. I can't be happier.

Yes, it is the screen itself, that caused unneeded distraction and difficult essential operation by touch screen buttons. Yes, it is the contents I disliked, such as not very smart nav system and totally useless infotainment apps. Yes, it is the reflected glare of the screen that almost blind me when it happened. Yes, it is the bad implementation of screen display I disliked. For example, the display was way too large taking whole screen (like energy info) without any way to adjust the size of pane and put other information on it or it is too small such as sub screen of the energy info that is hard to navigate and find. And yes, it is something else... I simply found that large screen looks displaced and ugly on the dash of a car.

All that being said, in the end, it is mostly a personal preference just like many other options on a car. Some people love it but not I. If Toyota offered custom options of PRIME Premium (now XLE) with smaller screen and cloth seat, that would have been my best choice. I do miss 3 door SKS on my current LE.

 

Three main issues for me:
1. Glare. There is no cure. I did reduce it with window screen shades on the rear side windows. Anti glare screen protectors did not reduce glare; only legibility.
2. Excessive need to take eyes off road to find and use the controls. This is reduced once you learn more about it and even more reduced when you find that most of those functions can be done with the steering wheel buttons.
3. Takes almost as long to boot up as Windows 95.

Minor issues:
1. Just a poor implementation. Resolution is low.
2. It's not user customizable.
3. Backup camera aspect ratio is fine. No reason for it to fill the screen as there's nothing above or below the field of view that's needed. So why does it blank out the bottom of the screen? Perhaps to make sure you're not distracted from the camera image?

Advantages:
1. Tons of information.
2. Big map. (Outdated and stupid-expensive to update, but it's big! And not very sharp. And traffic info is wrong at least half the time.) But it's big.

 

1. Low resolution.
2. Almost useless touch screen functionality.

 

I wonder if smart phone connectivity will just blow these screens out of the water?

 

No volume knob. Although there are exceptions, most current touchscreens are slow and buggy and incredibly expensive to replace with new. Our Honda Clarity is like the Prime advance with a touchscreen being the only option and I don't like it. And like the Prime, replacing the screen with an inexpensive aftermarket solution isn't in the cards.

Our C-Max got it right: touchscreen, knobs or steering wheel controls, operators choice.

 

I like it now but if it ever needs replacing after the warranty/service agreement runs out I will like it less.
The price tag on the display alone is enormous ($6,000) plus the labor.

 

The smaller displays are also prohibitively expensive. Not as insane, but way out of my price range for a new one.

 

Oh they're not that bad. "Street prices" under $5K...

Navigation System for 2017 Toyota Prius Prime | Toyota Parts

That could be the new "cat"...

 

If I have to replace the 7" head unit of my PRIME LE, I will just swap it with aftermarket unit that will be far more advanced and user friendly than the OEM HU and much much cheaper including installation cost. Right now, AFAIK there is no aftermarket option for 11.6" HU.