Summary of proposed improvements for future versions of Prius

never tell them you will not be buying another toyota, that's the only leverage you have. please copy your email to priusteam here at priuschat, i believe they can help you breakdown barriers.

 

Here is another, albeit fairly minor change based on my recent move from Gen 2 to Gen 3: Ok obviously there are differences but one in particular I have discovered, is that when your door Windows are soaked, lowering the Window no longer clears the glass. This was quite handy with the Gen 2 model; just have to allow more time to wipe all windows these days.


CJL

 

Most important item of all is a warning before backing over children. The first post omitted serious safety issues. Cars and Vans have had this optional feature with auto brake apply for around two decades and it is missing on the Prius. How much is a child's life worth. You will find out in a law suit very quickly.

Fix the elephants first and then the piss ant issues.

 

This is a sticky topic -- why? Last post three years ago!
Maybe the time has come to retire this thread from the "stickies" that take up room on the main page.

 

Wait! One more!

Prius Camping Edition - Along with the standard power (glass) windows include two other modes; a power screen and a power blackout panel.

Okay, now you can close the topic...

 

One more! Bike rack edition. Not that jerry rig that's sold.

Noticed they actually have applied the autobraking on some up coming models. Some models of the Prius have had it for 3 years..

 

The best thing about Prius, (IMHO), is of course the fuel economy and the ride. No one buys it to go off-road. The brand new Prius should revert to the Gen 3 looks. It is already a hybrid vehicle icon. Look around, whenever you want to indicate which car you drive, in any website, the company would have the Prius as an icon for hybrid cars. Secondly, it should have the least amount of electric gizmos that require high maintenance ESPECIALLY the TPMS. Just stick to the conventional safety features that earned it the best IIHS rating. Then, make the front-passenger seat just like the driver's seat as STANDARD. Apple Car Play. Back up camera should be optional but offer dash cam instead.

 

I think we should have AC vents for rear passengers.

 

My additions:
Allow the individual battery cells in the hybrid battery pack degrade further before the Check Hyrbid System pops up. The car shows the warning light too soon. Not sure how the Gen 4’s work but there’s still plenty of good cells left when the Check hybrid pops on.

Thoughts?

Gen 3 water pumps commonly fail at around 150,000 or less. Often times there is no warning light on the dash and no code thrown. It’s strange. Some Gen 3’s throw a code and some don’t. If no code is thrown you have no idea of the pump is out and end up overheating the engine.

Thoughts? Anyway to know if the pump is bad?

I’d like for the “Check Hybrid System” to actually mean the hybrid system has an issue. It pops on for a variety of reasons. Even when the fuel pump goes out.

I think it would be a cool feature if the Prius could jump itself when the 12v drains. I’m sure there’s a reason. Most likely cost.

Cheers.

 

It would be great to see a switch option that allows the Prius regen battery pack used to transfer power to the 12V battery during dead 12V situations. I have killed my 12V battery and had to jump start the car at least once or twice from leaving a cabin light on usually my kids forget to turn it off in the back. The regen battery is usually either full or has enough power left to jump start the car but the option doesn't exist.

 

That is exactly what KIA has in the Niro. There is a button on the dash which gives a small charge to the 12V battery, just enough to get the system in the on state.

 

Make it so the steering wheel buttons control all and not just some media (eg, toggle through AM and both FM presets instead of just one as in my gen3)

When toggling between AM and FM preset groupings, go to the last station that was playing in that grouping (even if it was not a preset) instead of always going to the preset at the top of the list.

On touchscreen, increase size of radio preset buttons, using the whole screen, rather than the current (gen3) list of tiny buttons on the left that require taking eyes off the road to select.

Create a selection button (not touch screen) for all the main audio categories so we can quickly jump to the one needed instead of toggling through all the options each time. And group those buttons

Create a "home" button to get back to the main touchscreen display from anywhere. In my gen3, it's always confusing to find the home screen after using the phone screen. The Audio button is like a home button except when it's not (pushing it does different things depending on where you are in touchscreen - yet another feature that makes these cars less safe!!)

Add texture to frame around the touchscreen that align with onscreen choices so drivers can better keep eyes on the road instead of looking at screen. And leave room to rest/prop/stabilize our hand while selecting (we should not have to come at the screen with index-finger-only as it requires taking eyes off road even longer (ie, less safe))

On media console, never display the choices on screen as staggered "deck of cards", but instead display all in grid and in the same location on grid so we can immediately choose and not go through a separate step. For lower tier models with fewer touchscreen categories, use the same layout as higher tier but leave those buttons blank (unusable dummies).

Make as many console controls easily found and controlled without looking (less touch screen, more "old school" and much safer).

Allow selection of front defogger fan both with and without AC for when we simply want the air blowing from those vents

Install a much louder option for the lock beep (when using clicker). Don't have a beep at all when unlocking -- it's not needed (we know we're unlocking the car and security is not an issue (as opposed to locking))

Install a fully variable intermittent wiper control (instead of only 3 options)

Create option for user to organize and prioritize connected devices (instead of alphabetical only in my gen3) AND then have system go to the priority connected devices in that list. Currently, it seems to connect to the first on the list (sooner in the alphabet) when more than 1 device is in the car.

Increase the range in movement of all controllable HVAC vents. In my gen3, they are very limited. Instead take a lesson from some Jeeps and Scions and use circular vents with very wide 360 adjustment.

Either make the head rest adjustable or, if stationary, have it go more straight up instead of forward. There's no way in my gen3 to have my seat back vertical without the headrest pushing my neck forward and my head slightly down. I compensate by tilting the seat back but I don't like to sit that way. FYI, I'm average body size (5'10", 180 lbs, medium frame).

Don't put the shifter in the middle of the control buttons!!! This forces us to take our eyes off the road to find a button without bumping the shifter.

Make all cup holders larger diameter. Those in the door of my gen3 fit no reusable bottle I'm aware of.

Create an owner's manual for each model (1-4) instead of putting ALL info for ALL models in one book that we need to sort through. Such a waste of time. Treat your customers as if you like them!

When designing the touchscreen, steering wheel buttons, and other controls, test them on a very large group of people who are unfamiliar with them. I get the impression that your designers either never drive these cars or they expect the general public to know what they know.

 

Since EGR is a maintenance item, they should make it easier.

 

Just got my Car inspected they want $395 to inspect the dang thing. Hoping to get her working again. I just communicated with totoya customer experience hoping to hear something positive.

 

what's wrong with her?

 

I wish normal air conditioner buttons. Current design is horrendous, having 10+ buttons and messing each other.

 

I would have the suspension bushings redesigned or whatever necessary to quiet road noise. Installing sound deadening did nothing for the issue, and I got new Michelin tires which quieted it very little. On smooth surfaces all is ok, but any older/rougher pavement, using the stereo is useless.

 

it's a dang noisy car, there are probably a lot of elements involved in quieting it down. i think they are concerned about weight

 

Perhaps cleaning the Radiator/flap in the exhaust heat recovery system. I really believe that it gets clogged with carbon just like the EGR cooler does.
So, then it gets cold it restricts exhaust flow which reduces mileage. There should be a way to take it off and flush it out.