Does the New Prius (LE) require an Old School Key?

This is a guess and only a guess, but I wonder if the LE has everything except the trunk keyless sensor like previous base-grade versions.

 

I have not gone through the specs on the 23 models, but I cannot imagine Toyota would eliminate this option altogether. What is more likely is that there is a 1-door SKS (Smart Key System) on the base trim and a 3-door SKS option on the higher trims as in Gen 3 and 4.

 

If you go back and look at the videos of the interior you'll see that its still push button start. So still a wireless keyfob, just no smart key function on any doors on the LE.

 

this is a mistake, and a glaring omission in the specs on toyotas part. hopefully they will correct it soon

 

If this helps, the newest Sienna LE has an old school remote, no SKS, yet push-button start.

 

my base model 2008 only had the drivers door sks. after having the 3 door on my 2004, it was a real eye opener.
i thought i wouldn't care, but having to fish out the fob every time i wanted to open the hatch was a real pita

 

it the LE has no door SKS at all, that would be a deal breaker for me. then i would have to look at the next level up, and weight the cost/benefit. might make me give it a pass.

 

Yeah I guess it’s been thus since gen 2. So with 5th gen in the States, if you want a spare, no touch-to-lock/unlock. And in Canada, if you want a spare, you’re SOL.

It’s the old wack-a-mole game, with the-boxes-I-want-ticked list.

 

The elimination of the physical mechanical key on the steering column is a both an economic and a logistical move. The labor and design cost of mechanical assembly and the inventory of OEM and replacement parts has been eliminated.

The mechanical key will eventually disappear from cars as has the mechanical shifter linkage and the mechanical parking brake.

Mechanical keys and linkages require additional labor to assemble and are difficult to implement with digital electronic switching.

 

I know that with the Rav4 Hybrid, the LX actually uses an old school key (slightly better than old school, since it is a switchblade that hides back into the FOB, thus not cutting up your pants pocket).

I rented a LX Camery (non hybrid) about a month ago that had an old school key too.

It seems like generally, on other Toyota models, LE has a key and XLE and above do not. I cannot say if this remains the case in the Prius, but based on the description of the trims, XLE indicates push button start and LE does not, just like the Rav4 Hybrid and the Camery descriptions. I have not been able to see any LX review videos so I can't say for sure, but I am suspicious that the LX model includes a physical key. The trim comparison description that does not indicate "push button start" is the biggest clue.

I am also shopping for a Kia Sportage Hybrid. They have a similar story, with the LX using a physical key, and the EX and above using push button start.

 

The Camry LE still has a key, though it and the remote fob are one piece.

Yes, the smart key is the system that lets you open and start the car without taking the key out of your pocket.

We don't know what the Prius LE has. It could be an old school key and remote for the locks, or a smart key that only works with the driver's door. We just know the higher trims have the smart key for the hatch and other doors.

Do you own Hondas?

 

The 3 doors are the driver, front passenger, and hatch.

Unlocking the driver on a 1 door system should unlock all the doors. Or not. That is likely one of those settings you can change, like whether the doors lock when the car moves. Those details will be in the owner's manual.

 

The opening of the driver's door on most all cars are programmed at the factory to open just that door for the sake of safety for the driver. The driver has then to use the switch on the door to open the other doors. The ECU has to be reprogrammed to open all four doors and the hatch with Techstream. That's how my 2012 Prius v came. I had to re-program it with Techstream to open all four doors.

 

There is info in the Owner's Manual, that may be applicable. See attached excerpt, from North American 2010 Prius (hatchback) Owner's Manual:.

 

The manual will have a list of what is customizable, and whether it can be done by through the car or requires a dealer/techstream.

I was able to change if all the doors unlocked with the driver's just through car settings in the Sonic.

 

I just looked that up a bit ago and now I'm feeling really stupid. I've been complaining about having to pull out my key fob to open the passenger door or hatch for over a decade.

 

Yes and once you’re used to SK regular key feels archaic.