Looking for feedback from Prime SE model owners.

I thought everybody gets remote connect for free for a year? That'll start your car and much more.

 

Toyota considers the phone app as the primary autostart method. The keyfob is a secondary method that Toyota considers more of a hack than a proper feature(dealers and the web still teach people how to use the keyfob, but Toyota doesn't advertise the method anymore; though you can find old Toyota documents with the instructions floating around).

All Priuses have the same limited range using the keyfob(10-50ft depending on conditions/obstructions). I've had success to almost 50ft across a parking lot with no other cars in the way. OTOH, the range dropped to well under 20ft when I was in the gym trying to start the car through the front window(the car was parked less than 5ft from the window). There's no feedback from the fob as to whether your attempt to start was successful or not, so you really need line of sight when you use it.


To use the phone app autostart, you need a Remote Connect subscription.

To use the keyfob autostart, you need any subscription.

All Priuses come with a 1-year trial subscription to Remote Connect
All Priuses come with 10-year subscriptions to Service Connect and Safety Connect.

Base subscriptions that include Remote Connect cost $15/month as of Jan 2024.

So use the Toyota app for the first year for guaranteed starts, test the fob in your home during this time, then make one of the following three choices:
1. Use the keyfob for the next nine years for free if you can live with its limitations.
2. Pay the $15/month to continue using the app.
3. Install an aftermarket autostart that is more expensive to start but cheaper in the long run. (make sure it's a quality unit that won't do anything weird like drain the 12V battery or cause gremlins)

Hope this helps your decision making.

 

2023 Prime SE Wind Chill Pearl owner here, hope my chiming in will help.

Regarding the remote start, @Hammersmith provided a spot on explanation above. I've successfully remote started my car using both options, via the Toyota phone app and via the key fob.

As for my impressions of the car:

I am very happy with it. It perfectly suites my needs in a car and the types of commuting I generally do. I chose the SE because I wanted the cloth seats, as I think they're easier to clean. I also wanted manual seats, as I've had the seat motors go out in other cars in the past. Other features that I didn't think I personally needed were the wireless phone charger, heated/ventilated seats and power lift back. I also don't mind the 17" wheels as I plan on going aftermarket wheels regardless of what trim level I got, so I figured I'll save some money going with the SE.

Having said all that, I do wish that I have splurged a little more (and would have to wait much longer) for the XSE. The main reason being the lighting package. The XSE and XSE Premium's headlights have that top hook accent light on at all times, which I think looks cool. They also have 2 pairs of accent lights in the front, one horizontal one right under the headlight, and another way down towards the bottom edges of the bumper. The hook light in the XSE also serves as turn signal indicators and hazard lights, which are way more visible to other drivers, especially if they are driving beside you, whereas the front turn signal indicators in the SE are nearly impossible to see from the side (SE uses the horizontal light right under the headlight as it's turn signal indicator). The SE doe not have the full width LED tail lights, which I was not aware of and quite bummed out that that wasn't the case. I'm hoping that there's a mod out there that can convert the rear SE lights into the XSE ones, as it's way more visible to other drives, especially at night. Also, the SE does not have the red ambient dash light, which I also wasn't aware of until after I bought the car. I would have liked to have the 12" screen along with the glass roof as well, but the 8" screen works just fine.

I do realize those extras are simply wants, not needs for me. All in all, I am very happy with my purchase, best of luck.

 

Ambient dash can be added back for about $20 if you don't mind it not being exactly original. I even tracked down the Toyota connectors so it's plug and play.

I have a Canadian SE so I think I have some slightly different options but the rear full brake light is the option I kinda regret on mine and it's XSE and up only in Canada as well. I did want the 17" wheels, clothe seats, heated front seats and not glass roof so SE it was. That and the ridiculous wait times. I think in Canada it comes with heated front seats whereas in the US it does not. Both come with heated steering wheel. I'm pretty happy with the smaller display.

If I was to buy one in the US and could wing it, I would probably take the XSE and buy a different set of wheels. I haven't checked the price difference though. In Canada it was 5k and not worth the difference. I might have to replace mine soon so I might be in that situation sooner than I'd like.

Remote start and FOB start should be the same for it. The FOB does suck. I've been debating trying to add an antenna to see if it would help but I have not received my 2nd one yet.

 

This thread is of interest to me, since I just reserved a 2024 Prius prime SE in supersonic red; it’s due to arrive next month.

I originally didn’t set out to get a SE. I originally wanted a non-prime in the LE trim. But long waiting times (I’ve been looking for 7 months without luck) and a desire for the red exterior color eventually pushed me toward the XLE. From that point, the price difference to a SE wasn’t that big and I preferred the features of the prime SE compared to the non-prime XLE.

 

Holding the fob against your head will give you more range lol. Don't laugh, it's true

"The water content in your head acts as an amplifier to the radio frequency of your car key"

 

I’m looking to add the ambient dash light to my SE, can you provide info/links to the parts? Was it relatively easy to remove parts of the dash to install? Thanks.

 

I got the SE because that was what was available, and I'm happy with it. I like the better mileage/ev range, and from what I understand, the comfort level due to smaller wheels and higher sidewalls. Smaller center screen is not an issue, nor are the different front/rear/dash light configurations. I suppose if I had tested a higher trim model, then I might care, but ignorance is bliss! The only thing I wish were different is the color. Mine is Guardian Gray, and although the color is nice enough, it really shows the dirt, especially during winter road conditions.

 

Didn't want to post in this thread so I made a new one for everyone using the original thread on Reddit and what I did with plenty pics.
Adding ambient light to lower trims | PriusChat

 

A little late to the party but here’s my 2 cents:
I love my silver Prime SE; though it was a toss up b/t the red which really pops as a color. I’m not much of a cool features car guy so base trim is perfect. Standard features I’m impressed about: cloth seats with accent very sharp looking, heated steering wheel is the best, two 120V AC outlets (what a surprise!) may be an e-generator solution, TSS and cruise control way beyond expectations. I’m happy with the look of the stock wheels and added protection of the taller sidewalls of the 17s — if I later want a fancier look that’s not much of an investment. I did install the Lexis horn which was well worth the $66. May consider some of the lighting upgrades previously mentioned. The best is the price/value of the SE, can’t be beat IMHO.

 

Careful with the McGee dealerships in NH. Had a terrible time with them refusing to give me the paperwork to register my Prius after I purchased it ... Temporary plates expired and I was without a car for weeks.

I have a LE with the 17s. I considered a higher trim and selling the rim set, but I didn't.

 

Toyota should be reading this.

 

Even for just locking and unlocking, the keyfob range is really bad when the Prime is charging. I find that I have to be within 10 feet.

 

They didn't care when I called corporate, said it was a dealer issue and the dealer would call me. Never heard back from dealer or corporate-

 

What I'm on about: If customers are avoiding the higher Prius levels due to the preposteriously large wheels, you'd think toyota would want to know. But I guess they're in the "too big to fail" category.