I noticed in the photos of many of the Japanese Prius models having turn indicators in the mirrors, and fog lights. I'm just curious what other items were left out of the US version to keep costs down. Does anybody know. Just curious.
I have the RHD UK version which is virtually identical to the Japanese model. We get the front fogs as standard and the turn signals on the mirrors. We also get the HUD which displays your speed and one of two other things in front of you on the windscreen. The UK versions get a rear high intensity fog light in place of one of the reversing lights (cos it's always foggy here ). I think you can just about see this if you look on my photo album. Oh, and the RHD models have a credit card/gate pass card holder just to the left of the bonnet/hood release catch. Why we have that and you don't beats me. However, you get the radar cruise control. I'm sure there must be other things.
Are you talking about the fully loaded model or the base? Because the japanese base model is a lot more stripped than the US base model. For example, the Prius "L" in Japan has no radio or sliding console lid w/tray. It has narrower tires (185 vs. 195) and cheaper fabric. It has no cruise control, rear wiper, seatback pockets, rear armrest w/cupholder, tonneau cover and height adjustable driver's seat. Most models don't have underbody covers or a rear underbody spoiler (that black plastic thing at the bottom of the rear bumper). In terms of just features that we don't get here, there's the HUD (only available as an option on the top model), there's G-BOOK (internet/e-mail etc), HDD nav w/ music jukebox, terrestial-based TV, DVD-player etc etc. On the flipside, you guys are the only country in the world that gets LKA. http://priuschat.com/forums/knowled...andard-optional-equipment-some-countries.html
Here in Australia it only comes in two flavors. The standard which is cloth interior, with turn lights on the mirrors, fogs, HUD display, 17 inch alloys, cruise etc. The itech adds Nav, heated leather, solar roof, dipping rear mirror and radar cruise and removes the spare for the puncture kit. Here in Queensland, leather isn't something you actually want given the heat and humidity so the base model and adding the nav, which incorporates the reversing camera and parking, is the way to go. Both models do not have lane assist. But they are made in Japan and shipped here. Just as a side note no Toyota in Australia is subject to any recall for the accelerator issue.
The most significant difference when you get into a Japanese Prius is, of course, the steering wheel on the right. I am surprized that nobody else noticed this.
This is a leftover from the spot for the expressway card (ETC) units on Japanese versions. Because the wheel is also on the right for you, I imagine they are using the same dash board parts - including the space for the ETC unit - for the UK version. They have filled in the space with a plastic card slot, it seems. In Japan, you have the maker or dealer option of an ETC unit that allows you to drive through toll booths and have the toll automatically charged to your ETC card.
Here, in Europe, we have generally 3 flavors + u can add tech package (IPA, NAV+HDD, but not LKA) or SunRoof (15" wheels, no spare wheel). Each EU country have different naming convention and slightly different accessories. AFAIK - all levels have turn signals in side mirrors, HUD, stereo, amplified radio antena, electronic dash dim control, manually leveled headlights.
No spare wheel? You're kidding? I saw a Dutch guy post something similar a month or so ago, but didn't realise it was an all Euro spec thing. We get a spare wheel here though just to confuse things - and I've had to use it already
The Japanese version has a feature that lowers the passengar side view mirror when the car is put into reverse. I wish the US version has this feature. We have it on our Acura MDX and it really helps with not grinding the wheels when you get too close to the curb.
Wow, my first post and lots of information. Thanks for all the feedback (and humor). I wander if they will change the "standard features" for 2011. I have the III (cash4clunker car) as it was the only thing I could find on a lot. I like the Japanese/UK version with side mirror turn indicators, for safety, and with everything going on with "safety", maybe they'll make those standard in the US for 2011. Thanks again for all the feedback. Went 260 miles this weekend, and got 53 mpg .
There are plenty of accessories available so if you wish to add side mirror indicators, you can. It will be pricey but if you like the look, it's a Toyota Japan original accessory.
Just a slightly nerdy side-note, I couldn't help but notice that the head restraints in the rear seem to be different in the US from Europe; yours are smaller versions of the ones in the front and ours are long flat ones; I wonder why? My last car was an '06 Euro Civic with similar rear styling (2 piece glass taligate) and how reviewers howled about how difficult it was to see out the back...
Is the card holder contoured (curved) in any way that might make it only work on RHD cars instead of LHD cars? Could you take a picture of it? Something like that would actually work for me, since I need a place to keep my work parking card in that I use a few times a day, and keeping in the center cup holder doesn't work for me (and inside the center console is more of a hassle to get to).
Yes, there are two types of rear head restraints. We have a "full size" head restraint that's similar in design to the front head restraints. The rest of the world (AFAIK) gets an L-Shaped design just like the last generation Prius. I'm not sure why they switched design for North America (or even decided to create a whole new set just for us) other than I figured they think we're too lazy to lift the headrests up from their rest position to the proper height so they just went with one that's always erected so that our heads are properly protected. They are foldable either for viewing restriction purposes or when the rear seats are folded.
