Summary of proposed improvements for future versions of Prius

Seems to me that if the technology allows braking to slow this vehicle if a rear end collision is iminent it ought to be able to prevent any rear end collision. This would save a fortune in insurance premiums, accident reports, etc.

 

Remove the banter with the voice when you try to make a phonecall.

Better search options and voice control for USB port. Allow search by track, artist, genre and playlist.

Get a better Nav system OEM

 

Re: What's missing from the Prius?

I'll agree with this. VW's are famous for electrical problems as are Audis. I'll take a Toyota or Honda at 150K miles over any German or American vehicle. I have a friend that loved Passats that now owns a RAV4 because of all the problems she had with it. I traded my Ford Escape for a Prius because of 2 transmission leaks within the first 22K miles. My Prius V Techno shares the garage with a Sienna XLE that has never had a problem. So there you go.

 

A couple of things bug me on my V
1. The auto dimming mirror - doesn't. Unfortunately the rear window split blocks the headlights from hitting the sensor directly so the mirror doesn't dim enough. A better placement of the sensor or a more sensitive sensor could help.
2. The seats are not nearly as comfortable as my '04.
3. The DRCC display should not automatically pop over the selected mileage display. Let me decide what will be displayed.
4. The switch for heated seats should be oriented left/right rather than top/bottom.
5. It is impossible to tell if an accessory plug with a in-use LED in the aux power outlet under the console is working. You can't see it from the drivers seat.

 

- Power seats.
- Remote controlled rear hatch opener.
- Auto lights. For $30k+, I don't want to turn on my own lights.
- No back-up beep.

 

Yes, it's displayed thanks to the HUD. In Europe we have the HUD on all models, but the DRCC/PCS is usually only on the top model anyway...

 

Something I would like is a hyper miling cruise control. It seems when I hit the resume button on the cruise my Prius wants to 'floor it' to get back to it's previous speed. That seems very much un-Prius like.

A voice command cruise control would be great. "hyper mile to 65 please"

 

Better crash test scores. Using the older NHTSA test methodology and scoring only "4" stars for front impacts (driver and passenger) isn't going to cut it for a car that can top out close to $30K. It will surely score even worse using the newer 2011 methodology (just like the Camry, which had "5" stars throughout using the old methodology). It is the single reason why I haven't purchased a Prius yet, and I'm crossing my fingers that the upcoming Prius V will do better.

 

Is the switch turned on? Hit the '1' switch. Works fine in my 09.

OMG!!!! No, let's not go backwards!!! Do a google search on 'Prius Driver's Seat' .... I think you'll still find an insane number of complaint's on the 2004-09 driver's seat. What the heck, I'll post some links below -

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-modifications/9247-prius-drivers-seat-rail-extenders.html

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-prius-main-forum/60358-prius-drivers-seat-misery.html

Here's a page dedicated to the 04-09 seat problems and 2010's improvements
Problems With a Prius Driver's Seat | eHow.com

Yahoo! Groups

Toyota Prius Driving Comfort - CarSpace Automotive Forums

Extend The Drivers Seat In Toyota Prius - Toyota Owners Club - Toyota Forum

Prius' Driver Seat - GreenHybrid - Hybrid Cars

drivers seat | Hybrid Cars

My3cents.com - Toyota Motor Corporation Complaint - Prius 2004-2008; Major Safety Problems, Prius

*none of threads above are mine.

Doubt you'll find another car in history that has as many complaints about the driver's seat(ing) as the 2004 - 2009 Toyota Prius.
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Note to Toyota - Please, do not revert back to the driver's seat, front seat as designed in the 2004 - 2009 North American Prius.

Thank you for improving seating to this point in the 3rd Gen. car. Please work on a little more tilt and telescopic range, raise the driver's door armrest to match the center console and add some lumbar adjustment in base trims. Thank you.

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We already have a intelligent automobile. Lets make it better. In the NE or any cold climate, it's normal to warm the car before getting a family in it. I realized tonight that I could start the car then walk away from it. However I could not lock the doors, inviting a thief to take my car. I tried leaving the key fob in the house, then trying to move the car. To my surprise, I was able to drive it away from the parking spot. I did get a message that the key was not onboard. But the car still drove away.
I would like to see where if the key is not in the car. When the operator put his foot on the brake to move the car into gear, that the car would shut down. Thus preventing a thief from taking my car while it was outside warming up. Don't make it a big deal that needs to be reset by a dealer...just shut down the car as normally done. Then restart when it senses the key.

 

If you look to the front of the door handle, you'll see little lines. Just touch it- no button required. You do not need to pull out the remote to lock it.
Also to the Right of the rubber pad under the rear hatch there is a little button to lock from the back.
It's all in the manual.

 

How about a winter package for northern States and Canada
Block heater or better a inline heater in the rad lines that will heat by the fluid so it can also warm the interior
Windshield fluid heater
Cloth heated seats

 

Hi Airbalancer,

Good concept, but heated seats are such a waste, when a sheep skin cover is much more comfortable, and plenty warm.

What we really need is a heated steering wheel!

and the defroster controls put back on the steering wheel!!!!!

 

Heated steering wheel might burn your hands. The heater is just fine.

 

Finding sheep skin seat covers not an easier thing to do north of the 49
Also I find the hat on an old back after a day working outside is really nice
And I find I can usually take off my winter coat on a long drive if the seat is heated
Aftermarket heated seats are usually $500 installed