Summary of proposed improvements for future versions of Prius

The voice recognition is a joke. I wanted to call my mother, "Toni Stadd" I first programmed "mom", then "mother", "Toni", "Mom Stadd", even Mother Stadd" into my cell phone, but the voice recognition didn't understand any of those names.

I don't understand why it works on a name like "Raloo", but not "Tom". Same problem with street names, I can ask for a location like Fifth and Ventura Bl and it will reply something like, "Western and Broadway". Also, when I am asked to choose between two people and I do, it then asks me to say dial, whereas it could save a step and just do it. Also takes too long after I press the button to let me speak, The whole system feels slow and unresponsive, plus since the touch screen is disabled when the car is moving, it MAKES me use it. If I press the steering wheel button to make a call and reach over to turn down the radio, it cancels the call.

It takes too long to start the motor and go into reverse when I'm in hurry. Other cars with keys can be started and thrown into reverse much faster.

The display reads "oil service" every 5000 miles, even though Toyota says to change the oil every 10000 miles so that means fifty percent of the time that I am driving, I have to see this erroneous display,

I vote for a hot 12v connection. If you are worried about battery drain, offer it only on models with the solar roof panel. The drain from a cell phone charger is negligible.

Like others, I think the little tray in the center console does nothing, but I like the idea of something for small items. Maybe give it a clear plastic cover that snaps off later, but has slots to use, so that when you flip it up, things stay put.

Maybe it's just me, but I expected that my ipod, when connected to the car audio system, would be controllable by the steering wheel controls. But I can't skip to the next song, just adjust volume, Hard to believe I paid thousands for these extra "features"

 

I think one of the most important day-to-day problems w/ the Prius is the design of the various controls: *ALL* of the buttons for the radio and heat control, for example, are nearly identical flat, flush buttons, only identifiable by their labels, or (eventually) by their remembered location.
They could be made more recognizable by shape, texture, etc, so that a quick search by touch only would find them. Simply raising the end buttons 1/16" above the others ( a slightly rounded 'pillow' shape) would give you tactile feedback for those two buttons, and the two adjacent. Adding a simple tactile cue to others - a recessed 'dimple' vs. a raised 'bump', and/or texture, would make them *ALL* immediately identifiable by touch alone.

 

Here's a possible idea to steal from the Cruze (from washingtonpost.com), if it's not under patent:

"To achieve the efficiency of the Cruze Eco, engineers . . . installed shutters to close off part of the grill at higher speeds to reduce wind drag . . ."

And I wonder if that sort of thing could be used to deal with the low mileage in cold weather problem too.

 

1. The "Immobilizer" light -- blinking when car is turned off -- should blink more slowly, so we can more easily see what it is,

2. The manual should have complete, legible diagrams of the instrument panels -- including especially the array of warning lights, labeled and referenced to the pages that discuss their meaning.

3. ALL warning lights should (including Immobilizer) should be included in the chart of warning lights at the back of the manual.

4. ALL warning lights should glow steadily for a few moments at start-up. (yes, including Immobilizer).

 

I would like an option to have the seat belt warning beeps come on when you put the car in drive instead of when you turn on the car. I imagine this could be possible since some cars auto-lock the doors when you shift into "D" or hit a certain speed. Here in Hawaii once you get in the car, the first thing you want to do is turn on the car to start the a/c. For me, the next thing I like to do is get the iPod ready, check the kids in the backseat, set the nav, etc., etc. I always drive with my seat belt on, but I don't want to hear the beeping while I'm just sitting in the car getting ready to go. Somehow, sitting and getting ready is more comfortable with the seat belt off, especially if you're turning around to look at the kids or getting things out of your bag in the passenger seat.

I know there is an option to turn off the beeping via the dealer, but I don't mind a warning, just not when I'm not ready to drive off yet. I list this as a 'wish list' item or option for the future.

 

Improve the exterior and interior looks of the Prius, somehow give it more style and 'swagger'.

I say this as gently as I can....

IMO, the Insight II* is a better looking** car on exterior than 3rd gen Prius.

* EX in particular with alloy wheels.
** Not saying this just because I bought an Accord and now a Honda fanboy. I said this before I bought the Accord.

Notice I said 'looking' , not MPGs, not interior space, nothing else, just exterior look.

Specifically, I like the aggresive front end look of Insight II better. The wheels and tires look appropriately sized for the Insight II.

>> the plastic hubcaps bring down the 3rd gen a notch for me. Tire profile looks a little tall.

>> the bump on nose of Prius doesn't help the situation.

Picky, yes, but I think many more might come running to Prius after giving it more style.

 

I just got my 2011 Four yesterday. While I do think the leather is a bit improved over the last generation, I think it could still be a little better for $28,000. One thing I've noticed that is the carpet is the same as the last gen is the carpet. It's a low budget carpet for sure. Better carpet would be a welcome improvement, along with removal of the beeps or a switch for the owner to be able to disable this without a dealer or a scanner. Other than a standard USB port, I can't think of anything else. This is a GREAT car!

 

i say make the windshield wipers lighter !!!! i changed mine to aftermarket ones and the car stopped shaking and making that loud noise they make when set on fast !!! gap gap gap gap !!! i finally have silent wipers !!!!

 

Might seem insignificant to some but it's my favorite convenience feature on our other vehicle:

I wish the Prius had a delayed locking door feaure.

i.e. After parking our GM vehicle, I open my door first (driver) and press lock before anyone else (my kids) opens their doors. This way I don't have to wait for them to open their doors. It chimes to let me know doors will auto lock 7 seconds after all doors are closed again.
It's great for locking and closing all the doors while giving me time to open the boot and grab my reusable bags or returnables.
It's one of those features you really miss when it's gone.

 

I disagree. I like the Gen III better than the Insight, and the Gen II better than the Gen III.

This may be the difference. I find in myself no desire for my car to look aggressive. It seems to me a strange thing to desire. My car is going to eat your car? Huh?

And yet every time I see someone describing a supposed improvement to the looks of a Prius, they always, and I mean always, use the word aggressive.

 

Pop those plastic hubcaps off and underneath are gorgeous aluminum wheels. For $52 you can order the centers for the wheels that have the Toyota logo on them from your dealer. Mine look great!! I haven't noticed any reduction in MPG.

 

Here is the article about "Shutters" from the USA Today. I am actually surprised the Prius doesn't do this especially with all the grill blocking that people do in the winter to increase MPG. This seems like a no-brainer.

Drive for higher mpg gives automakers case of the shutters - USATODAY.com

Happy driving,
Chris

 

With the enormous blindspot the Prius has I would love to see mirrors like our new Fiesta has, sorry for the big pic but it was the best that showed how they work:

 

According to honda.com , no one gets stuck with chintzy plastic hubcaps on 2012 Civic Hybrid as on Prius One - Four

would you like to see something more like this on next gen Prius, and no plastic hubcaps?

 

Still 17" short of that monster.

Clever way of closing the gaps on wheel. I kinda like them. Toyota, feel free to skip the plastic hubcaps on 4th gen Prius

2012 Civic Hybrid wheel -

 

I would like to see a more classic, mainstream cockpit layout on 4th gen regular Prius. Something like this - I like some type of gage showing through upper part of steering wheel. Also like speedometer straight in front of driver. Prefer more open, standard center console, but keep the foot parking brake, no problem with that. Please, no key, gotta have push button start