So I'm currently in the market for a new Prius. However, I can't decide between the 3 and 4. I'm not really interested in any of the extra do-dads, but since I'm going to be commuting in this car for work daily, I need it to be comfortable. I like that the 4 has faux leather, heated seats with power control and lumbar support, but I really don't know if that is worth the extra $3,000. See, I can buy aftermarket heated seat covers for (just the two front seats) $1500 and then add in a lumbar cushion if necessary, but I have power seats now and they're much more convenient and safer than manual seats when driving. So is the upgrade to the 4 worth it for seat options?
Not for the seat options only. You can purchase $500 Clazzio's and add lumbar support for much cheaper. Since you rarely adjust your seats once they are set I don't see the lack of power seats as a safety issue.
I would go for a Package 3 as well unless you go for the sunroof package on a prius 4 (which is my favorite prius package)
I went through the same decision process and decided to go with the Three. No regrets. I didn't see the advantage of the almost $5k difference in price. I got the solar sun roof package/Nav on the Three and haven't looked back
I got the Four and really like it. I like the power seats. I think they're more comfortable. I also really like the HUD. The "deluxe" audio system I can take or leave. I haven't had a reason to use Safety Connect, and also have AAA anyway. I haven't regretted my decision at all.
Totally worth it JUST for the seats. Prius seats are uncomfortable for many. I wish I had gotten the power seats which totally fix the problem (I tried it after discovering the problem on long drives and test drove, totally fixed the seat problem). You get some good safety features like the Auto/On/Off headlights. Heads Up Display is actually a good safety feature also as you tend to keep watching the power monitor to get better mileage, taking eyes off the road. The HUD puts this in front of you.
Just moved from a III to a IV w/sunroof option. I really love all of the upgrades. The seats are more comfortable and the power seat with lumbar support is really going to be great on long drives. The ability to make these adjustments quickly and easily, even while driving, is great. There are many improvements over the III. Whether it's worth the extra money really depends...I happen to think so but either way, and speaking as someone who's owned both, you can't go wrong!
We had the same deliberation and decided to go with IV. This was going to be my wife's commute car and she wanted power seats. The reason being, she is on the short side and found the power seats allowed for more smaller level of adjustments/refinements, that she found more to her liking and comfort than using the manual adjustment on III and no lumbar support. The heated seat is additional bonus. As a FYI, the power seat is only on the driver side and not on the passenger side. Although, I personally did not think it was worth $3K upgrade, but for having a happy wife...it certainly was. LOL
I purchased a 3 with heated leather seats and solar sunroof and was still over 2k cheaper than the 4. The only thing I miss is having auto on/off lights. Bigger display and power seat didnt matter to me for the price difference.
I couldn't make up my mind between the two, then I found a used 2011 Prius 3 where the previous owner had already installed Katzkin leather seats w/seat warmers, tinted windows, and a Homelink rearview mirror with compass. I picked up a Garmin Nuvi and feel great that I have "almost" a Prius 4. The Katzkin seats are very impressive. I keep the headlights always on, and they automatically turn off a short while after the car's been turned off.
