The 53 mpg Prius c hybrid subcompact rolls into 2013 with interior upgrades that now include a standard SofTex®-trimmed steering wheel on the Prius c Four, and a black SofTex dash panel on Prius c Two and Three models, matching the dash of the premium Prius c Four. The MSRP for the Prius c will range from $19,080 for the Prius c One to $23,360 for the Prius c Four, an increase of $130 or 0.6 percent. The 2013 Prius c will arrive at dealerships in early January. Danny's note: Just like in the v for 2013, I'm very happy to see Toyota adding the SofTex material to the steering wheel on the SofTex-equipped Prius c models in 2013. It was a glaring mistake when both of those cars were released.
Camry hybrid got 6.1" display audio added to the base model as well. What i dont understad - whats the "black SofTex dash panel "? I dont remember seeing it on Prius c before, even Four.
Yeah my dash is all black, even though interior is grey, unlike the lower models where there's a mix of light grey and black, with the oval shaped piece over the little compartment in front of the passenger seat is light grey (similar to the doors). It's definitely softer. Wish I could've gotten that wheel.
cool... yeah, i dont get lack of leather steering wheels... for me thats the biggest interior difference in an vehicle - plastic or leather steering wheel.
well strap on sucks... but you can cover it properly with leather for not a lot... but still, you shouldnt have to.
I love the Prius steering wheel, so I don't really understand the need to change it, but that's just my preference.
So all those people satisfied with the way it was, or want something different than the new and expensive OEM, should pay more so that you 'do not have to' bother yourself to put on the cover of your choice ?
I should also add that I think the two-tone dash was pretty ugly. I always thought the dash on the 1 and the 4 model (all black) looked much better. It looks like that's the feedback that Toyota got, because they're switching the 2 and 3 model to look like that as well.
On the sidetrack of the steering wheel material, maybe there would be a majority with a slight preference for leather, but there is a (very) small minority with a strong aversion to it. I'm vegetarian, have avoided leather for decades, and this is a non-negotiable aspect if I'm looking for a new car. I read a while back that Toyota deliberately chose not to use leather when they started the Prius line due to the moral and environmental concerns around its use, and I applaud them for doing that. I could see that maybe having it optional would meet some buyers' preferences, but it shouldn't be like Ford have done with the C-Max and made leather covered steering wheels the only option.
The price went up $130 -- that was the point of the OP. Your other argument is silly. It would be a rare person who wants to buy a car without an engine, or tyres. Only very few would choose the 'no windows' variety. Or 'foam but no upholstery.'
Price goes up for inflation every year on ever car Toyota makes. This is tiny increase, less than usual, probably due to Yen getting lower. So basically it is free. And what I meant was why get things like leather at all? Why get 3.5" MID? And other things like that...
A leather wheel-cover is NOT free, that much is obvious. Whether it is a smart universal OEM add-on depends how much Toyota charges, and what fraction of buyer population appreciate the cover. I really have no idea; I was just responding to your opinion that because you want OEM leather on every car, everybody does.
I wounder if I could just order a '13 steering wheel to replace the hard plastic one and how much that would be. Haven't tried looking around to see how much it would be to have the current wheel wrapped, I assume it would be a lot cheaper. That is the biggest thing that I didn't like about the Prius c, almost a deal breaker. All my past vehicles have had it and what a difference it makes (at least for me).
