UK Prius - Thoughts 3 months in

I think that the grey interior here in the states is the same one. It shows up in photographs as almost white but it is indeed grey. I think that you'll find the stereo will sound better as it breaks in. It's unfortunate that turning directions aren't included in your HUD. I'd think that feature should be mandatory if you are including an HUD. I haven't used mine much, but I'm glad they are where I can see them without taking my eyes off the road. When I'm searching for a destination, I'm already not paying as much attention as I should to my driving.

 

Thanks for the review. I keep lane departure warning only in the highway. On regular driving is not really necessary and can get annoying in other traffic situations as you mentioned.
Regarding the HUD now showing turning directions, I am a bit surprised. I see no reason why it shouldn't show up in the U.K. - maybe a setting is preventing to show them?
Have you tried btw the traffic sign recognition? How does it work for you?

Regarding car play, i'd Toyota has remained 10 years back with its software. I have a basic version with no nav, I understand it is "basic" but not even showing album covers is just mean. At least BT setup works really well and audio quality with 6 speakers is quite good.

 

Agreed - the touch screen is HORRID - I listen to PodCasts while driving (often BBC!!) and if I want to re-listen to a segment again, the only option is to find the rewind button on the other side of the screen and hold it.

My last 2 cars you could do that with the button on the steering wheel without having to look for it.

 

Software feels even older than 10 years, and is at odds with how much effort they have put into the latest hybrid technology. It's embarrassing when people who drive smaller basic Ford, Vauxhall (Opel) ride in my car and point out how backward the audio/maps interface is compared to their cheaper vehicles.

"Ella,
why do you guys still go on with that “Check the Mirrorlink web site for compatibility of your phone” answer, every time? You know perfectly well – as well as anyone who’s been following this blog entry – that NO PHONE manufactured in the last 4 years is compatible with the version of MirrorLink supported by the Touch 2 with Go. This is so frustrating: not only Toyota ships an outdated feature with their newest and greatest cars, but it makes it appear that it’s our fault for having the wrong expectations. I am on my second Toyota, and because of this Mirrorlink issue and the way you’ve been handling it, it will be the last."
Source: Toyota Touch 2: Introduction - Toyota

I love the traffic recognition, especially since here in London, the limits change between 20 and 30 quite quickly.

PurpleGecko - what kind of MPG you getting in the UK? I spend most of my time in London, apart from the occasional motorway run at 70mph. Whether I'm in the city or on the motorway, the car is reporting 60-ish mpg every day. I drive in Eco mode, drive with very light throttle, and have 15 inch wheels. I was getting 75-ish daily when the weather was warmer.

 

Just push and hold the left button on the steering wheel to pause. Press again to resume. I've heard that works. I have yet to try it.

 

US models allow pausing some sources by pushing and holding the audio MODE button on the steering wheel. Bluetooth* and CD modes, at least, allow seeking backward and forward using the previous/next (down/up arrows) buttons surrounding the MODE button. To seek, press and hold the appropriate button; you will eventually hear a beep and the audio will start seeking until you release.

* requires support in the Bluetooth device and/or App. For example, Pandora doesn't support seeking, but my regular audio player app does.

 

Thanks - I'll try it on my Aussie version.

 

Nav arrows are available on the MFD screen instead of the HUD, select the compass, with the Nav on a route, and a scroll box appears, scroll down for turn arrows.

 

Hi
I am in UK and currently drive an Auris Touring Sport Excel Hybrid . I have also owned both Gen II and III Prius's. I have just ordered a new Business Plus (I guess that's a 3 in the US).
The options, spec's and configurations we get are down to Toyota GB marketing. I am convinced they have no experience outside Toyota and seriously doubt any of them fund the cars they own. I have delayed my order for over a month trying to resolve the sanitary white fittings and still can not get an answer. Prius's registered after April next year here in UK will be subject to road tax for the first time. Those on 17" wheels will pay higher tax, those registered before April will pay no tax. You would think the dealers would be having a feast, but not here. After a month of trying to get definitive information about the configuration, colours, prices and trying to see and test drive a car on 15" wheels I have had to seek information off chat and Web sites. Yesterday I placed my order after getting quotes from a comparison website site and saved £1K over the price my local dealer wanted. This was to ensure the car arrives before the tax hike.
I still have not driven,tested, or even seen a Prius in the colour I have chosen or on 15" wheels. My Gen III averaged 60mpg on 15", my Auris averages 50 mpg on 17". Here you could not get the Auris Excel on any other size. I know from bitter experience Toyota GB give absolutely no support after sales. What you see is what your stuck with. Simple enhancements to software is outside their scope. The customer is wrong to point out any deficiency in design or over site. If you do not like white plastic, or reflections from inside trim annoy, tough you should have bought something else. Or noticed it on the test drive. Yes Toyota GB customer support actually said that when I had the temerity to complain about the speedometer on my Auris.
If it's on time I should see my red Prius on 15" wheels by Christmas, but I doubt it.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

Interesting! I wonder if those T employees were Japanese or English. After traveling around the world, I have found that British sales staff are often less helpful than elsewhere and it really saddens me.

 

I have a 2 month old Prius - Business Edition Plus, which I bought from Fish Bros via DriveTheDeal. I share several of your thoughts, especially lack of tactile feedback making the touch buttons hard to identify. I'm curious, do you have the ability to use the physical mobile buttons on the steering wheel? Those three shown in white on the left of this picture [edit apparently I'm not allowed to post links yet, fair play, just google 2016-Toyota-Prius-interior-steering-wheel and you'll see the picture I mean]. I believe I don't have the voice support because I only have the Bus Ed Plus, however I find it odd that I cannot use the other two to either pick up and hang up on a hands-free call - no matter which button I press the screen just flashes up that I don't have the voice support (which is an error I'd only expect if I actually press the third 'voice feature' button). I wondered if this was normal behaviour. I don't have voice support in my Yaris Hybrid, but the Yaris pick up and hang up steering wheel buttons function as you'd expect.

I do find myself getting infuriated at how slow to respond the in car entertainment system is too, it's not a pleasant user experience at all, it feels like the processor powering it can't keep up with the animated transitions that are thrown at it when you interact with it, the display lags significantly behind user interaction, especially with things like changing source or volume from the steering wheel buttons.

Overall, even with the above in mind, I'm absolutely amazed with the car and will be very happy once I get my boot liner sorted. The hypersonic red is worth every penny and the active safety features 'feel' like they have a lot of value to me.

 

I have the Business Edition, which is one grade lower than yours, and I use the buttons on the wheel to answer/hang up calls.

It is weird that voice activation/recognition is not included on a car at this price point. You'd think with all the emphasis on safety that Toyota have made with the Gen 4, it would have been a standard feature. Even more bizarre of a business decision, considering that I rented a basic Ford Focus which is several thousands cheaper than a Gen 4, and that had voice support!

 

That sounds like a remarkable omission or a bug to me. Can you be sure that the car was built for the UK market, or is it possible that DtD sourced the car from some other market beyond UK borders. Perhaps you could notify the seller and request remedial action through them.

 

An old thread but I too have a business edition plus and had a the Wth moment when I get the "voice recognition not activated on your Toyota touch 2!" I can activate SIRI by pressing the voice button twice but I thought voice recognition was standard in the Business ed plus?

Thought I'd look through here before making a call to Toyota for clarification.

 

I have a useless "voice activation" button on my steering wheel...that should tell you the situation here in Germany, with the mid "Confort Level".
To activate Siri on my iPhone, I need to get the phone in my hand. Keeping the "take phone call" pressed on the steering wheel does nothing.
(when I press it, I get the same message on the Toyota Touch Go system on my Prius)
(the basic (non navi) version of the multimedia center is so cheap, and with so little functions, it is unbelievable - e.g. I don't get album cover with BT connection).

 

My earlier post in this thread did not reflect that I had not tried to use mine. Having tried it now, I find it's just like your be+ although mine is just a be. Will ask dealer next time I'm there as it's a 2 hr round trip. I thought it was just because mine doesn't have Nav, but yours do...