1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Why I'm Not Upgrading To A 2017 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by blane, Jan 16, 2017.

  1. blane

    blane Carmudgeon

    Joined:
    Apr 10, 2012
    98
    56
    0
    Location:
    NJ Suburb of NYC
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    XLE
    I received an invitation from my dealer to trade in my 2011 Prius III recently. It promised an attractive trade-in value.

    I responded to the Sales Manager's email as follows:

    Dear Mr. XXXXXX,

    I might have considered replacing my low-mileage 2011 Prius III (I'm very satisfied with it, and XXXX XXXXX was a pleasure to deal with) with a 2017 Prius IV except for several unacceptable issues.
    • Styling is ugly (what were they thinking?). Too many unrelated creases and angles. Toyota / Lexus oversize black spindle grilles should be banished.
    • Rear hatch grab handles are way too high for my 5' 2" wife to reach (or even touch with her fingertips). If you can't close the hatch, you can't drive the car.
    • Dumb shiny white, reflective, distracting, console (black vinyl contact "paper" covering it will not suffice, and will no doubt peel eventually).
    • When is Toyota going to manufacture vehicles that utilize the Android Auto (and Apple CarPlay) smartphone capability on the car's in-dash screens? As a minimum, Android Auto is already available in the latest Acura, Alpha Romeo, Audi, Bentley, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, FIAT, Ford, GMC, Honda, Hyundai, Infiniti, Jaguar, Jeep, Kia, Lamborghini, Land Rover, Lincoln, Maserati, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Peugeot, RAM, Renault, Subaru, Volkswagen and Volvo vehicles. Why is Toyota so far behind the rest of the market? Toyota's Entune just doesn't cut it.
    I just thought that you might appreciate the feedback.
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    110,133
    50,050
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i just wish it had went further than his circular file.:p
     
    Felt and RCO like this.
  3. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 4, 2016
    1,396
    1,489
    0
    Location:
    Newark, OH, USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    As I understand, the appliqué pack is molded to the shape of the console, and has some rigidity to it, so it won't peel.

    That doesn't solve the other complaints, though.
     
  4. ePWR

    ePWR Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2017
    131
    137
    0
    Location:
    PRIUSchat
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I have to respectively disagree. very pleased with the interesting styling of my 2016. there is no black spindle grill. I pull the lowest edge of hatch to close with no problem. white console is not reflective nor distracting. never notice when driving. Cleans easily. no use for android auto. Enjoying my Prius.
     
    karinhunt, laevus, jtg61 and 7 others like this.
  5. Lucifer

    Lucifer Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 23, 2015
    1,014
    486
    0
    Location:
    Nh
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    So it's ugly, they all are, if the rear hatch is a deal breaker, wow, just attach a chord hanging down.
    You don't like the Toyota system like the one yoo already have, well it's ugly, they all are.

    Get better mileage with something more reliable and less expensive, good luck.
     
  6. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    The 2017 is less ugly than other Toyota/Lexus because it does not have the large black grilles.
    The Trim Two (& Two Eco?) have a matte black console.
    I believe some people have installed aftermarket radio units with some of the features you have mentioned. I think Toyota seems to think their platform-agnostic system is better than the vendor lock-in of Android Auto or CarPlay.
    Since the Trim Two just has basic Bluetooth, you miht be able to save some money a d install a head-unit with the features you desire.
     
  7. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I don't really think any of them are deal-breakers - maybe the Apple/Android issue could be, but I've never used that tech anyway. Gen 2/3 looked quite ODD when first introduced - now it's quite normal to most eyes. The longer Gen 4 is around, the more normal it looks - partly because just about every other manufacturer (like most of those you listed + Bugatti and RollsRoyce which are the ugliest) have ugly cars too - is there a SUV or truck which isn't ugly? At least PRIUS has some reason for some of it's styling - it's been wind-tunnel finessed to be one of THE most aerodynamic cars around.

    And I far prefer the white to the shiny black which shows every fingerprint and every grain of dust. My Mum dusts my black at least twice a week when she gets in - the white has never been cleaned in 6 months and looks stunning.

    Instead of your list, it's a pity you didn't include the real legitimate problems. Like lack of storage, useless QI charger, useless glovebox - and the biggest I hate is the radio, that it's touch-screen is mighty difficult to use while on the go - go over a bump, you press the wrong "button" and you're back to square one, jumped to next track instead of rewinding, hung up the phone or dialed the wrong number. My previous cars had REAL BUTTONS - which you can feel in the day/dark and achieve things without taking eyes off the road (or speedo).

    Enjoy your Gen 3.
     
    Priifan, RCO and krmcg like this.
  8. Anastaceyrose

    Anastaceyrose Member

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2016
    60
    66
    0
    Location:
    California
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two

    .....aaand you just wanted us to know how much you hate the cars we have?
     
  9. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    I guess haters gonna hate. I noticed they did not like any other current Toyota products too.

    Most everything in life has trade offs. My car is not perfect but it has the important things to fulfill my needs at this time.
     
    Montgomery, kithmo, RCO and 1 other person like this.
  10. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
    11,518
    14,128
    0
    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    If I had to like everything about a car in order to buy it, I'd be walking. And if I had to like everything about anything else to buy it, I'd die from exposure. :rolleyes:
     
    RadiantLin, andusee, Priifan and 5 others like this.
  11. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Yes, I thought after my earlier response - I looked, drove, crawled over a Brand New superseded Gen 3 and a Gen 4 - there really was no comparison, particularly when it came to driving - which led me to buy the Gen 4 though the Gen 3 was substantially cheap.

    A whole generation of improvements - apart from the touchscreen radio, storage and a few other minor quibbles. One huge improvement from 3 -> 4 - the Gen 4 RADAR Cruise is down to ZERO rather than about 30km/hr.
     
    Priifan, krmcg and RCO like this.
  12. Roger T

    Roger T Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2014
    198
    48
    0
    Location:
    MA
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I guess Asians like the look of the Gen 4... It sells well in Japan and as an Asian it looks awesome, in and out.
     
    #12 Roger T, Jan 17, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
  13. Absolu22

    Absolu22 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Nov 15, 2016
    28
    61
    0
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I am not going to contribute making you feel good about not buying the new Prius, because I love it, like most or maybe even everyone who own one on this chat.
    That's being said, it's smart choice to keep your 2011 Prius for a longer time!
    Cheers!
     
    RCO likes this.
  14. ATHiker

    ATHiker Senior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2010
    644
    560
    0
    Location:
    Massachusetts
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Four Touring
    The Gen 4 is like a beautiful woman.

    Wonderful to behold and appreciate for many, but not everyone likes women.

    Nothing wrong with that.
     
    Absolu22, RCO and krmcg like this.
  15. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    [
    Since the seemingly major complaint is about Entune which is in their 2011 Prius, they should likely list the car on our Private Sales forum and get something that better meets their wants/needs.
     
    #15 Prodigyplace, Jan 17, 2017
    Last edited: Jan 17, 2017
    dfine1966, Absolu22 and krmcg like this.
  16. greenmonster01

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2015
    106
    79
    0
    Location:
    Southeastern MA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    I like mine!
     
    EdG and krmcg like this.
  17. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk EGR Fanatic

    Joined:
    Oct 17, 2010
    56,675
    39,222
    80
    Location:
    Greater Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    Touring
    Amen!

    Car manufacturers have been "progressing" in the wrong direction for decades now. I think the last time I could adjust which vents the air came outa, without taking my eyes off the road, was our lowly '81 Civic.
     
    Merkey, alanclarkeau and RCO like this.
  18. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    We have an up/down switch on the Gen 4 that cycles the settings. You need a Gen 4 :D
     
  19. Toppcat

    Toppcat Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2015
    223
    69
    0
    Location:
    Northern California
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    Five
    Looks!! I would never consider one.
     
  20. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,799
    11,362
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    It looks much better than other Toyota/Lexus with the gaping black grilles, though. What other good options are there?