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3 month review of my new ShuttlePod (2020 Prius LE)

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by ShuttlePod, Sep 13, 2020.

  1. ShuttlePod

    ShuttlePod Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Looks-wise, it's the first model (Gen 4 mid-cycle refresh) that I really love the appearance of. It's amazing how a few different curves and colors can make such a difference!
    Definitely drives a lot smoother than my 2008 Touring, though it took a minute to get used to some of the subtleties, especially braking on really long downhill areas.
    Also getting much better mileage, even well over 50 MPG with a full car & a 13 cubic foot roof box, driving on steep mountain roads.
    Just added some Huper-Optic ceramic 70 tint, barely noticeable but blocks a lot of solar heat.

    A few annoyances for sure, some of which will hopefully be addressed with my first oil change.
    First off, the beeps (backup & seatbelt). I know it's been mentioned enough already on here, but holy-cow are they loud & annoying! I really don't need the car screaming at me to the point where it literally hurts my ears because I'm not wearing a seatbelt when driving around a campground or parking lot. I'm hoping the dealer will disable these, otherwise I'll have to buy the hardware & app.

    The armrest is definitely a tad too short or far back for me, and some of the menus & screens on the display are poorly laid out. I shouldn't have to wait for 3 or 4 very slooow screens just to adjust audio levels & such. And I still don't know what the "home" screen is for, and why I can't just set it to start on the audio screen. Seems very silly. Hopefully a software upgrade will happen, but on this I have my doubts.

    The strangest one - that is such a minor inconvenience but for some reason annoys me the most - is that the car randomly decides when to start with the climate control in "driver priority" mode. It seem to just do it about half the time, regardless of how it was previously set or the number of passengers in the car or any other variables.

    Overall, I love the car. Definitely made the right choice. Now if they can just make some minor improvements to the software, it would be perfect!
     
    #1 ShuttlePod, Sep 13, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 13, 2020
    bisco and krmcg like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
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    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    nice write up, all the best!(y)
     
    #2 bisco, Sep 13, 2020
  3. lovepitbulls

    lovepitbulls Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2020
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    Location:
    wnc
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    Limited
    carista wont help the radio display, but will fix backup and seat belt beepers, driver priority blower default, and then some. well worth it imo
     
    #3 lovepitbulls, Sep 13, 2020
    robsnyder20 and krmcg like this.
  4. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
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    Location:
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    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    That driver priority mode can go to heck.

    I want my car HVAC set to what I shut the car off with. Imagine setting it correctly, then the day heats up to a 'feels like' of 110 degrees, and getting back to the car after a cardio workout in said heat, only to find the damned car is trying to not cool the entire cabin down & push the hot air out.
     
    #4 Mambo Dave, Sep 14, 2020
  5. A5B1

    A5B1 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 20, 2016
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    Location:
    ft myers, fl
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    Well written and I totally agree w/ most of your post. I am coming up on one month w/ my new 2020 LE, Red w/ moonstone.I traded in my 2019 Hyundai Ioniq SEL which is almost as good as my new Prius. However, my Prius is quieter, rides much better and gets better gas mileage. The prius seats are much more comfortable and a better looking interior. Also, the Prius has a MUCH better resale value. I love my Prius
     
    #5 A5B1, Sep 15, 2020
  6. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
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    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Thanks for your review. Carista is your friend with the seat belt warning and the backup buzzer FYI.

    The driver priority mode shuts down the A/C to all other vents other than the driver once the cabin is cool. Living in Florida, I have a pretty long commute and sometimes when it is 110 outside, having the driver only A/C roughly 15 - 20 minutes into my commute actually makes it warmer in the car then just cooling it all down. Most of the time, I am fine with leaving it on auto with driver only. Just my 2cents!
     
    #6 robsnyder20, Sep 16, 2020
  7. ShuttlePod

    ShuttlePod Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    I don't mind the feature as an option. It's just weird that it randomly turns on all by itself, seems to be maybe 40% of the time.
     
    #7 ShuttlePod, Sep 16, 2020
  8. morpheusx

    morpheusx Professor Chaos

    Joined:
    Mar 6, 2007
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    Location:
    Akron, OH
    Vehicle:
    2011 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Just bought an LE myself 2 gripes.
    Biggest gripe is the standard radio speakers sound awful.
    The stock tires do not inspire much confidence, I’ll probably end up swapping out early.
     
    #8 morpheusx, Sep 17, 2020
  9. ShuttlePod

    ShuttlePod Junior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 19, 2019
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    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    The audio system is pretty bad. Slower than my old commodore 64 computer, and the sound isn't much better. I saw some folks that did entire audio upgrades, but I'm wondering if just replacing the speakers would make a noticeable difference.

    As far as tires, I'll probably wear these down first, then upgrade. I ran Nokian WRG2/WRG3 tires on my 08 & they were pretty good. Probably go with them or something similar.
     
    #9 ShuttlePod, Sep 17, 2020
    Last edited: Sep 17, 2020
  10. pianewman

    pianewman Active Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2019
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    Location:
    DallasFortWorthTEXASregion
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Which tires/size?
     
    #10 pianewman, Sep 17, 2020
  11. Jamie Donmoyer

    Jamie Donmoyer New Member

    Joined:
    Sep 17, 2020
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    Location:
    Orlando
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    do you have a Prius dealer in Florida that you like? I love my 2007 but at over 250,000 miles it is ready to go. Looking for a new/slightly used Prius. These are great pieces of info as I am figuring out what to get.
     
    #11 Jamie Donmoyer, Sep 17, 2020
  12. robsnyder20

    robsnyder20 Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 13, 2012
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    Location:
    SW Florida USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    I know stadium toyota in Tampa, FL used to offer employee pricing and you may be able to use that as leverage at your local dealership. Their prices are pretty good for no negotiation. Thats how I did mine at my local dealership. Said I have an appointment today to look at the vehicle and legit did but they got me into the same car locally. Hard to make you a higher sell with a piece of paper in your hand.
     
    #12 robsnyder20, Sep 20, 2020
  13. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2016
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    Location:
    Tampa, FL
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    For a used Prius, this guy will do his utmost to make sure you are a happy customer. You might find a lower price elsewhere, but you won't get lied to here. Listings - Tampa Hybrids Inc.
     
    #13 jerrymildred, Sep 21, 2020
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