One of my favorite features of my 2018 Prime LE was the cache radio feature. I used it to spare myself from radio commercials for two years. I was actually pretty bummed to learn Toyota had removed that feature from the 2021 LE to limit it to the XLE and Limited trims. It's got me to wondering what other features have been removed. It's just a reminder that the Toyota gods can giveth and taketh away.
yes. i think as new things are implemented, they are forced to remove some old to keep the cost down. everyone has their personal, 'i wish they had kept' list. congrats on the new prime btw!
I have Android Auto in the Leaf and I hate it. You can't even enter a destination into Google maps to get directions. For media player apps you can't browse your music to select what you want to hear, you can only choose from the most recent 10 songs. It's basically just a screen that lets you see what would be on your phone screen, but for "safety*" you can't interact much with it. I haven't tested Toyota's implementation yet. * By safety, I mean the engineers must feel that it's safer to fumble with the phone, disconnect it, unlock it, do all the screen navigation and typing there, and then reconnect it, than it would be to just be able to enter a destination directly from the car's screen.
I fully agree. I had Android Auto on my Civic and found it to be not very useful. The built-in navigation was easier to use, in addition to the other limitations you mentioned
I wish they had kept the rear console instead of replacing it with a seat that I never use. Could really use that extra storage.
I never used that, but I'm also missing the 12V outlet in the rear seat. I need the front one to charge my phone while I listen to music on my thumb drive. That means nobody else in the car can power anything that needs 12V
I remember how many people here complained about that rear middle console/storage area and wanting the full back seat instead. We've never used the back seat in our car for anything other than storage. I'm doubtful this will ever be done in the Prime, but it would be nice if the back seat was able to be completely removed easily for more storage area, camping space etc.. Leaving only protective panels on top of wires and connectors etc.. I think the USB port up front may have some power, but probably not enough to keep up with phone usage in a lot of cases. Maybe Toyota will upgrade to USB C sooner or later which should at least give us one more option for connecting.
It does charge the phone, and it's also necessary if you want to use Android Auto, but it also means you can't listen to music on a thumb drive if you're using it for your phone. You have to choose: music or Android Auto. I'm not sure what they were thinking only putting one USB in the front seats. There's more often two people in front than two people in back.
On both 2017 and 2020 PP, I used a USB hub switch. I never used it to charge the phone, but on the 2020 PPLE, I was able to use it to listen to USB and connect a phone at the same time. If I have two USB thumb drives on the hub, it showed as USB1 and USB2 on the display.
Interesting. I do need to charge my phone in the car, though. It's usually the only time it gets charged, and especially if I'm using it for Android Auto.
I didn't have AA on the 2020 PP. I was using the phone for the ScoutGPS app. I am not sure if it was charging the phone, but if it was, then the charge rate is very slow. I think all of the USB ports in PP are only providing USB2.0 standard 0.5A? The Qi charger on 2017 PP was just as bad (low amp). I used only a 12v USB-C 60W PD charger adapter to charge my phone or a laptop. It charges a 4000mAh phone battery in less than 30min.
The rear ports on the 2020 say 2.1A on each one. Not QuickCharge or PowerDelivery by any stretch, but usable.
I'm finally getting around to shopping for something, but I'm seeing people say Android Auto won't work through a Y-cable or a hub. I just can't understand what Toyota was thinking putting only one USB port in the front where two people sit and with an entertainment system that requires two separate USB inputs. Looks like I may really be forced to choose between music and navigation. And they removed the AUX input. They really downgraded the entertainment system relative to 2018. Features in 2018 Prime LE that were removed from 2020: Auxiliary audio input jack Cache radio feature Rear 12V power outlet Built-in navigation I think they may be trying to push the LE down to Corolla status in terms of features.
The irony is that the Corolla is actually getting quite a number of available features - like heated rear seats and a power moonroof. (Along with heated steering wheel and the same 10-way power driver’s seat as the Prius. Note that Japan has ventilated front seats for the regular Prius after the refresh.
