Prime LE or XLE '21 - is carplay wired or wireless?

XLE is wired only

 

AFAIK, all Toyota models that offer Carplay or Android Auto are all wired. I have not read any info that Toyota is offering wireless Carplay or AA. Correct me if I am wrong. I can't say I have checked every Toyota model. But I know for sure no wireless Carplay or AA is offered for any models of Prius PRIME or Gen4 Prius.

 

Wired, unfortunately.

 

There’s a little gizmo you can buy, which turns wired CarPlay into wireless. It has worked flawlessly for my non-Prime 2020 XLE e-AWD.
CPLAY2air wireless adapter for factory CarPlay on CARPLAY2air.com – CPLAY2air.com

 

Includes navigation?

 

I’m not sure exactly what you mean? CarPlay permits you to use Apple Maps, Google Maps, etc., on your phone but display it on your Prius screen. This is built into 2020+ Prius, in wired form. The gizmo I reference converts that to a wireless connection.

 

Think of it like this. If you just want to listen to music via Bluetooth you have that capability on every trim level

If you want to take advantage of Apple car play or Android auto you need to plug in a USB cord into the outlet in the center console.

That can't be done wireless on any model

Why is this the case? I have no idea. It's probably the amount of data being transferred.

That being said the XLE and limited have built in nav.

Which when I thought about it was a absolutely useless feature if I'm mainly using Apple car play or Android auto as my navigation.

If you're using an app for your navigation though car play, the integrated nav built into the car is useless to you. All you're really taking advantage of is that bigger screen. Which is nice I'll give it that...


Personally I hated the lack of actual buttons on the 11" screen.

I found myself being distracted while diving and trying to use it at the same time. Especially for climate control.

I prefer the cloth seats on the LE better too (call me crazy but I really do)


Regardless of which trim level you choose all will need a wired connection for either android auto or car play. And only the LE has android auto.


I like my LE better than the XLE I had. I will probably get another one after this is paid off.

Which if my stonks go TO THE MOON BABY will be sooner rather than later.

Sorry to off track from your original question just figured some extra info on the trims would be helpful.

 

Any downsides to this device? Other than the price.

 

Is there one for android auto?

 

I haven’t seen any. The connection process takes a bit longer. Once the Prius recognizes the device, it’s then another 10-ish seconds for the device to connect to your phone.

Sorry, I’m not aware of one.

 

I’ve read that using this gives noticeable lag to phone calls etc. Do you find that to be correct?

 

Because wireless Car Play is more expensive and Toyota went cheap on a 2021 model. The fact they don't even offer Car Play but only Android Auto on the LE says it all.

I wish car manufacturers stopped offering useless Navs that become obsolete in 2 years. We all have a phone with the latest connection tech (4G or 5G), can be upgraded when necessary or as desired, always have the latests and greatest maps, and several nav apps to ones' content.
Instead I am stuck with a screen with a nav that has already a 1 year old map, with horrible low res graphics (from the 90s) and with little to no integration to my phone. I HAVE to use Car Play even if I didn't want to. Entune, forget it - it was maybe ok 5-10 years ago when Car Play was not a thing yet.

All car manufacturers should provide is clear functional and safe interface to the car features (e.g., HVAC) and leave the infotainment to the phone you own, with preferably wireless connection and charging. Having a wireless charger with a wired USB Car Play connection is idiotic.

Toyota needs to up their game with infotainment. Because this Prius Prime 2021, as much as it is fantastic for the car features, design, quality, it is disaster for the infotainment section and lack of buttons for basic car functions (like HVAC). The car might be 2021, but the infotainment is 2010 (at best).

 

Wired Car Play has been offered in all trims of Prius Prime since the 2020 models. It is the 2021 PP LE model that started offering wired AA for the first time. The XLE and Ltd with larger screen HU have no AA connectivity.

 

I haven’t seen this at all. I’ve had lengthy phone calls and no one has ever said anything. Nor have I noticed anything. Besides the slight delay in the CarPlay first popping up, the wireless is indistinguishable from the wired in my view.

 

I have recently bought the CPlay2Air adapted mentioned in this forum.
Warning: the return policy for the CPlay2Air is borderline illegal, and surely in the scam realm. You can return the device only within 15 days *from shipping*. Not 15 days after getting it. And shipping it back, means on your dime and to China. That is expensive. And there is a restocking fee of $25. All this shown clearly in their website here, but it is not mentioned when you order.
I have read several reviews on other website, not their own, of a LOT of people that got the device, it didn't work, and ended up a $100 brick to recycle.


All this being said...
It does work on my Prime Limited 2021. It took a bit for first setup, but I followed the instructions accurately and it works fine. It connect quickly, considering that wired CarPlay takes a while to boot in the first place.
There is no lag for music (I haven't tried phone calls yet) and animations on the screen are fluid. The graphics are ever so slightly rendered differently, but it is CarPlay. Let's see how this thing will work in x months. I read from many people in forums that after some time it stops working altogether.
The biggest issue I have, is not with it, but with Toyota's Qi charger! My iPhone 13 Pro Max doesn't manage to charge and it loses the connection all the time.
So Wireless CarPlay with the CPlay2Air works (but I strongly recommend to get another adapter at Amazon with clear and customer-friendly return policy!!), but ok for shorter trips where the battery of your phone will last. For longer ones, wired CarPlay is the solution for me, since the Qi charger doesn't work with my iPhone 13 Pro Max...
The irony of it all - I thought this adapter would not work and then the wireless charging from Toyota doesn't work... ahahah

 

Another data point for the CPlay2Air adapter, mine arrived last week and I've installed it in my '22 Prime. It works pretty seamlessly, I can keep my phone in my bag, and it connects in about 15 seconds. I haven't seen any glitches, lags, or drops so far. It is currently $119 on their site (claims to be marked down from $159). Shipping took slightly over a week.

I have the same issue with the Qi charger and my iPhone, I think that the charging coil is quite small on the Prius side. I normally don't charge my phone in the car so it hasn't been an issue.

 

I have noticed that my CPlay2Air has issues connecting when the cabin temperature is low. And sometimes I think the Prime’s own software has issue and reports a “USB error”. But otherwise it seems to be working fine.
Considering the horrid return policy though, I’d still buy an adapter via Amazon or other retailer with a customer friendly return policy.

 

interesting. How cold is the cabin temperature?

 

I’d say 10C/50F or less.