WeatherTech Sunshade

The full heat of summer hasn't arrived yet, but I bought a WeatherTech Sunshade to help keep the interior a little cooler than if nothing was used. This is cut to fit the dimensions of the Gen 3 windshield. They even include winged tabs to cover the forward side windows. That's a nice detail; it also helps keep the sunshade firmly in place. I've always used generic sunshades in my cars over the years and wanted to have something to fit the Prius properly. This one does just that. I think the combination of the reflective foil surface on the insulated shade will perform better than the generic style I've used in the past. They advertise that it can be used with the black side up during the winter to help prevent ice build-up. I didn't bother to try it that way this past winter.

The only potential downsides are (1) it's pretty big even when rolled up at 5" dia x 35-36" long so it takes up a fair amount of space in the backseat area when not installed, (2) it has to be rolled tightly to get the velcro retaining strap to lock, and (3) it's stiff which makes it kinda tough to fit around the interior rearview mirror. I expect that third one will improve with usage as it begins to bend a little more easily around the rearview mirror. I guess its price would be a fourth issue, since it costs more (at $49.95) than a generic sunshade from Wal-Mart or AutoZone, etc. I'm still happy with it.