So today we stopped by our local Toyota Dealership to see the new Prius. Overall it was very impressive, that is until I saw the resolution of the NAV screen. Why Toyota decided to down grade the screen resolution from the previous Prius version is beyond me. Then I looked at the speedometer cluster and noticed the hybrid display side was not as crisp as the speedometer. I was like, "your kidding me right". The final blow was finding out you can't get the new Prius with all the options like the Advanced Technology Package and the moonroof with the solar powered ventilation. Are you kidding me Toyota? We really wanted to like this next generation Prius because it has a lot of great improvements but the few issues we have with it are a deal breaker for us. I guess we will keep our 2006 and 2007 Prius a while longer and wait for the Gen IV Prius. I hope Toyota is listening.
I guess many of you that have not seen the 2006-2009 Prius Navigation screen wouldn't notice the terrible screen resolution of the 2010 Prius. To me it is like going from my current high resolution computer screen, to a low resolution screen from the 80's. There is just no way I can do it.
GREAT--your no longer interested in the current model Prius. Now, hopefully, you'll take your sorry, negative, complaining self to a Corvette board or SOMEWHERE you can be happy (if possible). Carl
Oh heavens. Rest - I guess you wish to be heard. Carl, you disagree with his "take" on the screens. I have a 2007. I like too much about the 2010 to let one issue about resolution deter me from purchasing one when my HOV stickers run out and they tell us that they won't re-start them. Screen res? I won't let THAT be a deal breaker for me. That's for sure. Rest, sorry you don't agree. For me, personally, a deal breaker would be lack of safety features, poor power, or bad fuel economy... or lack of seat comfort. That's where my lines in the sand are. Rest, while we all have different boundaries, thanks for sharing. Carl and I just - I guess - don't see the big deal.
The Fusion Hybrid Nav and LCD center console are very nice. Very high resolution and bright colors. It has a lot of useful info (e.g. automatic trip summary with fuel consumption in gallons, ICE rpm, etc.). It comes with a Hard Drive to convert your CD to MP3s and can even store pictures. Might be an option for you.
This is so typical of Japanese marketing, whether it's cars or electronics. As a design matures and goes into further generations, they tend to "decontent" the product. I have never understood why. Content in Japanese cars seemed to reach their height in the 1980's. One thing I like about my '06 Prius is the nice display screen and back-up camera. Now I believe you have to get NAV to get the camera. Typical.
I'm not sure why do many are dissing the 2010 Nav resolution. It looks as crisp as the Nav on our 2008. The HSI is a total different style. Some screens are a bit washed out in bright sun, but that's not much different than the genII.
I certainly won't notice any difference because I have never owned a Prius before. In addition, it certainly wouldn't be a deal breaker for me! Scott
You might want to put your glasses on. There is a significant difference in screen resolution. I usually notice these things first but the better half saw it and she pointed it out to me. I do hope Toyota goes back to a higher resolution screen, as they did with the previous generation. Also, I could live with the HSI screen if both sides of that instrument cluster were the same. The left side with the speedometer is crisp and clear and the right side with the hybrid info is rather washed out and fuzzy. Oh and malibucarl, there was no need to be insultive in an open forum. I didn't personally attack you here!
Just went out to the garage to check mine. Yes the "left" side of the MID has a very sharp resolution. The right HSI is definitely not as sharp pixel-wise. Yes, it would be very good to have a sharper image (is that registered?). And no idea why Toyota engineers designed it as that - must be some reason --- anybody know? Would also appreciate more color differentiation in the HSI too. Not a deal-breaker for me...
Don't get NAV, problem solved. I was very unimpressed with the NAV system, it seemed very dated. The UI was horrible. MY $200 tomtom kicks its nice person.
The two screens in the instrument cluster are different technologies, they're obviously going to look different. Personally I'll take a car I can sit in for more than 20 minutes without my leg going numb and my back in agony, and a car I can relax in when I drive on the highway instead of constantly trying to keep the Prius going in a straight line if there is *any* wind. Who cares if the nav screen is a little lower resolution...the car is so much better in every other way.
I have the 04 Prius with Nav and all the goodies, the Nav doesn't look that good imho, but functional. I recently checked out the 2010 Prius, I was impressed, however, the one I looked at didn't have a Nav for me to see. After reading this thread, it reminded me about my search for the Lexus GS300/350. The 2006 model was nice, but when they released the 2007 GS350, they installed a better Nav unit. Keep in mind that several, if not all Lexus/Toyota cars have upgraded their Nav in 2006, they didn't do it for the GS300. I think it sucks, but its marketing if they put it all out now, they have nothing new to release for 2011. Unfortunate, but I will be holding off my purchase for the new Prius because of this or until people start building custom in-dash nav mounts, there are alot of awesome double din decks out there.
In Canada at least you get the backup camera with a display in your rearview mirror if you don't get NAV.
I guess if the only faults he can find are screen resolutions (and frankly it's still better than our 04-05 resolution), then Toyota must be doing a damn fine job. Gen 2 owners had bigger complaints (like the seat).
You can buy this in the aftermarket. You just have to google it. Probably cheaper than buying it through Toyota anyway.
If the guy doesn't like the resolution then he doesn't like it. No biggie. I don't see why we should flame him for it. I thought part of the display was rather bland myself anthough it was not a deal breaker for me. Well, assuming I could afford one right now. lol
The biggest deal breaker for me is that Toyota dealers are trying to steal from their customers by adding market value fees. The new car is great but if I owned a good running gen 2 Prius, I would not get the 2010.
