didnt have NAV on the SPM so dont have a comparison, but still think the backup camera view is brighter and clearer on the 2010. better night vision as well. as far as resolution of the Nav; ya i think the text could be sharper and more street names at higher screen densities would be nice... but its functional. not quite sure i would discount the entire car for that though. it is still a major improvement over the classics
Do we have some actual owner pics of the new MFD screen on the 2010? I saw the pics from toyota and just figured the square button, 1994-ish windows 3.1 looking display was just part of an early version of the software on the car and not the actual finished product. Is this not so? I have seen the MFD display on the 2004 and 2005 Prius when I test drove one and was rather unimpressed, however, I love the display on my 2006...
Wow, no need to flame him for an opinion. I agree that the "crispness" of the gauges is lacking. When I'm trying to hypermile, I have trouble seeing the little arrows that indicate where the power is coming from or going to. Especially the ICE arrows.
All aftermarket NAV systems are better than factory units, I thought this already common knowledge. But some people prefer the factory look.
Obviously. But there was no reason for the cheaper and most likely less expensive screen, in such a good vehicle.
My guess is that Toyota's engineers read some of the complaints that the MFD in Gen II was too distracting and hence, unsafe. It can be distracting... but so far, so good!
You're in Jersey so you're close enough to Fitzmall to travel a little way. They are discounting theirs $500. And I'm sure you can hop over into PA and find MSRP deals.
Any side-by-side pictures available? Frankly I kind of agree that if THIS was the deal breaker for you, you probably don't want a prius anyway, but I am curious to see the difference.
I too was dissapointed with the NAV. 2D pixelated display is quite out of place for 2010. Even in Japan the Prius comes with a hi-resolution 3D NAV. So... I simply didn't bother getting the NAV. Instead I'm waiting for TomTom for iPhone to be released. Simple.
As an aspiring (some day) owner of a new Prius, this issue of the quality of the NAV screen is disconcerting, to say the least. Thanks for posting this information for those of us who have not seen it yet. It is helpful.
I'm sure price was an issue as well as weight (for fuel economy) and space. This car's primary reason for even being built on this planet is NOT for technology, but fuel economy. Technology has been included due to the popularity of it. I completely understand your take on not being able to have the AT and solar...I'm not sure why the separation either but I'm sure it's worthy. As I said it's probably due to cost. Not worth the hassle if only 1% have enough money for it...or would be willing to upgrade to that price point. As for the screen resolution. Wow. You must have all HDTV's in your house! All at least 56" 120hz 4ms and 1080P of course. Otherwise why would you accept anything else if one TV in your bedroom isn't just as perfect resolution as your primarty TV? **That sounds stupid right? That's how some of us think about why such the concern over mild difference in screen resolution in a car which you're not even supposed to look at that often while driving. I'm sure we all understand your thoughts about it but just not to the point of it being a deal breaker. Odd.
REST - read your OP and i agree! i have to be honest and say that i didn't pay too much attention to the resolution of the screen, but the dash on my friends 2010 didnt impress me too much. it's hard to read sitting still, i can imagine when im' driving. someone told you to go to a corvette board and then someone else told us to watch it fall apart...........BS! i love corvettes, still have them and they're doing fine. why slam corvettes? what a bunch of lame people here slamming others for their opinions. on the other side, i was told......the reason that the "tech-package" and the "sunroof/solar" can't be put together because of a weight factor and/or the combo using up too much batteries. (you figure the solar panel would be self-sufficient) but there you go, that's what i know and i hope it helps you. NEVER MIND the other BS here. Such narrow minded people.
It's all about the weakening of the dollar vs the yen. Our government is buying it's own debt now, since it can't sell it to China and Saudi Arabia. So Toyota is trying to maintain some profit on this car by decontenting it in areas where it can. Just common sense.
Hi Dianne! Just an old blast from the past, one you helped very much many years ago with my first Prius. How are you? How is your "Brady Bunch" after so many years? Mine are grown up and have flown the coop now. Loving life. I'm trying to decide which package I want and was curious to know which one you are thinking about since you are the Queen of Prius and have seen them all. Have you seen the Sandy Beige color in person yet? I had ordered a Package IV with SR in that color, but then kind of changed my mind. Not sure I want the risks that come with a sunroof. Any thoughts on that? Any advice on the big advantage of going with a package IV vs a package III (not even looking at any add ons, just comparing the two different packages). Money is tight right now, I sure can't afford what I really want....the package V with AT package Great to see your name still - you've given so much great advice to the Prius lovers for so many years. What a great lady you are! - Betsy Illidge
Flaming someone for having an opinion about this or that feature of the car is unacceptable! I agree that the 2010 is not worth the upgrade. The improvements, for me, do not justify the cost. But then, I only use my Prius for road trips now anyway. However, regarding factory NAV (in any car) I have a much bigger complaint than resolution, and that is placement. I like having my Garmin Nuvi right up on the dashboard or windshield, where I can see the map and the turns without taking my eyes off the road. Also, I can put it in whichever car I am driving, or even put it in a rental car when I travel. Rest, if you like the car otherwise, consider buying it without the NAV and getting an aftermarket GPS. You'll save money and have the other features. (Unless, like me, you just don't think the 2010 is that much better overall than your 2007.)
fyi, in Canada we get ATP + sunroof/solar. But unlike the US package V, the Canadian package does not include the "Touring" features - LED lights, 17" wheels, etc. See TOYOTA CANADA : Vehicles > 2010 Prius > Options
