Is there any difference between the Prius II and III other than the second option of the radio and bluetooth standard? I would like the second upgrade of stereo because of the extra speakers and just that I like listening to music when I drive. Just wondering if the Prius III had any other standard options the II doesn't. Also, do all the models of Prius have the auto light shut off feature when you turn the car off? Do they come on when it gets dark?
That's all that's listed on any data I've seen: Prius Model 1225 – JBL AM/FM/CD changer with integrated XM satellite radio, MP3/WMA playback capability, hands-free phone capability via Bluetooth® wireless technology and eight speakers Auto Lights: In the US no auto-on or DRL (unless it's a state mandate). The auto off turns them off when you power off the car, and they come back on when you restart.
Upgraded stereo with bluetooth is the only base difference. NAV and the solar roof are available options for the III but no the II. Toyota Prius Hybrid - 2010 Models: Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV, Prius V
I got the III because the price increase was relatively small, the stereo sounds better (does the II include a 6-disc changer?), and the bluetooth is VERY convenient. Note that the bluetooth included with the III is not as fancy as that included with the Nav package. It does not allow the download of contacts from your address book, for example. It provides the basic functionality with the phone, you can dial voice by number, etc, which is fine for me.
I have a three without NAV and you can indeed dump your cell phone contacts in. Go to Phonebook, Add Entry, By Phone. Then you send the data from your phone. It comes in and asks you to pronounce the name. This is all in the manual. See, you are better off than you thought.
Good news! Now that you mention it, I think what was being described is that on the Nav, you can drop your entire phonebook into it at once, via bluetooth. Sounds like the non-Nav is a one-at-a-time process, but still better than manually putting in numbers. I'm hoping that once the iPhone 3.1 update comes out and it allows voice control via bluetooth, it will work with the III bluetooth. I'd just as soon not maintain numbers in the car and in the phone if it's not a very quick "sync everything" kind of deal.
'Bonus' is subjective. I have no plans on maintaining a XM subscription since my driving patterns are not long enough to make XM worthwhile. I know others have different preferences, but I have a bunch of $$$ sitting there idle and stranded. Pretty much ditto for the 6 CD changer. CD's are on the way out to begin with and an iPod is far more portable. If I had my way, they could dump the XM and the CD's and put in a proper iPod interface and/or HD radio. But I am sure they found the masses are happier with things the way they are. (And subcription-less HD radio is probably not coming to Toyota and making deals the way the sattelite companies do.)
I don't know if this varies by phone, but on my LG, I go to the BT menu and select Send Name Card. And then I can check off as many names as I like in the contact list. Could/Should be simpler, but at least it doesn't totally suck. Pass through would be nice where it would just access the cell phone phonebook to dial by name rather than keeping a second copy.
The phone book option dies vary a LOT by phone. I have a Motorola RazR and it's not much good on the non-NAV phonebook but fine for connect and operation. I have a Lexus with NAV and the Motorolas are limited regarding the phone book with that, as well.
Drop the Toyoguard option for $700. and the two cars are about the same price if you are considering adding the Bluetooth to a Prius II. I bought the II, if I could do it over, I would definitely get the III. No Steering wheel controls for the phone on a II.
I'm seriously trying to decide whether to go with the II or III. The radio upgrade is a non-issue. I don't listen to too much radio and when I do, it's talk. As far as music, I can fill up a WMA CD and get a couple hours' worth happily. So it seems to come down to bluetooth on the steering wheel or hidden. Unless one of you is willing to say that the quality is better on one or the other... Bluetooth is pretty important, because Southern California has a handsfree law and I've found that a bluetooth headset left in the SoCal heat quickly ends up with a dead battery.
I just decided to get the III over the II, for several reasons. 1) The stereo sounds much better, IMHO. 2) you can get nav, which I did, 3)steering wheel controls I agree with iPods that cd changers and sat radio are not worth it. However, sat radio with nav system gives you traffic info, and I find that useful in my neck of the woods (SF bay area)/
Listen to Wolfta. I would definitely have bought the III over the II if I could do it over. Drop the $700 Toyoguard and they are basically the same price (If you are comparing a II with Toyoguard I guess...)
Ever 2010 Prius II I've looked at over the past month or more has Bluetooth already included as a non-optional option(for only $299). I'm guessing this is because of CA hands-free laws. The Bluetooth is a button next to the steering column on the bottom of the dash, and a little mounted microphone. Haven't tried anything but connecting to it as of yet, but the little Toyota manual for it claims it will stream tunes. So - given that you have to pay the extra $299 in CA for Bluetooth - it makes the price of the 8 speaker/6 CD changer stereo essentially $700 (The Bluetooth implementation in the III is different then this little gizmo in the II)
Nope. I doubt a CD changer and some extra speakers and an amp will make a difference. The big difference (big being relative) is btwn a II/III/IV and a V because of the larger wheel + tyre combo.
Hi I'm new here but what exactly is Toyoguard? I too am trying to decide on a II vs III while bluetooth is great to have- not sure it worth the extra $500+ on a 3 year lease for it. Lake Prius- while shopping in SoCal for my Prius I haven't seen this extra bluetooth in any of the IIs I've seen.
