"I will be disappointed if the '09 Prius doesn't have...."

I think you may have misread those posts. It's the problem with the way the thread title/sentence was phrased. So people answer with a double negative, triple negative, positive, rephrased sentence, etc. It can be confusiating! I haven't read anywhere in this forum that people want the Prius to go back to being a 4 door sedan. The Gen II Prius seems to have convinced a lot of its buyers (especially American buyers) of the virtues of hatchbacks and wagons.

 

Temperature gauge.

would be nice if would also tell me the current interior temp on the mfd as well as exterior temp.

 

ok this does not refer to anyone who posted after you did. but, i did not see anyone who did not want the hatchback. a few said they would be disappointed if the Pri DID NOT have the hatchback, and i would be one as well since i always felt the hatchback was a better use of space than a trunk.

as far as disappointment, if its not plug in with a 20 mile range i am disappointed. period... so i guess... oh well

 

A disintegration ray mounted on the hood.

 

1. Better mpg (25%)
2. Better safety equipment (active headrests)
3. More comfortable front seats.

I would trade in my current one immediately if the new Prius had those three things. However, I don't think Item 1 will be availible until they put in the Li-Ion batteries, and I don't think that will happen for a few more years.

 

1. Ejector seat.
2. Laser beam fog lamps.
3. Ability to travel underwater.

Actually I'd be pretty good with better iPod integration (like Microsoft Sync), better usability for the MFD/voice commands (like Microsoft Sync) and plug-in capabilities.

 

Ditto. The hatchback design and fold down seats was a major differentiating factor in our purchase. Both my wife and I thought this was an important feature.

I see some very good lists here. This is my list:
1) Height Adjustable driver seat.
2) More comfortable drivers seat. It isn't too bad but could use lumbar support.
3) Head rest is too far forward. It gives me a neck ache so I reversed it. I'm sure it is less safe in that position.
4) Bar graph and engine/mg display combined. I'm always switching between these two.
5) Telescoping steering wheel.
6) Door handle unlocks on rear doors. First thing I do when going to my car is throw my computer bag in the back seat.
7) Plug-in with 25 mile EV range.

This IS my must have list to switch from my new 2008 to a 2009. The key feature being the plug-in. I won't switch away from my 2008 unless the next car is a plug-in.

jd

 

A lack of tilt/telescopic steering wheel and a failure to make the seats more adjustable for taller drivers would be a major disappointment. The only thing I really care about beyond that is that the mileage is at least an incremental improvement above the current model, and that the degree of driver control over the drivetrain (read: ability to glide at will) is at least as good as the current model. I keep having these nightmares (figuratively) that they have done something to prevent P&G, which would totally eliminate any incentive for me to upgrade.

 

... a SUNROOF!

 

Automatic head lamp & DRL.

and someone else said: "if i leave a door adjar, tell me which *!@#*!@# door it is"!!

 

I like the ejection seat idea. Make that four! They could be installed in lieu of the airbags. Of course the seats would have to eject before the imminent collision. If they were to eject after the car had begun a rollover, then who knows where you'll be thrown!

You forgot floating seat cushions!

 

I would be disappointed if all/most of the changes listed in this thread are incoporated in the next Prius and as a result requiring large increases to the base price and option packages.

I am sure that Toyota will incorporate some of these into the new Prius due to the advances in technology over the recent years.

But what if Toyota were to take some of these wants/wishes such as:
Six way adjustable power heated seats
Tilt/Telescoping steering wheel
Higher quality interior
Sun/moon roof
Adustable ride
etc.

Rebadged the Prius as a Lexus with some minor exterior changes with the corresponding Lexus price tag and left the Toyota Prius as a basic entry level Hybrid. Would you upgrade to the Lexus Prius?

 

Good list, I especially agree with the door handle sensors on the rear doors and the combined bar graph / energy flow displays.

Here's my list:

1. I would like to see modifications to computer system to allow the user easy access to more information. With all the computing in the background that the Prius does, there is a plethora of information that a good percentage of Prius owners would like to have. It seems most people in this forum and even people I've met with Priuses seem to be tech-savvy. To them, the Prius is more than a vehicle to get from A to B. To satisfy the nerds and electro-mechanics in us, it would be nice to have all the information that would be available via an OBDII-reading device display on the built-in LCD screen, with great menu screens and graphs. If Toyota must squeeze every last bit of profit out of something like this, then offer it as an "extra" for a couple hundred dollars. I guarantee there will be takers.

2. Normal-sized spare tire.

3. Rear hatch without an interrupted window. You all know what I'm talking about if you look in the rear-view mirror. With the advances in materials these days, I'm sure Toyota could manufacture a strong and solid piece of transparent polycarbonate/glass with the same "hatch shape" and do away with the cross bar.

4. Fix the gas nozzle shutoff problem many have experienced with this gas tank bladder.

5. A rear window wiper that sweeps more than a token 1/4 of the window area. It's pretty pathetic how small an area it sweeps!

6. Hey, since it's a "technology car": how about three rear-view cameras! Leave the one in the middle for "reverse". Add two more cameras to look at the left and right rear quadrants to display the blind-spot when changing lanes. This could be done when the computer senses a turn signal in combination with the car's speed above some threshold. See attachment with example from the Aptera electric vehicle. Actually, the Aptera uses multiple cameras / multiple displays as a substitute for the left and right side mirrors (lessens wind drag). This should be replicated in the Prius to increase fuel economy.

7. More than 12 FM presets. Improved presentation of the station identifier and song data. What's with the scrolling "we'll show you only 15 letters" b.s.? Is that a Radio Shack TRS-80?

8. Collision-avoidance radar, like your luxury European cars are starting to include.

9. EV mode.

10. Solar panels. I know that they would hardly make a difference in the MPG, but how about using their paltry 50 watts (or so) to power the cabin recirc fan in low speed to force outside air through the car on hot sunny days? I think this would be much more effective than those cheap after-market fans you put in your door window.

11. Mud flaps.

 

Power Seats
25% + better fuel economy
Modified design to prevent the night time windshield glare from the LCD display
Something less cheap looking than the textured plastic on the dash to prevent the scuff marks from showing so much.
A reasonable place for a trash container to go!
I would really love real time GPS that lets you know where the traffic jams are and how to get around them. I would love the DASH service included.

 

It is already there. It is called the Maintenance Required light. Any reasonable person would take care of it ASAP without having to know how much oil is left. I personally don't care what maintenance is needed, just appreciate the reminder.