If I could change one thing about the Prius it would be.....

The U.S. Model has the same wiper linkage.

 

My 07 package 6 has them. Turns on with the rear window defogger

Icarus

 

It might have been a UK model I saw didn't have this feature.

 

Yeah, it's not like the UK is ever cold or damp and would require heated mirrors and there are lots of other things that we cannot have like: HIDs and auto dipping rear view mirror to name just 2.

 

It does not change angles, it darkens, hence auto dimming.

 

I dont think i saw this anywhere, but how about pull out sun visors to cover that open area when the sun is blasting in the drivers window near the back!
Also how about some re design so when you roll down the front windows at anything above 25 mph your ears dont start bleeding from the wind buffeting.

 

I haven't driven with the windows down since last fall! But I think I remember what you mean. I've had other cars with the same buffeting. It would be nice to have a sun roof, crack it open and no amount of window opening causes buffeting.

 

I'll drive at up to 60km/h (about 40mph) with windows down no problem but over that I believe increased drag exceeds AC losses so I wind the windows up as it gets loud and put the AC on. I think the priority was reducing drag to the lowest of any 4 door car in the world today.

 

Availability of heated seats. Gets pretty cold up here in Michigan this time of year.

 

A better FM Radio, the oem radio reception sucks, I have hard time tuning to stations, that I could enjoy in my minivan. Its hard to believe a car so advance is tech and cost over 24k lack a good radio.

 

I'm going to chime in again (mentioned DRL's a few pages back) and add one addition: larger gas tank (15 gal?). I know the extra weight would entail a slight mpg hit, but considering the "accuracy" of the gas gauge, it would be nice not to fill up so often (I do a long commute every day).

 

Here are a few things I'd change...

I still can't get used to the backup camera, but I've always liked having sensors...so I'd prefer to have sensors.

Seat warmers...at least having them in the front...ideally in backseat too.

Steering wheel heater.

 

Seriously, get sheep skin seat covers. They are never too cold or too hot.
Sheepskin Tailored Car / Truck Seat Covers
I should add, if you contact the above link and he hasn't a template for Prius, he is literally around the corner from me so I can take my car to him to be measured if you want. I already have sheep skin on my seats but not as good as the wool shed. If my seat covers wear out I will buy replacements from the Wool Shed because they are top quality and will last the life of the car.
He will ship anywhere in the world too.

 

I agree. But then I live in the Seattle area.

 

It very feebly gets less bright. I would NEVER say that it darkens.

 

That's called A/C.

 

Minor: I would make window tinting, and better (all weather) tires an upgrade option when buying.

Major: I would like a "smarter" cruise control that takes advantage of warp stealth, and Super Highway mode when applicable. Though I don't know how this would work since the car can't see the upcoming terrain, and technically if it allowed the speed to change it would be different than cruise control. But, hey that's what I want!

 

I would like the cruise control to more aggressively control speed on a descent using regen braking to eliminate the need to use the brakes to control speed manually.

 

A manual transmission option. I HATE that it's a auto only. If they could do it for the Insight, Toyota should be able to do it for the Prius. Though I guess by the fact that I'm the only one who said it that they did their market analysis well...

 

Please read up on how the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive [HSD] works... you'll quickly see that a manual transmission is not possible. Well, I guess you could fake one, but why?

The Honda IMA system on the other hand works just fine with or without an automatic/manual transmission.