Is the Advanced Technology (AT) package worth it?

I really like the ACC, and the added safety of the collision avoidance. The jury is still out for me on the LKA, until I have a chance to take it on a serious road trip. Hard to believe I'll ever actually use the IPA. I own a Garmin but still prefer the integrated Nav and appreciate how much easier it makes a lot of the bluetooth, contacts, phone and other setup stuff (plus, you get a big screen & the bluetooth audio streaming). I don't regret getting the AT package, but other people might think twice about paying approximately $2,400 for the ACC, LKA and collision avoidance.

 

That's a pretty subjective question. Some one asked a similar question if the NAV was worth it. Only if you want it. Biggest bang for the buck will be the model with the least options that make you happy. If you want leather then a IV or V are the choices. Do you parallel park a lot and are you any good at it? I see this as a novelty as anyone that needs to parallel park should be able to do so with a car this small. I can squeeze my Expedition in some spots people in compact cars pass by. However if I had a bad neck or back and turning was difficult, that might be a lifesaver.

If the "buck" is something you are indeed considering in the equation then the NAV is not a good bang for the buck. Me however, I am getting one because I simply want it. That's good enough for me. The choice between the IV and the V depend on 1) if you really want the ATP and if not then 2) do you want the handling of the V with the different profile tires and tighter steering and then the LED lights.

For me, all things considered the V package is what made me lean towards finally considering a Prius at all. If I take a 1 or 2 mpg hit for that, it's really not a big deal.

Go with what you like. I'm not sure anyone here can really tell you what you like

 

As soon as I saw the incremental cost for the AT package ($2,700), it was easy to decide to "only" get a Prius V w/ nav. There wasn't anywhere near $2,700 in value for me--here's why:

I'm a very good parallel parker (having lived in Amsterdam for 2 years, where parking is at a real premium) so IPA doesn't interest me.

I almost never use cruise control (except when I first get a new car to test it). In the 4.5 years I owned my previous car, I honestly can't remember using it. So DRCC has no value for me.

LKA--I suppose there's some safety value, but, honestly, when's the last time you inadvertently drifted out of your lane? To me it's one of those electronic nannies that I really don't need.

PCS comes the closest to having value to me (really stretching here), but paying $2,700 for it didn't make sense.

 

So with DCC and LKA, theoretically you can take a nap on highway and still wake up to tell about it, right?

 

Remember that the Pre-Collision system will not prevent you from running into something like a wall or another car. It tightens the seatbelts and pressurizes the hydraulics in the brake lines, and apparently applies "some" braking, but it will not stop the car completely.

 

That's a good question, I've been pondering it for a couple of weeks now. I'm going to order a Prius V this afternoon and I'm going to get the AT Package.

I do quite a bit of highway driving so I think the DRCC and LKA will be of value. If I don't like them I can always just turn them off, I understand the DRCC can be used as a regular "old fashion" cruise control with the radar function turned off. I hope I don't ever need the pre-collision system but it will be nice to know it's there. The IPA will be of little value, about the only time I parallel park is when I go to the Sub Sandwitch shop once a month or so.

IMHO the AT package is not worth the money, but I think it will be a lot of fun so I'm going to get it anyway.

 

If you can afford it then that is the only justification that is needed.

 

What makes that really wierd to me is that my V w/Nav comes in at the same port as your car on the same ships.

 

I agree. Especially with your last two paragraphs. The V is what made me decide on a Prius as well. The extra features in the ATP are worth it to me.

 

Well, if you have the Advanced Technology (AT) package and not sure it's worth the price you paid is one thing. Another, you wish you had it but was too cheap will always haunt you. I have it and am More than happy with it.

 

That's a valid reason Hozz, I thought of that when I was trying to decide. If you don't get it when you buy the car it's to late. I am very pleased that I ordered the car with AT this afternoon.

 

I actually used DCC more often on "slower" roads, where the state speed limit is 55. Quite often you run into traffic - a slower prius, an 18 wheeler, a granny, etc. On those roads in cases where passing isn't possible, DCC is much less stressful.

We had a Sienna with Radar cruise. I used it on the highway, yes, but I found I used cruise much more often when it automatically slowed to traffic. I wouldn't dismiss it just because you wouldn't use it on the highway, there are other situations where DCC works that regular cruise does not. Just something to keep in mind.

Zhe Wiz

 

The question of whether or not an option package is "worth it" is very personal.

When I first saw the description of the new Prius, the solar moon roof and dynamic radar cruise control (DRCC) caught my eye. The solar powered fan sounded like a great idea (since I live in Austin, TX where the temperature here, in June, has been over 100 degrees for the last couple of days). The DRCC was exactly what I have wanted for years, since using cruise control to maintain a constant speed is very frustrating, with slower moving vehicles constantly cutting in and out of my lane.

Of course, there were a lot of improvements made to the car since I bought my 2004 Prius. I wanted many of them, but not enough to justify replacing my current car.

When the pricing and option packaging was announced, I was disappointed to find that I couldn't get both the solar moon roof and the DRCC. I decided that I really, REALLY wanted the DRCC, so I decided to get a Prius V with ATP.

In order to get the ATP I have to buy a whole slew of options I normally wouldn't have purchased (e.g. CD changer, navigation, leather seats, 17" wheels, LED headlights, etc.), but, it is worth it to me just to get the options I want.

The ATP includes DRCC, lane keep assist (LKA), pre-collision system (PCS), and intelligent parking assist (IPA). The DRCC was a "must have." The LKA sounds like it could be useful. I will probably never use the IPA since I haven't had to parallel park here in Austin in many years (most of the places I go have parking lots). The PCS sounds like a really great safety feature, which I hope I never use.

Overall, looking at prices, the ATP is probably not worth the money.

However, since it gives me the options I want, a lot of upgraded features I would "like to have", and options I think are "probably useful," the Prius V with ATP is worth it to me. I have one on order and am supposed to receive it within the next two weeks.

 

This is correct. We actually had a chance to use the pre-collision function at our Prius training. :rockon: We bumped into a soft, large object. It helps to lessen the impact/injury in an unavoidable collision. Basically, even if you don't touch the brakes, the car automatically brakes for you. It also tightens the seatbelts.