Possible to get 3-door Smart Key in Prius II?

I would appreciate a confirmation of the Prius Smart Key - I vs II. So, if I understand correctly:
- Prius I - no need to remove the fob from your pocket/purse to unlock the driver's door and start the car - Right?
- And, 3-door for Prius II - unlocks the passenger front door and hatch as well.
So, it does use a proximity sensor as in some luxury makes?

I'm very seriously considering the 2010 (have a Lexus RX now). The Levels / Packages for the Prius are a bit confusing, but you folks on the board and the Prius Team sure assist newbies here.

BTW - I test drove the Insight yesterday.
Top 3 negatives - interior size - front to rear...too cramped. The dashboard...very convoluted, although the info screen for hybrid op and other data was quite good. Rear visibility...huge blind area in both rear corners, specifically due to the wide mounting piece for rear seat shoulder belt mechanism - the rear window doesn't seem to be as wide as the Prius. It drove and handled quite well, but I wasn't "into" the test drive as I had already wrote it off due to the aforementioned items.
Also stopped at the Toyota dealer - they have 13 09's on the lot. Put my name on their '10 list. Barcelona Red and bisque (unsure if leather or not). And solar roof - would be invaluable here in Florida.

Oh! the Honda dealer had leather installed in the Insight - had 3 cars in stock. The leather was a $2K charge and felt like pleather. They also plugged on Honda pinstripes and hokey mag wheels - as well as a $395 "appearance package", and more....typical. Dealer MSRP 25,650. Some sap will probably buy it...

 

3 door SKS will only be available on the 2010 Prius IV & V per this link: 2010 Prius Package Prices

 

What? You mean some 2010 Priuses will only open the driver's door with the smartkey? My 2004 has drivers, passenger, and hatchback buttons. This would really be skimping.

 

I agree. It would probably cost less to buy a Prius IV with the options than to try to install the SKS after the fact in a Prius II. It may not even be possible.

This question was posed to me before so I'd like to inquire to you as a potential buyer...'Why is the 3 door SKS important?' It's not a sarcastic reply I'm trying to understand the need.

I have a feeling that there may be a 'way around' this lack of functionality.

 

Although I'm not in the market for a 3rd gen Prius, I've been a little dismayed about the requirement of having to go w/model IV or V to get 3-door smart key.

There are a couple reasons and I do this now w/my current Prius. In all of these cases, it's nice to be able to do this WITHOUT pushing buttons on the fob AND WITHOUT going to the driver's door first (I have mine set to unlock all doors upon touching the driver's side black strip on the back of the handle):
- opening the hatch
- opening the passenger side door to retrieve something (to save wear and tear on the driver's door wiring - I had a power window quit working on my 91 Camry long ago because the driver's side power wire broke.)
- opening above door for a lady while on a date

If I had to buy a 3rd gen Prius now, I'd probably get model II or III because I don't like paying for leather and I probably won't get nav (available on model III at minimum) because the premium on factory nav systems is now way too high vs. PNDs. I also don't like paying for heated seats. (I've never owned car w/leather nor heated seats. I also think I wouldn't do a good job of taking care of leather.)

I'm guessing that Toyota wants to either upsell and/or keep down costs on the lower end models by omitting the extra antennas and wiring.

 

You know you can still press the button on the fob to unlock the doors if you want to open the left door first. Oops I mean right door.

You don't need to take the fob out of your pocket or handbag, just press the button as you approach. In some situations it's most likely easier than smart-key but not as clever.

If you need to carry something get the fob out before you go out to the car and press the middle button as you approach, that's how I do it. As I walk out of my house door to go out I press the garage door opener and the unlock button on the Prius fob, by the time I get to the garage the garage door is up and the car is still unlocked.

 

patsparks, sure, you can do that, but the 3 door SKS (I actually wish it were 5 door) was a nice convenience that was found on even the 2nd gen package #2. Also, the passenger side and hatchback opened all of the doors. Not having it on the passenger side is one thing, but on the hatchback it's really really useful.

It's skimping on Toyota's part not to have it standard on all 2010s, pure and simple, and actually a little sneaky. The 3 key SJS so high up on my list of favorite options that it might make the difference for me on whether we buy a (dramatically reduced in price, just wait!) 2009 #2 or a 2010 to replace our 2004.

 

Wait till you see the price.
Remember Toyota want to put out a competitive product, I want a low price series III Prius, if you want the added options then don't "skimp" yourself, spend the money and get the options package with 3 door SKS.
My current Prius doesn't have SKS on any doors, having it on one door and inside the car is a step up, not down for me. If you had a base model Prius now it would be the same for you.
What I would really like is a button on the fob that actually "opens" not just unlocks the hatch, that would be really handy!

 

When the current #2 Prius has 3 key SKS, it is skimping on Toyota's part not to put it on the #2 package for 2019. In other words, it was basically a standard option on all Priuses save the base package that you have. Now it's become a high end option that's only available with leather seats (which I certainly don't want).

 

As far as I know, all 2007+ Nissan Altimas have the smart key system except for the 2.5 base trim. The lowest trim that has it is the 2.5S which starts <$22K. You can also get them as part of a package on the Nissan Versa 1.8SL. From a quick look, that should run under $18K.

Neither has a touchscreen MFD though unless you get a nav system on the Altima.

 

Yes this is my option as well. I've got my 05 Prius programmed so that a touch of the driver's door unlocks all the doors including the hatch. I too think that they are cutting costs ( in order to keep the price down ) but while I love the SKS feature it doesn't matter to me if it's one door or three door.

Right now for me it's 5 door. If I was getting a 2010 then I'd program it the same as I have it now. I also think that if enough prople want a full 3 door capability that in later updates that will be included.

 

Can the "1 door" SKS on pkg #2 be programmed to unlock all 5 doors ?
Might be good enough. My wife is sold on SKS.
Carl