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Trim Level Does Not Match VIN

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Randall S, Jun 21, 2019.

  1. Randall S

    Randall S Junior Member

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    2016 Prius
    Model:
    II
    I recently purchased a used 2016 Prius II. Or at least I believed it to be a Prius II until a friend who likes the Prius brand and has significant experience with them suggested that it might be a Prius II Eco. I had expressed surprise at how much better the gas mileage was (58-60mpg) compared to the 2012 Prius II (39-43mpg) that I had just traded in. He told me to research the VIN, and see what trim level was specified. The free VIN site that I consulted listed the trim level as a IV, which the car very definitely is not (no moonroof, no Sirius XM, no navigation, no heated seats). Have other buyers experienced this?
     
    #1 Randall S, Jun 21, 2019
  2. Lightning Racer

    Lightning Racer Active Member

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    #2 Lightning Racer, Jun 21, 2019
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  3. kithmo

    kithmo Couch Potato

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    A non-Toyota, free site, is not likely to be accurate.
     
    #3 kithmo, Jun 21, 2019
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  4. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    As suggested, check your VIN at Toyota site. Additionally, I think Two Eco has no rear wiper while the rest of the trims including Two have it. Do you have rear wiper?
     
    #4 Salamander_King, Jun 21, 2019
    Raytheeagle likes this.
  5. CooCooCaChoo

    CooCooCaChoo Senior Member

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    Also the Eco has that moniker on the lower right of the hatch.
     
    #5 CooCooCaChoo, Jun 21, 2019
  6. Randall S

    Randall S Junior Member

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    Location:
    Bella Vista, Arkansas
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Thanks. You are correct. The VIN search site was not accurate. The Toyota Owner site identifies our 2016 Prius as a standard 2, apparently with VERY good gas mileage. No complaints.
     
    #6 Randall S, Jun 21, 2019
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  7. Elektroingenieur

    Elektroingenieur Senior Member

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    You can also check the model code (型式, katashiki) on the certification label, attached to the B pillar inside the left front door. For 2016, ZVW50L-AHXEBA is a Prius Two and ZVW51L-AHXBBA is a Prius Two Eco; see my previous posting for the other grades. The roman numerals, by the way, were not used in model year 2011 and later, presumably to avoid confusion with the Prius v.
    That’s usually a reliable source, though some Toyota vehicles sold in the U.S. and its territories are not listed.
     
    #7 Elektroingenieur, Jun 21, 2019
  8. Randall S

    Randall S Junior Member

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    II
    You were right Kithmo. By the way, I am part of a Facebook group devoted to chat about television and film called The Couch Potato Army. I couldn't help but notice you identify yourself as Couch Potato!
     
    #8 Randall S, Jun 22, 2019
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  9. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    Don't go by what the car says. You need to log receipts for a year to see how your millage varies with seasons.
     
    #9 goldfinger, Jun 22, 2019
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  10. MalachyNG

    MalachyNG Active Member

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    I learned to put the VIN into the toyota owners site when I was looking for a used gen 4. I scheduled test drives at a few dealers that listed Fours on their sites but when I got in the cars I realized they weren't. First happened at Jeep dealer so I figured they might not be familiar with a prius. But then it happened to me at 2 different Toyota dealers so I started plugging VINs into the owners site before showing up for test drives.

    Gas mileage on the screens isn't as accurate but it's about as inaccurate as my 2013 was and my 2016 is getting much better MPG. I was getting low and mid 40s in the 2013, now I'm in the 50s. 50 mile commute on a 70mph highway isn't the best for MPG I guess but even doing the math by hand I'm getting at least 50mpg.
     
    #10 MalachyNG, Jun 23, 2019
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