Gen 3 Vs Gen 2 Opinion

[sjrainsford]

Hi all!

Took my Gen 2 in for it's 50k service the other day and ordered a courtesy car. I also spoke to sales asking if I could get a test drive in a Gen 3 and the Auris HSD. When I got there the guy said the Gen 3 wasn't busy, so I could just have it for the day instead of the courtesy car which was good!

I landed a T Spirit with leather in Silver. Have to say, I'm still not sure about silver on the Prius - it really clashes with those back lights.

My usage of the car meant I clocked up 80 mile in the day so enough to get a half decent opinion, and I must say I wasn't as impressed as I thought I was going to be!

However, it's not to say I didn't like the car as I really did. And as soon as I can upgrade with my current monthly budget then I will. Most of all I think I was expecting it to feel much quicker and it just doesn't. In fact it didn't feel any different to my Gen 2. Maybe it just needed running in more. The fuel consumption was the same as my Gen 2 but I was giving the Gen 3 quite a bit of stick at times, so that tells me that under normal conditions it would be better which is good.

Considering it had the 17" wheels I was impressed with the noise insulation. Much better than my Gen 2. In fact getting back into my Gen 2 made me realised how much they've refined the Gen 3. The interior was nice if a little bit over plastic, but generally I really like the look of the big dashboard. I really liked the stereo though with the bluetooth streaming. Once paired with my phone it was great and after a little play with the tone settings I found the sound to be very acceptable. I'm guessing the JBL system is now an option as I couldn't see any mention of it. So if this is the case then the standard set up sounds better than that on my Gen 2 with JBL. I added a JBL subwoofer to my Gen 2 system, but not sure I'd bother on a Gen 3.

They didn't have an Auris for me to try, but he did mention something about the revised version next year getting a bigger boot as they're moving the batteries from the boot to the centre console area which I think is a much needed idea. There was one in the show room, but I'm not even going to bother with one. I just don't think it's special enough inside considering the tech packed underneath. However it is a good was of attracting people to the tech who otherwise may be put off by the spaceship style look of the Prius dash. But for me who is a tech junkie, I love the extra screens etc.

So to conclude, I will be upgrading to a Gen 3 when I can but I still love my Gen 2 with my audio upgrade and sound deadening in the doors. Perhaps some 17" wheels would make it look nicer? So all in all the Gen 3 is just an evolution of the Gen 2.

[kithmo]

Considering it had the 17" wheels I was impressed with the noise insulation. Much better than my Gen 2. In fact getting back into my Gen 2 made me realised how much they've refined the Gen 3. The interior was nice if a little bit over plastic, but generally I really like the look of the big dashboard. I really liked the stereo though with the bluetooth streaming. Once paired with my phone it was great and after a little play with the tone settings I found the sound to be very acceptable. I'm guessing the JBL system is now an option as I couldn't see any mention of it. So if this is the case then the standard set up sounds better than that on my Gen 2 with JBL. I added a JBL subwoofer to my Gen 2 system, but not sure I'd bother on a Gen 3.

SWMBO has a Gen2 T4 with the JBL upgrade and subwoofer. I have a bog standard Gen3 T-Spirit.

I must say I found exactly the opposite to what you say on two counts. Her Gen2 has far less road noise and the Stereo sounds way better than my Gen3.

[Sagitar]

An interesting comparison. Thank you.

If I were buying the Gen3 TSpirit again, I would seriously consider having the 15" wheels rather than the 17". I use 15s in the winter and find they give a more comfortable ride. I think the low profile tyres on the 17" wheels are no more than a fashionable affectation and the 195/65 tyres on the 15" wheels are just more practical. They are, for example, much more difficult to kerb and they don't cost as much.

The only down side is the poor appearance of the OEM 15" wheels with the plastics covers.

[timberwolf]

An interesting comparison. Thank you.

If I were buying the Gen3 TSpirit again, I would seriously consider having the 15" wheels rather than the 17". I use 15s in the winter and find they give a more comfortable ride. I think the low profile tyres on the 17" wheels are no more than a fashionable affectation and the 195/65 tyres on the 15" wheels are just more practical. They are, for example, much more difficult to kerb and they don't cost as much.

The only down side is the poor appearance of the OEM 15" wheels with the plastics covers.

Is there a choice from the Toyota dealer? I certainly think that there should be.

I'm probably one of the few who after agreeing with all the practical reasons, I have to say that I don't actually like the look of the low profile tyres. I think they only look good on a few cars e.g some mainstream coupe (spelling) styles can pull it off, but on most cars it is just a an expensive way to dress up a dogs dinner of a design! :)

[r04drunner1]

It's a case of "beauty is in the eye of the beholder" I think. Personally, I much prefer the 17" alloy wheels on my T4 than the 15" normal I could have had if I'd taken the cheaper T3 option. I know "What Car" recommended getting the T3 because they said it is better value for money than the T4... but the little extras I got on the T4 (like the alloy wheels and the nicer steering wheel) counted for a lot in my evaluation process before I signed on the dotted line.

[johalareewi]

but the little extras I got on the T4 (like the alloy wheels and the nicer steering wheel) counted for a lot in my evaluation process before I signed on the dotted line.

But strangely, the T3 has alloy wheels behind those plastic covers.

For me the T3 had everything I needed so paying more for the T4 extras didn't appeal. YMMV

[timberwolf]

The plastic possibly helps to protect the alloys. I think Toyota used to have a corrosion problem with their alloys.

[sjrainsford]

Well, my other half has told me she really liked it and feels that we should upgrade as soon as we can for my current monthly payment or there about.

So who am I to argue?

[r04drunner1]

For me the T3 had everything I needed so paying more for the T4 extras didn't appeal. YMMV

Yup - for me, as well as the aforementioned steering wheel (nicer to hold) and the alloy rims (nicer to behold), bluetooth on the T4 was a big plus as well. Much better than the standard fit company Parrot kit. But I totally get the better VFM proposition of the T3 especially if buying privately.