When people talk about the Volt or the Leaf, there seems to be non-trivial differences depending on the model year. Like battery size, charger rate, charging algorithms (like maximum SOC), and such. Are there any known such differences among the 2012, 2013, and 2014 PiPs, or are the three identical down to the part numbers, differing only in the year label? The only thing I can think of is the Technology Package in the 2014 Advanced which was an inseparable part of the 2012 and 2013 Advanced.
2013 Advanced is a carryover from 2012 Advanced. 2014 Advanced models had reduced content that could be added back with the technology package (LED headlights, headlight washers, fog lights, dynamic cruise control, pre-collision system) to match the 2013 Advanced's content. 2014 base models were identical to 2013 and 2012 base models.
But can't you update to the newest Entune version regardless of the model year? I was looking for something that is different at the hardware level, as seems to be the case for the Volt and Leaf. So far, the only thing that has come up is "de-contenting" the Advanced to break out the Technology Package as an option.
i think if they changed something, we would have heard about it. i don't think toy makes year over year efficiency upgrades like they do with lexus.
My 2012 pip/Advanced has a spot for lane keep assist on the wheel, but does not have it. Don't know why, thought the advanceds were supposed to have everything.
My 2012 doesn't have the jewel eye headlights, but the inside is bluish tinted as opposed to the chrome inside of the non-PiP. The jewel eye came later than mine.
I think the PiP prototype had LKA, but it was dropped in the production model, and is not available on any PiP. On the Advanced, there is a blank switch underneath the control for the desired distance for the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. I've wondered what that blank switch was originally intended for....
I was referring to the blank switch on the steering wheel under the DRCC switch. If this is not what was being discussed in the context of the MIA Lane Keep Assist functionality, sorry for the confusion.
There are structural differences for the 2014 model year. Toyota made structural changes to the front of the car to improved the performance of the car during a small overlap crash. They also changed the design of the side curtain airbags; they were lengthen to provide better protection during this type of collision. The new curtains will reach all the way to the A-pillar. This changes took place on all Prii built since November, 2013 according to iihs.org.
