Features Comparison: Toyota Solara vs. Toyota Prius
Model Year
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
2008
Model
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Solara
Prius
Prius
Prius
Trim
SE
SE V6
Sport
Sport V6
SLE
SLE V6
Standard
Base
Touring
Engines
2.4L I4 DOHC-4v 155 hp@6000 158 lb-ft@4000
3.3L V6 DOHC-4v 210 hp@5600 220 lb-ft@3600
1.8L I4 Hybrid DOHC-4v 98 hp@5200 105 lb-ft@3600
Transmissions
5-speed manual
5-speed manually-shiftable automatic
CVT
Drivetrains
FWD
Tires
215/60VR16 tires
215/55VR17 tires
185/65R15 tires
195/55R16 tires
Audio Systems
Unbranded, 6 speakers
JBL, 270W, 8 speakers
JBL, 9 speakers
Accessories
Cruise control
First-aid kit
Power front side windowsOften must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Often must be ordered with power rear side windows, if these are available.
Power locks
Power rear side windows
Proximity keyEnter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.
Enter and start the vehicle without removing the key from your pocket.
Remote keyless entryUnlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Unlock and lock the car using buttons on the keyfob.
Roadside emergency kit
Tilt steering wheel, manual
Tilt/telescoping steering wheel, manual
Universal garage door openerHomelink.
Homelink.
Brakes, Airbags, and Other Safety
4-wheel disc brakesRear disc brakes.
Rear disc brakes.
AlarmOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Antilock brakes (ABS)Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Automatically pulse the brakes in hard stops to prevent wheels from locking up, making it possible to brake and steer at the same time.
Brake assistWhen a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
When a panic stop is sensed, fully applies the brakes.
Front airbagsMandatory, in all cars.
Mandatory, in all cars.
Rearview cameraRearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.
Rearview camera connected to display screen on the instrument panel. Often requires navigation system.
Side curtain airbagsAirbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Airbags contained just above the window level. Except in cars without a rear seat usually cover first and second row.
Stability controlSelectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Selectively applies the brakes to prevent excessive understeer or oversteer (spinning).
Temporary spare tire
Tire-pressure monitorTwo types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Two types: a warning light when a tire is low on air and a pressure readout for each tire.
Traction controlWhen a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
When a drive wheel slips, it is braked and/or engine power is reduced, restoring traction.
Cargo Management
Cargo cover
Cargo mat
Cargo net
Console with shifter
Console without shifter
Overhead sunglass holderUsually part of an overhead console.
Usually part of an overhead console.
Climate Control
Air conditioning
Automatic climate control, frontMaintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Maintains set temperature in front row. Requires air conditioning and does not include its value.
Interior air filterFilters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Filters exterior air before it enters the passenger compartment. No default value because most cars have them, even in cases where they're not in the official list of features.
Rear air ventsVents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Vents at aft end of center console, in B-pillars, and/or in ceiling.
Rear defrost
Rear heat ductsDucts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Ducts under front seats direct heated air to the second row.
Rear wiper
Variable intermittent wipersTime between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Time between wipes can be precisely adjusted.
Exterior
Body kitSide skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Side skirts and possibly a front air dam and rear apron.
Bright-finished exhaust tip(s)Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Increasingly often these are not actually connected to the exhaust.
Larger rear spoilerOnly listed if a second, smaller spoiler is also standard or optional. No additional value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if a second, smaller spoiler is also standard or optional. No additional value because no way to compare across models.
Pearlcoat paint
Rear bumper protector
Rear spoilerCan be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Can be small lip spoiler or a larger raised spoiler.
Sunroof
Gas Guzzler Tax
-3150
Infotainment
Audio controls on steering wheel
Aux inputJack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Jack for an iPod or similar device. No value because of incomplete data. Will soon be standard on nearly every car.
Bluetooth cell phone linkEnables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
Enables hands-free communication by wirelessly connecting a cell phone to a microphone and the vehicle's stereo speakers.
CD changer, in-dashIncludes CD player.
Includes CD player.
CD player
MP3-compatible playerAudio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Audio system capable of playing discs with MP3 files.
Navigation systemScreen-based navigation system.
Screen-based navigation system.
Satellite radioXM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
XM or Sirius. Includes a subscription for three to six months, after which monthly fees apply.
Voice control for nav and audioSometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.
Sometimes also includes voice control over climate control system.
Instruments, Lights, and Mirrors
Auto-dimming driver-side mirrorDriver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Driver-side exterior mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Auto-dimming rearview mirrorInterior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Interior rearview mirror automatically dims when hit by headlights of following vehicle.
Automatic headlightsHeadlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
Headlights automatically turn on and off. Includes value of automatic-off headlights.
CompassWe haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
We haven't given this feature a value because it's hard to tell which cars have it.
Digital instruments
Fog lightsLight wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Light wide area close in front of the vehicle.
Heated mirrorsClears ice and fog from mirrors.
Clears ice and fog from mirrors.
Illuminated visor mirror, driverIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Illuminated visor mirror, passengerIncludes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Includes value of non-illuminated vanity mirror.
Large energy flow and fuel economy displayStandard or optional in some hybrid vehicles. Fancy display of power flows, enhanced trip computer information.
Standard or optional in some hybrid vehicles. Fancy display of power flows, enhanced trip computer information.
Map lightsFront row reading lights.
Front row reading lights.
Outside temperature display
Power mirrorsIncludes value of manual remote mirrors.
Includes value of manual remote mirrors.
TachometerReports engine speed.
Reports engine speed.
Trip computerReports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Reports average fuel economy, and perhaps also instantaneous fuel economy, distance to empty, average speed, and other stats.
Xenon HID headlightsProvide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Provide a brighter, whiter light than halogen headlights.
Seats and Interior Trim
Front buckets
Second-row 2-section 3-person split bench
Center armrest(s), front row
Center armrest(s), second row
Floor mats
Folding second row seatsSeat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Seat folds to enlarge cargo area. Unless the seat is also removable, it usually folds flat or nearly flat.
Heated front seats
Leather seating surfacesSeating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Seating surfaces are trimmed in leather; other upholstery tends to be leatherette.
Leather-wrapped steering wheel
Manual height adjuster, driver seat
Manual tilt adjuster, driver seatManually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Manually tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Metal pedals
Power fore-aft adjuster, driver seat
Power height adjuster, driver seat
Power lumbar adjuster, driver seatPower-adjustable lower back support.
Power-adjustable lower back support.
Power recliner, driver seat
Power tilt adjuster, driver seatPower tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Power tilting seat cushion; can take the form of a second height adjustment.
Suspension, Wheels, and Tires
Alloy wheels
Sport suspension (upgrade)Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Only listed if not standard on all trims. No value because no way to compare across models.
Wheel locksLug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.
Lug nuts that can only be removed using a special key. Prevents theft of wheels.
Transmission
Transmission coolerOnly listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
Only listed when pricing a single model because insufficient data for all cars.
The Toyota Solara SLE is much better equipped than the Pontiac G6 GT. The Toyota has heated leather seats, automatic climate control, HID projector low beams and a 6-disc MP3/WMA-compatible CD changer.
see full Toyota Solara review
2008 Toyota Solara Available Features: Cons
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2007
2dr Coupe 210-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
Nothing - has everything I want. Please see above. This is my car, the Avalon is driven by my wife.
see full Toyota Solara review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Toyota Prius
2008 Toyota Prius Available Features: Pros
Year
Body/Powertrain
Comment
2008
4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD
The car has lots of storage space, an excellent a/c, a very good stereo and nav system, 6 CD changer, satellite radio and mp3 capability, tons of cargo room, heated mirrors, auto dim inside rear view mirror, and a super keyless entry and starting system.
see full Toyota Prius review
My favorite feature is the immediate feedback about battery usage and fuel economy.
see full Toyota Prius review
2008
4dr Hatch 76-horsepower 1.5L I4 Hybrid CVT FWD
They finally added leather and HID lighting. The rearview camera is sweet, and the MFD is nifty, especially when you hack it to play DVDs :)
see full Toyota Prius review
The Prius has some excellent features available, the best of which are the gas mileage monitor and the back-up camera. We also wanted a nice sound system and they have a premium upgrade which sounds fantastic.
see full Toyota Prius review
Traction control makes "shooting the gap" hazardous. If a wheel slips, it takes a second to recover.
Should you really have to spend $25 for an audio isolating x-former on a $24k car? Without it, car powered audio players get tons of ignition noise.
see full Toyota Prius review
The feature set is limited. In 2007 there was no option for leather seats or moon roof, both of whicxh I like. The sound system is no match for the Boss system in the Infiniti. But the Nav package with backup camera are actually better.
see full Toyota Prius review
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Toyota Solara
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
What Our Members Are Saying about the Available Features of the 2008 Toyota Prius
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD
CVT FWD