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The i5 has a standard remote vehicle starting system, so the vehicle can be started from inside the driver's house. This allows the driver to comfortably warm up the engine before going out to the vehicle. The climate system will also automatically heat or cool the interior. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a remote starting system.
Unlike the driver-only memory seat in the Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium, the i5 has standard driver and passenger memory, so that when drivers switch, the memory setting adjusts the driver’s seat, steering wheel position, outside mirror angle, climate settings and radio stations and the front passenger seat also adjusts to the new passenger’s preset preferences.
The i5 offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a heads-up display.
The i5’s standard Comfort Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the trunk, and start the car, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Pushbutton Start standard on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a sensor on the trunk or any door except the driver’s, so you’ll have to walk to the driver's door to touch the handle.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The i5’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”
The i5 has a standard automatic headlight on/off feature. When the ignition is on, the headlights automatically turn on at dusk and off after dawn. When the ignition turns off, the headlights turn off after a delay timed to allow you to securely get to your front door. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid has an automatic headlight on/off feature standard only on the XSE.
To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the i5 offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer cornering lights. The i5 also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.
A power rear sunshade and manual rear side window sunshades are optional in the i5 to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer a rear or rear side window sunshades.
When the i5 is put in reverse, the passenger rearview mirror tilts from its original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirror into its original position. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s mirror doesn’t automatically adjust for backing.
The i5’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.
Both the BMW i5 and Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid offer exterior mirrors that can be folded to provide convenience. The i5 features standard power folding mirrors, which allow for easy, one-touch folding or unfolding at the driver’s discretion. This provides added convenience when maneuvering or parking, as well as when walking past the parked vehicle. In comparison, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid’s foldable mirrors are manual, requiring the driver to get out and physically fold them once parked and unfold them before getting in.
The i5 offers optional massaging front seats in order to maximize comfort and eliminate fatigue on long trips. Massaging seats aren’t available in the Prius Plug-In Hybrid.
The i5’s standard dual zone air conditioning allows the driver and front passenger to choose two completely different temperatures so people with different temperature preferences won’t have to compromise. This makes both the driver and front passenger as comfortable as possible. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer dual zone air conditioning.
Both the i5 and the Prius Plug-In Hybrid offer rear vents. For greater rear passenger comfort, the i5 has standard rear air conditioning vents to keep rear occupants cool in summer or warm in winter. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid doesn’t offer rear air conditioning vents, only heat vents.
The BMW i5 has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Homelink® is only available on the Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE.
To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the BMW i5 has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Only the Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE offers wireless charging.
The i5’s Parking Assistant Plus can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Control Parking will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid XSE Premium’s automatic parking system does not offer parking by remote control.
