I've had my 2004 Prius for a bit over two years and liked it enough to buy a
second one. I just filled up my new 2006 for the first time and noticed that
although the mileage on the display screen reset to zero, unlike the 2004,
the MPG readout did not reset. I am wondering if this is a new feature or if
there is some setting that I don't know about that controls this behavior.

There have been some improvements in the 2006 that I like. The rear camera
makes backing up less stressful. Because of rear visibility, I always worry
about backing over bicycles, pets, children, etc. Now a quick look at the
display screen before backing assures met that the area behind me is clear.
The navigation system also seems better. My 2004 thinks that I live out in
the middle of a field while the 2006 knows where my driveway is. The voice
command system, in addition to responding to more commands, seems to be less
picky about pronunciation. It is now possible to set a destination address
via voice command while moving. The 2006 does not have a tape player, but
the CD player plays MP3 and WMA files, so I guess that's an even tradeoff.

I drive both cars during the week and I can detect absolutely no difference
in the way that they handle. The 2004 gets driven on fewer short trips so it
is getting about 5 MPG better than the 2006.

Kari