iPhone connection for a 2005 Prius

The 2005 Prius does not come with an auxiliary 1/8” stereo input jack to send iPhone music through the car stereo.

Option 1 - FM transmitter

Pros - $40 or less, easy, works will all cars Cons - No charging capability, low to terrible sound quality, will drop out especially in major areas with many radio stations, no integration to cars stereo controls (like skip) ## Option 2 - Cassette adapter

Pros - $10 or less, easy Cons - No charging capability, lower sound quality, not all cars have cassette decks, no integration to cars stereo controls (like skip) ## Option 3 - 3rd party add-in iPod connection

DICE iPod Car Integration Unit - discontinued GROM Audio Pros - Prius stereo controls work, Charges iPod, Good sound quality, can use old iPod/iPhone as dedicated device Cons - Likely no longer available + DIY installation of 1-2 hours, iPod interface not supported on newer devices ## Option 4 - 3rd party add-in 1/8” input

Pros - Works with any device. Good sound quality but must set volume on phone, can use old iPod/iPhone as dedicated device Cons - $150 + DIY installation of 1-2 hours, no charging ## Option 5 - 3rd party add-in for Bluetooth

Carstream BT101TOY - Crutchfield - $160 if DIY MediaBridge AMBR1500TOY - $130 discontinued GROM Audio Bluetooth adapter - not recommended - could not get to reliably connect Pros - Works with any Bluetooth device. Good sound quality. Cons - $100-$160 + DIY installation of 1-2 hours, no charging. Location of Bluetooth antenna can cause it not to be reliable. ## Option 6- Replace head-unit

Kenwood DDX371 ~$250 + $200 installation Pros - Get a new system with additional features like DVD and touchscreen. Cons - Cost - $200-$500, DIY for only the brave. ## Recommendation

The 2005 Prius is an old car and the importance of audio has to be balanced with the value of the car. In my case, I installed two 3rd party options over the years and it was more pain than it was worth. The first was Option 3 (iPod adapter) that work well for 5 years but had no bluetooth or iPhone capability. The 2nd DYI lasted less than a year. I went to a shop that does installations (Best Buy) and was happy to have someone who installs all the time just take car of it. I could have economized by going with a non-touch screen unit and not installing a new hands-free microphone. I also utilized the USB connection to plug in a flash drive rather than an iPod. In other words, I can play music on the flash drive (which is always in the car) or via Bluetooth from my iPhone.