Disappointing G3 exterior

As a Gen III owner I think these are valid complaints. I noticed them too when I bought mine. I bought it in spite of these shortcomings. I furthermore think the vast expanse of cheap hard plastic dash is a shame too. How much could toyota have possibly saved by cheaping out on such little things? If you want Gen IV to be a better car you have to air these complaints in a public forum like this that Toyota probably monitors to some extent. A giant echo chamber does no one any good.

 

??? The 15" and 17" wheel and tire combinations have the same diameter. There can't be much more than a quarter of an inch difference in the width.
I never notice the black tab on my wheel wells except for just after reading on PC the complaints
I bought a V because I didn't like the grey inserts and wanted the 17's. If I had bought a III I would think that this car compares well with cars in its class.

 

Toyota cars in general uses cheaper interiors than its competition. I would find it unacceptable to buy one if not for the hybrid option. The interior in my 4Runner work vehicle is a lot nicer, not sure why the same couldn't have been done on the Prius and TCH.

 

I do know that Toyota uses a different turning radius and steering ratio for the 17". Part of that may be clearance, part may be feel.

Tom

 

As a "car guy", the G3 was the first Prius I ever considered buying. Of course I knew for years the Prius was great on fuel economy and was tried true on reliability and is one of the best cars you can buy period. However I never really got serious on the Prius because a huge buying factor for me is based on the looks of the car. I have always considered the G1 and G2 Prius to be not styled aggressively enough. For the G3, the high beltline, integrated wing with the sweepback, the projector headlights, etc. were the clinchers for me.

I, probably like many other G3 owners on PC, are first time Prius owners. So by default we are rarely pre-cultured on the Prius if at all. To be honest I rarely stray away from the G3 board. I'm not saying it's right but it's true for me and probably many others who are G3 biased.

 

I agree with you 100%. However, I owe a lot to owners of the G1 and G2. If wasn't for them, there might have been no G3 for me to enjoy.

 

We all have our own aesthetic taste, likes and dislikes, in design. I am an Architect, and have frequently observed that recognized architectural, award winning designs .... are frequently not appreciated by some. Even classics.

That having been said ... I like the G3. I could have purchased a G2, but chose the G3 after careful consideration. I like the exterior; I like the interior; I like the engineering; I like the fuel efficiency; I like the ride; and, I like the comfort.

If others do not ... that is perfectly fine with me, and most readers of the thread. Pretty simple ... if any do not like the vehicle ... don't buy one. But what is the point of continuing to express a personal displeasure when most of us could care less? I doubt many made their purchase following a survey of everyones opinion.

 

The G3 exterior looks bold, purposeful and functional. Those who want the swoopy, curvy lines, wait for the Lexus CT200h.

 

Lexus CT200h... Voila!

I wouldn't say it has "swoopy, curvy lines."
I'd say tight and refined.

I can do without the pig-snout front end though.

Lots of promotional verbage at the Lexus site.

 

I couldn't agree more.

I live in a contemporary house with walls of glass and wide-open expanses, while most Americans live in boring, but traditional colonials. Yawn.

I think the G3 is good looking (for what it is) - both in and outside the vehicle. Is it good looking like a Fararri or Jaguar is good looking? No, not even close. But given all the other engineering constraints put on the Prius design, I think it looks great. I especially love the interior, with the "flying bridge" concept. Very interesting layout.

I say to those at my work that are looking for a more conventional look, then buy a colonial house, and put a Ford Fusion in your garage...you will fit in just perfectly with the rest of the clones.

 

The Lexus CT200h looks like a Mazda. Really, it does. Lexus CT200h leaked

...and that's NOT my comment, but I agree with this dude.

 

Neither the Gen II or Gen III Prius is really attractive, but they are functional and not ugly. I would have to say that the Gen II is a little more rounded and aerodynamic looking than the Gen III. The Gen III is a little too edgy and angular for my taste, but I will buy one anyway. Looks are pretty far down on my list of priorities. Anyone else think the Gen II looks better than the Gen III?

 

No. But to be honest, I'd bet the average person would not be able to distinguish the two without a careful inspection. Case in point - when Sikes hoaxed the media with his unintended acceleration scam in his 2008 Prius, just about EVERY story I saw about this pictured a G3 prius, and not the G2. To those of us who own Prii, I'm sure we quickly noticed the difference...but i doubt the average person did. Actually, I was pissed that the media couldn't at least attach a picture of the right car?

 

When does the mainstream media every get anything right? That's why we have the internet.

 

I didn't like the looks of the Prius either, but then it grew on me. Now I think my black Gen II is really cute, especially when clean and shiny.

While the angular lines of the Gen III look less aerodynamic, they are really more aerodynamic. Aerodynamics are funny that way. What common sense tells us is streamlined is not always very efficient.

Tom

 

I have been reading this thread with interest. I am not sure I would call the Prius "cute" but whenever I approach my G3 sitting in a parking lot ... I look at it admiringly, and I think I consider it (and myself) smart.... a good choice .... a wise decision. It is aerodyamic as indicated by test of it's "drag" coeficient.... consider the stealth airplane ... what, F-117 (or something). It too is anguliar, and not really "beautiful" .... except it seems to be especially appropiate for it's function .... remember mention of "Form follows function." In my mind ... the Priius is attractive in that it is a delightful compilation of function, comfort, security, efficiency,convenience, engineering ...... and aerodynamics.

In my mind, a MB-300SL was gorgeous; a number of Porsche models are still objects of beauty; I really liked my 1985 Mazda RX-7; Ferrari comes to mind, and several Corvettes were really quite handsome. I think I like the roadster look ... the Nisson 280Z was especially nice as well.

I do not find the pictures of the Leaf attractive .... maybe in real life it will appeal to me; and the pictures I have seen of the Volt remind me of a Cobalt, a Chevette or a Vega ... not very inspiring. Most every manufacturer has great design teams, and concept cars they put into auto shows are frequently exciting and inspiring. Then I suppose the front office gets "cold feet" ... is this too radical? Will it sell?. Too bad.

Even the Prius concept car is exciting.

 

I've never found the Prius to be attractive going all the way back its initial release. It's butt ugly as far as I'm concerned, but it's a comfortable and efficient vehicle that's a blast to drive. I enjoy this car more than any new car I've ever had.

 

i disagree with you guys, i owned a 2007 and now the 2010 Prius and i love the look of the Gen III. I think it looks aerodynamic and really cool. One big improvement i made though is at least in my opinion the wheel upgrade made a big difference in the overall look.

Just my cents worth.

 

No need to wait for G4. Just get the 17" wheel G3 in black. All the "problems" in the OP solved.

 

Toyota should have made tinted windows standard on all G3's. Aside from wheels, no other single feature would make the G3 a much better looking car than stock.