Did you buy your Gen III for Styling?

I think when Toyota was designing the shape of the gen2, they basically asked 'how can we create the most aerodynamically efficient shape with the most interior room possible' ... they worked hard and along came the iconic Prius.

Exterior design is 7 of 9 on my list while performance, meaning acceleration, turning prowess is 8 of 9 for a daily driver.

Gen3's shape doesn't offend me at all. I understand the Kammback design.

Reliability, efficiency and interior design are higher priorities.

 

What I got from that was that much more thought went into the Gen II.

I felt the same way when I compared the 2009 and 2010 models 1.5 years ago.

 

The "styling" of the Gen III verges, like most Toyotas, on being "overworked, but underdone" as my best Instructor at Art Center College of Design used to phrase it.

The Toyota "pigsnout" for their logo is, IMO, the single worst shape. The "WHITE" tailights may be in vogue but that doesn't make what should be red/amber look good graphically. Conversly, the surface shapes down the side of the car are quite subtle and sophisticated.
The overall profile is driven by function, but yet has an eye pleasing shape.

Fortunately the most important items are (to me) the car's ability to sip fuel while keeping pace with traffic and the optional lumbar support in my IV that gives me a (expensive) seat that allows me to drive the car comfortably despite the pinched nerve in my left shoulder. After 3 operations to fix that...I'm not ready to try #4! Honda's Insight strikes me as a cleaner exterior design, but dynamically it about matches a Gen II Prius....not good. Plus the only seat availible in the car LIT my nerve off after @ 89 miles of driving...scratch that candidate!

DFO

 

I don't think you know about hybrids or design as much as you think you do. The Gen III drivetrain is superior to a Gen II and Insight, no doubt about that. But to say an Insight matches the "not good" dynamics of a Gen II Prius is pretty ignorant. The Prius Atkinson cycle engine with HSD is way more advanced than the Honda otto cycle engine.

 

Handling between a Gen II and Insight? I don't know exactly but Ive heard the insight has better handling. Lower to the ground but also can hear and feel the road more.

The gen iii is slightly wider so definitely has better handling than a base Gen II, probably not a touring though. Except Prius V. V rules them all. So to rank 'em;

Technology:
3. Insight
2. Gen II Prius
1. Gen III Prius

Handling
Gen II base
Insight
Gen III base
Gen II Touring
Gen III V

Styling is subjective as we discussed so it's hard to rank. But we could rank the Insight below Gen II and Gen III, just because it's a copycat, and because this is PriusChat, not HondaLovers.

 

Who do you mean by 'We', Kemo Sabe?

I still prefer the exterior style of the Accord Hatchback that was retired by the acquisition of this Prius. But once inside, the old Honda is completely forgotten.

When stuck in traffic behind a CRX a couple months ago, I had to wonder why it also copycatted the GenII Prius.

 

What does kemo sabe mean?

 

I bought my gen 3 because I liked the looks of it. I was shopping for Subarus, and I thought i might compare to an AWD Matrix, and when i saw the Prius and drove it, all the other cars i checked out went right out the window. Gas milage was a close second. Reliability Third. Environmentalisim WAAAY down the list.

Also somewhere in there, Spite. I work in construction and part of me just wanted to piss off my coworkers who drive big trucks to commute to work in. I would have never considered a Gen II. It shares alot of the basic shape with the Gen III, but its far more utilitarian looking. I was totally uninterested in a Prius til i saw a Gen III in person.

 

To answer OP's question:
Yeah I bought into gen III's styling big time. It has an import tuner look which I like. but I gotta say what most probably feel, had it not been for the mpg's, i wouldnt have bought in. style isn't toyota's strong suit at the moment

 

It means you're young...

 

I really like the wagon design of the new Pruis over the old sedan design. We go camping, so I love the space. We keep our cars for 7-8years, so we'll certainly make back the 'hybrid premium' well before then. So in effect, I'm saving money while moving this excellent technology forward.

 

Ask hyo silver...

 

Yes, I very much like the styling of my black gen III, package V. In comparison I consider the look of the gen II to be somehow, apologetic. Completely nonsensical since the car certainly has nothing to apologize for – and probably an opinion shared only by myself – but the gen III just seems that little bit prouder to me.

Styling wasn't the number one reason for buying though. Gas mileage was first followed by available technology. The acceptable handling and performance came next. A lack of leather and heated seats would have been deal-breakers and feeling good about driving a car (environmentally when compared to the 14mpg in my previous car).

All that said, if I hadn't liked the look of the car then I wouldn't have bought it so, maybe styling was the deciding factor.

 

I figured it was some antediluvian reference. I may seem young, but I feel old; Remember, I drive a Prius and in a couple of years I'll be dropped from my parents' health insurance plan.

Back on topic: Since the day I purchased my used '09, I've never regretted missing out on the Gen III's styling. However, there is something I miss that I never, ever accounted for, and that is a witnessing the discussions in PriusChat shift slowly to the Gen III. I'll admit there are times I feel left out when I see all those cool new features or modifications Gen III owners are discovering (illuminated emblems, LED headlights, etc!). I'm not saying I feel at a disadvantage looking for Gen II information on PriusChat. There's a plethora of well-documented information here. But often when I'm researching a modification, I have to do a lot of digging for threads that are 2-6 years old. Fortunately the information is still relevant, but it would've been nice to be part of that discussion when it was "current," as Gen III owners get to experience now.

But here we are. Life moves on. Like I said, in a couple years...health insurance...

 

Yes exterior styling had a lot to do with it, but I love the interior more!
Of course fuel consumption, no road tax and London congestion charge exempt did play a part too.