What can I expect for mpg?

I don't know the area, but I feel like you ought to be able to get 46 mpg fairly regularly. Take a look at individuals' reported MPG on the 2010 and 2011 Prius from the EPA. The 2010 currently has 149 reports; 33 of which (22%) are below 46 mpg; the other 78% are better than 46. The average is 49 mpg, and the range is 35-74 mpg.

Maybe you can get some estimates from a PriusChatter who regularly drives in that area; as for me, yes, climbing mountain passes takes a LOT of gas. But in general, going back down the other side (or returning the way I came) tends to even it out fairly well.

Also, I feel like if you're not happy with the mileage in a Prius, there are a lot more things that can be done to improve it than in some other car. For example, grill blocking can make a big difference (I actually still have mine in, because I have yet to drive during a particularly warm period), as can increasing tire pressure. Also, learning how to do pulse and glide can get benefits, though you might prefer to just drive the car normally. Probably the best thing you can do though is to look further ahead than you're used to, and anticipate stopping or slowing much earlier. Once you see a need to slow, start coasting immediately, or braking moderately if you have to.

 

I travel from the valley to LA a lot. The highest point is not 6,000' It's more like 4144' Fraizer Park is the highest point between Gorman and Fraizer Park. Traveling south bound from the bottom of the grapevine to the Gorman and Fraizer Park peak would return about 20-25mpg. You're covering about 2800' in about 12 miles. At freeway speed, that can hurt your MPG. Look at it this way, from the Gorman/fraizer park peak to Valencia, you can easily average 80-100mpg for 41 miles. I would say that the mountain range actually improves your overall MPG. I've taken my Prius to Vegas once. I averaged about 55mpg round trip. This is during winter time in January 2011. The Prius is great on the freeway. 65MPH would definitely return at least 55mpg.

You mentioned that you want the top of the line, most expensive Prius but then mentioned that you want a Prius Three with solar roof/nav package. That's not the top of the line. The top of the line Prius is the Prius V/Five With Advance Technology Package. It costs just above $34,000. With that much freeway drivinig, you'll appreciate the Advance Tech Pack. It includes radar cruise control and lane keep assist/lane departure warning. With those 2 activated, the Prius practically drives itself. You just gotta hold the steering wheel. Currently there's no other car on the market that can get better mileage and range than a Prius city or freeway except for the Volt but that's debatable.

 

If you're budget is so strained that you have calculated you have to get at least 46 mpg out of a car then you seriously need to consider your circumstances - whatever car you get!

Sure the Prius should be able to get 46 mpg most of the time (depending on your driving) but if gas goes up again any benefit of this will be wiped out and your budget will be in trouble.

A Prius can and has been run to high mileages as can be seen from the following link; just run it past the commercial and watch (CTV British Columbia - Hybrids prove very reliable - CTV News)

Now you knowwhy I've got a Prius as a cab!

 

I'm fairly new to the Prius and have a Prius II that I replaced my Honda Civic LX (2007). I did pretty well MPG wise on my Honda of about 27 City and 37 Highway rather consistently, had some 50,000 miles and checked my MPG's every fill-up. Clearly my commute is different but I run about 19 miles each way with about 14 of that highway. I work an overnight so my normal commute in is "free flow" while the morning often has a moderate "rush-hour" lag.

In my Civic I would average about 31 MPG's very consistently. While so far with the Prius I get 46 running the same route. Now the Prius is very new with less than 2,000 miles and I have not repeated this enough times to be really sure but seemingly I get about 15 MPG more with the Prius.

 

Here's an idea: why not rent a Prius for a week and see how it does over your daily commute?? Then you would know.

The solar roof/nav package is $3730. That would buy a lot of gas. So why worry about a few mpg either way? I manage without nav at the moment but if it becomes a problem I'll just buy a Garmin ($100-ish I think). Solar roof is nice for keeping the car cool when parked in the sun but I'd either (a) find a place to park out of the sun, or (b) tint the windows, crack them open, and get a shade for the front window (total cost probably around $600??).

[edit] I forgot about the $1000 upcharge from the Two to the Three, so that makes $4730. Yes I know lots of goodies are involved, but if you're running a cost analysis this is a big cost.

 

Which ever package you get, make sure to get 15'' wheels.
and defiantly rent the thing for a couple of days.
I drive in mass 75 miles round trip with one passenger in the car all the time. 25 % traffic 3 days out of 5 also 50% medium hills with speeds are 60 and up for 75%. use cruise control 50%.
Use ECO mode with a/c.
I am getting 50 to 52 mpg and 500 miles pet tank per week @$37.00
trying to save up for ZO6. thats my reason for Prius.
c

 

Although I live in Norcal, I drive to Chatsworth quite often and I find that the key to good mpg over the grapevine is keeping your speed at 65mph or lower. When I race uphill at 75mph+ my mpg drops into the low 40s.

I also recommend sticking with the 15" wheels. The tires are cheaper and you have many choices for low rolling resistance tires. They are much more economical than the 17s.

 

Still a lot of $$$: it costs $1900 for the iPod/JBL/Nav system, plus another $1000 to step up to the Three, so $2900. Yikes!! If all you want is an iPod-capable audio, you could get a nice aftermarket installation for a LOT less than that I would think.

When I got my Insight-I I thought I absolutely HAD to have a new Alpine system with iPod hookup and better speakers. Now I find I don't use it that much. Partly having too much fun driving the thing. Plus distraction from the stereo lowers my mpg a bit; not that I have to grip the wheel all the time but my thoughts drift off with the music or news.

 

Here's a Toyota salesperson in Carson CA, not too far from you??, who advertises on this site and sells at MSRP. Nice selection.
http://priuschat.com/forums/dealers...-july-2011-prius-inventory-2.html#post1359595

 

At highway speeds (65mph) I'd expect fuel economy in the high 40's. Sitting in stop & go traffic is a killer. Sooner or later you'll discharge the traction battery causing the gas engine to run just enough to charge the battery a bit. I find this to be very irritating when sitting in the line for the Lincoln Tunnel. However, whatever you get out of a Prius will still be higher than other vehicles.

Your Prius experience is in a Gen2. It is a different car. Based on my experience in a Gen3 it is easier to get the Gen2's fuel economy but I've had to work harder to beat it (& then by not much).

The Gen3 is a bigger, more efficient car. Whether or not the differences are better are mostly a matter of taste. There are a number of things I didn't like at first but if given the choice between the generations I won't go back.

The options add weight. They may or may not add functionality but they aren't going to improve fuel economy. From my POV you are looking at the middle of the lineup. I find most of the avionics in the AT package useful and they make longer drives possible. (I've gone overnight Charleston, SC to Washington DC after working a full day.) The NAV unit compared to my old Garmin is about equally retarded. I now listen almost exclusively to my files on a USB drive plugged into the armrest. I like the brighter LED headlights. The fog lights are useless. I miss the map pockets in the doors.

Rent a Prius for a week or so to see how it performs on your route & how you fit in the car. If you aren't comfortable any car isn't worth it.

 

I have 2010 Prius with solar roof option.. I had my 1st sun roof on my last car and though I liked it, did not think I would go that option (something about paying extra to have a whole in my roof...) I was leaning toward the IV option, no GPS ( i have a gps) But I really liked the large screen and now my GPS is in a drawer and used when someone else needs to borrow it. I am very pleased with the way the car remains cool when parked in sun (I ALWAYS park in shade if available). The remote a/c is rarely used but you might use it... I'm just spoiled at not having to use a key to open my door, I am "perturbed" when i have to pull my key fob out...

I am from Chicago area and my biggest concern was the gps screen surviving severe winters (and last year was a reall killer). No problems and brother in law has had one in his cars with no issues.

One big difference you will find is that the better mileage will come with outstanding space. We have always had at least one larger car (prius replaced a 2002 Mercury Sable). I would say my useable space far exceeds that car and Prius has a much smaller footprint. Don't know your other options, but the Prius should not have any issues with the highway driving or the hills. Switch off of eco if you run into issues or switch to Power (i've used it once but have shown my wife and a son who has borrowed it to pick up some large purchases).. I also have some pictures I took of a dresser i hauled in the Prius (got over 50MPG in stop and go traffic hauling the dresser in the rain..)

Feel free to contact me if any additional questions...

 

That's strange, last weekend I made a trip from exit 98 GSP to exit 140 and got 59.8 mpg using CC set at 68mph. From Rt 22 (exit 140) to downtown Newark, without reset, it went up to 64MPG. During winter I get 52 MPG for that same trip.

 

It really depends on your conditions, attention to details when it comes to efficient driving, and wheel/tire setup. Even at freeway speeds one can take advantage of tiny hills (10-40ft) to glide for a short period and boost MPG. I cruised at 65mpg during my commute today and still pulled off 55mpg. I didn't do any pulse and gliding. i just paid attention to the road and adjusted my foot for efficiency.

I'm sure a lot of folks could do much better but there are also those who just set the cruise control and end up with a bit lower MPG.

 

I use the cruise control religiously. It's one of the best CC's I've ever had in any car. I don't doubt that I could eke out a little more MPG's using strict PNG, but to be honest ... I just can't get into it. It's too much like work. Don't get me wrong ... I have a ScanGuage and drive for efficiency, but on a wide open highway, I just LOVE the CC. On a 220 mile trip from PA to MD, which is 95% highway, I go 55 in 55's and 65 in 65's, and I getaround 56 MPG with constant AC usage in the summer, and 57-58 MPG in non-summer months when AC isn't needed. I can live with that, and I don't have to constantly fiddle with the throttle just to get another 2 MPG.

I can see people doing that just as a game and I do it myself ... just not on such a long trip.

If you haven't tried the CC on these cars you should .... it is excellent.

REV

 

Rev, I use CC just about every day but I turn it off when I encounter any kind of upslope. The CC is just too aggressive when going up hill. I find I can modulate the throttle better and keep the revs down during those occasions. Otherwise I totally agree with you. When I hit those long stretches of highway I hit CC.

Ohh and I hate that you GenIII people get so much bettr MPG on the freeway.