Would you want a Prius AWD?

Subaru AWD cars are very popular in this area, given our weather and numerous hills. While not for everyone, a Subaru style vehicle with HSD should prove popular in specialized markets like ours.

Tom

 

I'm in on this idea.

I could see a Prius c, like convertible.

I think an unfair prejudice sometimes applied to Prius is that they are not fun.

(At least in the crowd of my most Anti-Hybrid friends)

What better way to inject.."Hybrids can be Fun" into the equation than to produce a convertible Hybrid?

 

Heck no!

I am already impressed that Toyota has managed to pull off manufacturing such an impressive car as the Prius and keep the price as low as it is.

I'm even a little concerned that Toyota could be stretching itself too thin, but that's not from any data--just my personal feelings.

Prius needs to achieve greater overall acceptance and dominance right now. AWD will just drive up the price and add weight and complexity, driving down fuel economy.

Prius has its niche--save the AWD for the RAV4 hybrid or something else.

 

In one of the two parts of the USA where I alternate my life-style, the Prius is nonexistent and useless much of the year for getting around, green or not. (My new one makes a grand total of 2 here, after how many years of Prius being sold in the USA?) Every other car here just about is a Subaru, of which I've owned 2 myself over time -- and likely will again.... Make the Prius work in the many parts of the USA that are not flatland or are mostly white in winter , and maybe there would be "acceptance and dominance".

 

I think a better way of asking the question would be "what would you pay, in price as well as fuel economy, for an AWD version of the Prius?"

For me, I live "off-road" in Maine, AWD would be worth some to me. A bit more ground clearance would also be helpful (especially if adjustable).

 

The idea of an AWD Prius is tempting. However, I already have a separate set of snow tires that I use on my Prius in the winter. Works well on snow-pack and ice.
The real issue is not the AWD, but the ground clearance: it just cannot negotiate more than a couple of inches of fresh snow. Beside that, the front end of mine is beat up from those low concrete parking lot barriers.
So, what I would rather see would be an adjustable-height suspension.

 

If you are going to give it AWD then give it extra ground clearance otherwise it is kind of a joke. Think Subaru Outback here.

I'd rather see a hybrid Rav4 first. I like our Rav4 but hate the average 22mpg.

 

EPA on current Impreza is 36mpg hiway. Refinements like regen braking, weight savings, lrr tires and tweaking aerodynamics might make the numbers 40+ which is not bad compared to lowest mpg Prii. Costs run from $17,500 to $22,500 so considering the higher costs of Prii...
2012 Subaru Impreza | Digital Dynamic Brochure

 

How 'bought a Hybrid AWD Swagger Wagon That'd be a cool ride.

Mike


iPhone

 

Exactly. And you will see it. The vehicles actually exist in Japan already. We see Volvo's V70 Diesel AWD/EV/Hybrid...the perfect car with 100 mpg potential. Toyota might subcontract it to Subaru vs. taking it over itself.

Electric vehicles make it easy since all that is needed is adding traction motors to the real wheels, no elaborate drive train from the main engine. The AWD capability is used as needed based on wheel slip.

I do have hopes of making my current Prius a snow chariot by putting in Nokian WG's. My GranPrix with Michelin ICEX's totally worked from Big Mountain to Jackson Hole to Tahoe to Little Cottonwood.

 

Audi's have a different look and build.

Highlander is getting 30 mpg. Smaller, purpose designed AWD, a redesigned RAV4, should certainly get 40 mpg. Give it some EV capability, even 10 miles and the daily commutes, would be pushing 50-60 mpg.

 

Nobody around here runs an Audi for an everyday recreational vehicle. Once you get into the foothills it's all about the Subaru Outback and Impreza.

Regarding the Rav4. Aye, but keep it affordable. We don't need another $40k+ hybrid SUV. Keep it under $30k and it will sell.

 

Most AWD's are not "recreational vehicles", they are people's every day car.

You had mentioned ground clearance.
Subaru Impreza 5.7"
Audi A3 4.3"
Prius 3 5.3"

Prius AWD EV/Hybrid at 60 mpg would be a killer, taking a bite out of Subaru on the low end and Audi on the top end.

 

If there was a Prius AWD, Toyota would have to turn up the wick on torque available to the wheels so it could dig it's way out of deep snow, mud, sand or any other torque sucking task. No doubt it could be done with the electric motors and the right battery capacity along with a drivetrain that would handle the abuse that an AWD vehicle gets handed on occasions I'd trade in my Saturn Vue AWD for one if it was made.

Mike


iPhone

 

You convieniently left out the Outback which is the main model I was commenting on. I'll do it for you.

2012 Subaru Outback 8.7"

You also chose the Impreza with the least amount of ground clearance. Are we cherry picking to try an make a point just so you have something to argue about? I clearly stated "everyday recreational vehicle". That means it is a vehicle that is used for recreation and is also an everyday use vehicle. People in my area that live in the foothills and lead a very active lifestyle involving outdoor activities love the Outback for its versatility and ground clearance. I live in the self-proclaimed Endurance Capital of the World and people need a car that can do just about everything and so far the Outback is the car that best fits the bill. If the mpg wasn't so bad I would have considered one.

 

If they made a Prius v all wheel drive, I would trade my Escape Hybrid all wheel drive in for one. They would need to put the Camry drive train in it so it had enough power.

 

I think you might be confusing AWD with off road vehicles.

Audis, Subuarus, Highlander hybrids, Lexu 450h hyrbids, they are on road AWD for bad weather driving.

Plus electric traction motors have lots of torque. No need to add all the weight and power sucking drive trains of typical AWD.

 

I traded my Escape AWD hybrid in for a Prius. Great vehicle but three years old and I needed to increase my mileage every three years and Ford and GM had nothing to offer. Going to try the Prius with Nokian WG's this ski season.

 

Didn't leave it out but the Impreza 30 mpg, CVT is Subaru's big new technology push because Subaru owners were demanding good mileage and the Outback's a pig at 20-24 mpg.

No. Subaru designed in the lower height to get better mileage on it's most advanced new vehicle, the Impreza.

It's the high mileage Subaru owners, the Impreza buyers, who Prius would be targeting. People buying tug boat Outbacks are looking at Tahoes and Explorers not Prius.

Subaru is responding to high mileage demand in the AWD drive market it inhabits and Prius should do the same and likely is working on it now, trying not to cannibalize its Highlander/RX450 hybrid market which is already taking the piggy Outback's customers offering 30 mpg vs. 22-24 mpg for AWD.

I'd be selling the first born and his first born for the Volvo A70 Diesel AWD, EV Hybrid at 120 mpg. I'd likely have to get in line, a long line.

 

It is very clear you do not understand the market I am talking about (environmentally concerned but outdoorsy people). I'll leave it at that.

I'm also curious how you can compare an Outback at $23,000 to a HiGhlander Hybrid at $38,000 or the RX450h at $45,000 (base prices). Your numbers are so questionable it's not even funny.