Prius vs. Lexus Hybrid

most loaded would be Plug in prius advanced (whether the "best" is subjective )

 

OK interesting choice. I have recently traded a 2009 BMW 320d Touring for my 2010 Gen III in the UK. The Bimmer was pretty powerful with 174bhp, so yes quicker than the Prius. Also quieter (at high speeds on the freeway) And could do 48-49 mpg. It was also more luxurious, as I guess the Lexus would be, but not hugely reliable even with lots of tlc.
The beauty of the Prius is in the (very) clever engineering, and clever packaging (as roomy as the BMW), and knowing that it is highly efficient at what it does. Toyota (= Lexus too) also has a reputation for reliability.
But, whichever car you choose, in my experience as a petrolhead, you have to want it with your head and also your heart!!

 

After 40k miles we have never seen mileage that low.

That is a common issue. The goofy rear window is annoying.

Test drive once again, but this time, press the PWR button before you leave the parking lot.

Performance is the opposite of fuel efficiency.

You can not have both at the same time.

However in a Prius, if you want power you can select to have some.

 

We bought a Lexus es300h for my wife in December. Followed up with a new Prius for me last month. So I've spent some time with both now. Nav system -- the Lexus wins hands down. It's more like we were used too with my gen II Prius and her RX400h. OTOH I personally think the joy stick in the Lexus sucks. Touchscreen is much simpler -- but it works. Ride comparison -- well not a surprise; the Lexus wins. It's not an LS, but it does feel like a Lexus ride. Probably ride and performance "feel" are the biggest differentiators. By performance "feel" I mean the Prius accelerates like a Prius. The Lexus won't burn up the quarter mile, but somehow it never feels like a slug. Oh, forgot economy -- driving the same kind of trips locally -- my Prius does 47-48 mpg -- her Lexus 33-35. Final analysis is
I love my Prius but there's a lot to be said for a luxury sedan that can do 33 mpg driving around town and doesn't feel like a slug.

Lastly don't forget the Toyota Avalon hybrid. Much like the Lexus but a few thousand cheaper. Same drive train-Same EPA numbers.

 

I agree the rear window view is odd, but you do get used to it, I think my period of adjustment was about 2 months.

 

Same thing here. It's a matter of getting used to it and the odd feeling will just fade away.

 

Or the Camry Hybrid.

 

The Prius do have a "Power" mode which doesn't give you a lot of thrust but it makes the Prius run quick enough to climb hills and pass traffic. I own an M3 and the Prius power mode doesn't disappoint at all.

 

Yes. You are definitely forgetting one very important contender - 2012 or later Toyota Camry Hybrid

Why Camry Hybrid?

* 43 / 39 / 41 MPG combined. I got the mpg pegged at 43.5 and the pump results were 46.7 (mi/gal).

* 200 total horsepower - very good in this 3,450 lb car. It is faster than the non-hybrid Camry. 0 to 60 under 8 seconds, that's good! Prius only has 134 HP.

* dual link independent rear suspension - trust me, it goes around corners better than a Prius.

* Positively more zippy around town than Prius and chews up freeway miles much more effortlessly than Prius.

* Definitely more fun to drive than Prius.

* Quieter interior, more conventional and mildly hip interior and dash

* Good trunk room despite the hybrid battery taking a little extra space.

* Can be had in base LE, XLE with power fabric seats or load it up with ultrasuede / leather, HDD nav and premium audio.

* I wouldn't buy it because the seat bottom cushions are a bit too short for my very long legs. shouldn't be a problem for 98% of the population.

Note - I don't work for Toyota.

I just don't want people thinking Prius is the only hybrid out there. Skip testing the Camry hybrid at your own peril.

* Also, Camry hybrid doesn't have the stupid reverse beep.

btw, Power Mode in Prius only makes gas pedal more sensitive. Does nothing to increase overall horsepower. If I'm climbing the Dublin grade in Power mode, it will ultimately be the same as in normal or eco mode.

 

The new Accord Plug-in is already out, and is getting good reviews. One of the things the reviews of the new accord point out is good visibility. The hybrid model will be out in the fall.

Don't know if you trust Chevy or Ford, but couldn't hurt to go look at the Volt and the C-Max.

The CT200 is actually a pretty nice car, and the seating is extremely comfortable, but a lot of people (including my wife) find it slightly cramped. Regarding looks, it can be tricked out quite a bit in the F-sport versions.

Don't know if you want more room, and can't say I like the looks, but you should at least look at the Prius v.

Regarding Nav, the premium Lexus and Toyota systems are pretty much the same. The big difference is that Lexus uses a joystick controller, which some people don't like (though it does keep the display clean), rather than simple touch screen. The people here that complain about it would complain about any manufacturer's system. They are just used to their tom-toms or garmins, and object to the money charged, both initially and for updates. Data will be most up to date on the portable systems (at a far cheaper cost). The large premium displays can be quite nice though, and certainly more convenient. In an age of smart phones and free google maps, maybe a bit hard to justify. However, the integration with other car features and your phone can also be useful.

 

I'm back, because it struck me there's a big difference between a sedan and a hatchback. I have the luxury of having both a Prius and a hybrid camry in the family. The Prius is great for short trip city driving and tossing stuff in the back, and hauling the occasional large item. The camry is much more comfortable, relaxing and quiet for any long highway trips. You might want to think about how you will be using the car, and which features match up better with your needs.

 

Ok, saw your first post - didn't like Avalon hybrid or CT200h.

Hmmmmm....

Well, I think you might need to look at another brand.

If you want hot and fresh looking and are willing to take a risk on first year model ... check out the 2013 Ford Fusion hybrid. Trouble is the reported fuel economy is nowhere near 47 mpg average. Fuelly is showing 37 mpg aggregate. It's a great looking car, but the trunk space is pretty compromised with the battery. It doesn't look like Ford worked nearly as hard as Toyota to integrate the battery into the trunk.

I would be much more confident the Cam Hy slams Ford Fusion Hy on mpgs also.

How about the Kia Optima or its hybrid? It's a pretty hip looking car.

Hyundai Sonata / hybrid?

Honda just put out a plug-in Accord hybrid, but only available in CA and NY and there's basically none around the Bay Area.

but..... the Accord regular hybrid is coming out in August this year. Finally, after all these years Honda is building a 'full' hybrid. They are so late to the game.