Upscale Prii an endangered species ?

Out of 38 Hycam users on fuelly .... Exactly ZERO indicate they get any more than 48 mpg ... Out of 38 users .... Only FOUR indicate mileage above 40. Anybody can cherry pick a good tank or trip and then proclaim that that's the mileage they get ... But we all know that's not real world numbers. I'm sure you do too.

I just bought a 2012 Mazda 3 Skyactiv last year. Touring model with sunroof and Bose cost me $17,200. It's been averaging 37.5 mpg overall in my wife's 50/50 commute in 20 degree weather, and I had a trip where it got 47.1 over 250 miles. That doesn't mean it gets 47 mpg on a regular basis, and to report that it does is being disingenuous.

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I couldn't agree more, and with winter, winter gas, and shorter trips, my Prius mpg's have dropped to the low 40's .... within about 3 mpg of my wife's Mazda 3 at 37.5, which so far has been virtually unaffected by the winter variables ... (I can't believe it myself).

We have to face it .... Not just put our heads in the sand .... Other cars are quickly encroaching on the Prius 'model'. A Mazda 3 Skyactiv in the high 30's is a damn viable alternative to the Prius at about $7k less for an equally equipped car, that has far better materials, and is actually fun to drive.

You can probably buy 5 or 6 years of gas with that $7k, and have had a blast driving it all that time. I still like my Prius, but I gotta admit ... The melted water bottle interior is starting to get to me .... And it's loud as hell in the cabin compared to almost ANYTHING else.

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The exact same thing was said about the Prius when it was released.

Do you REALLY believe that Toyota is the only company capable of building an honest 50 mpg car ?

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When I said slacking off, I meant not bothering to upgrade the mechanicals appreciably, since they already had a winning platform and drivetrain. It's certainly possible that Honda started with a semi-blank slate, and came up with a better/more efficient system that allows them to put their hybrid drivetrain into a bigger, heavier, conventional looking car that STILL gets 50 mpg. It's also certainly possible that if they made it look like a Prius, that it would get even higher mileage.

I'd think most people, including myself, put up with the looks of the Prius simply because of what it allows it to achieve. It is kind of frumpy and nerdy looking. Some may think that's an endearing quality, but I'd think most would prefer a more conventional looking car, if the end result, namely mileage .... Was the same.

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Exactly .... The more you research and read about it .... The more likely it really seems to be the truth. It really seems like Honda may knock the upscale Prius off its pedestal ... The lower level Prii in the $22-23k range should still be generally unaffected. That's why I said I could see the upscale features migrating their way downward, and lower overall prices in response to the hybrid Accord, which would destroy resale values for the highest end Prii already on the market.

For the vast percentage of potential hybrid buyers ... I'm guessing that most would pick the new Accord if the prices were remotely close to each other. There's a lot of people who won't buy a Prius simply because of the way it looks, that ... and the obnoxious tree-hugger stigma associated with them. I'll admit that I put up with the way it looks just to get the mileage. I'd live without the hatchback to have a far better looking, more comfortable, quieter car with a much nicer interior.

Having said that ... I won't pay 30+ grand for ANY car, so unless they release what would basically be an LX model ... I won't be buying one. If I bought another car right now .... It would absolutely be the new Mazda 3 hatchback. For about $20k you get close to 40 mpg overall, an easy 40+ on trips, far less initial cost, much nicer and vastly quieter interior, no hybrid trickery, and a really fun to drive car.

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I think the Accord is in general a better car all around than the Camry ... Read any review .... Regardless of hybrid or not. The Camry is a nice car, but like the Corolla or Prius ... It's a boring to drive appliance. Hondas in general are well known to have a far more sporting attitude than Toyota's, with close to the same general reliability. The Camry is getting a little old in the tooth from a cosmetic POV as well .... Badly in need of a total refresh.

I still think Honda is missing the boat a little in creating the hyacc in EX trim only. Many people interested in fuel economy are interested in automobile economy in general .... Like me .... I bought a II in 2010 with all the rebates and discounts, and got it for $21k out the door. If a Prius was $25+k then .... I would have bought a different car .... Probably an Elantra. Right now, the absolute best bang for the buck in an economy car is the leftover or new Mazda 3 Skyactiv. Their new Skyactiv technology is best in class, also in a best in class platform.

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True, but the Honda is an EX, where the Toyota is an LS ... A more equivalent comparison would be the ES model in a Hycam ... If it exists, which would level the playing field a little. I'd like to see Honda release an Accord LX hybrid at $25k ... Then even I, frugal or cheap as I am .... might be interested.

I just can't see spending $30+k on a car .... Cars are just an incredible waste of money .... and I'll never finance a car for more than 4 years.

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Your point was quite clear .... What I pointed out was that you're getting a more luxurious car with the EX Accord vs the LE Camry ...whether those features are of $3000 value to you only you can say .... To say nothing of the mpg advantage.

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That's a shame .... Still boooooring ......

 

I think people are buying proven reliability and gas mileage, and merely put up with boring to get those other traits. I know that's true in my case. Nothing wrong with that.

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