Wish list for next generation Prius Plug-in

Yes, a radically new vehicle, which can do all that and maintain all the other existing strengths of the Prius, has not been invented.

The Volt gets it's 40 mile range from having a massive EV battery, which impinges on cargo and passenger space in nearly every possible way. Toyota has already publicly said that they are not planning any design changes in that direction, at least for now.

The notion of "engine kick-in" is a distraction from the whole concept of a hybrid, which is to extend mileage overall. It's not a simple matter of keeping the engine turned off as long as possible to improve mileage. Similarly, it's not a simple matter of increasing gearing ratios in the drive-train to make the engine turn slower. The reason the Prius is the most successful hybrid overall, is because Toyota engineers have studied all the aspects of fuel economy and designed the entire vehicle around them, with a suite of technologies working together to deliver superior fuel economy. Disabling engine kick-in is unlikely to contribute to improved mileage, and likely to contribute to mechanical failures in the hybrid system in other ways.

 

And used regular gasoline.

 

Ok, a wish that might not be quite so radical. Make the car smart about pulse and glide, and make the car smart about changes in elevation. We have a "maintain constant speed mode" (and if you have the radar, is even smart about distance to the car in front) -- so why not a "maintain pulse and glide and adapt to hills" mode. To be honest, I find that part of the fun of the car is the game of trying to optimize efficiency, but for goodness sake, we have a built in computer with a GPS -- wouldn't it be a real selling point to offer that profile? Or would that just creep out the driving public?

 

It's a small thing I know, but attaching a cable to the rear-window wiper arm, and having it operate a small wiper pad to clean the lens on the backup camera wouldn't be a bad idea. I may just rig up something like that myself.

 

The 62 mph (100kph) limit for EV mode is a bit of a pain. Why not 70 mph? When I want to drive in EV mode to save fuel, and the speed limit is 100 kph or more, I have to keep it at 99 to avoid going into HV mode. The problem with that, is that everyone is passing me like I'm some sort of cretin.

 

You have trips of less than 15 miles that require over 62 mph?

 

Actually, I use EV mode for all trips. Much of the time, the trip starts out on a road with a speed limit higher than 99 kph. Not a big deal I suppose, but I lose the EV advantage at those speeds.

I like to choose when I am expending the EV charge, and I find it a bit annoying sometimes when the system makes that choice for me.

 

You lose the EV advantage, but gain the gas-electric blended mode.

Mike

 

for my elbow to be in the cup holder, i'd have to have my chest against the steering wheel.

 

...and for those of us who DO have access to Entune, please please please also provide a reasonable alternative.

 

Hopes for the next generation PiP that seem conservatively achievable:
1) Small improvement in mpg to maintain leadership in this category, while
2) Maintaining the Prius price range, then
3) Using the rest of the engineering budget and technological advances over the prior few years to increase EV range

Something like 52-55 mpg would keep the PiP ahead of the competition in this category. Then, if we could get something like 17-20 EV miles (assuming we say the current generation gets 11-12), would be quite nice in my book.

 

I agree with what you say, except under 3 I would ask a little money go to these items:

1) Return the "Suspend Navigation" that was on my 2004 Prius. This was great for the unexpected bathroom/drink/phone stops along the way.

2) Make the outside temperature readable. My PIP is usually not readable as it is too dim. Recently I rode in a Prius v and the outside temperature was very visible - much better.

3) Use the instant MPG reading like the Prius v - easy to read numerals, rather than the thin bar to the right of the speedometer.

 

I've never seen a navigation device which didn't wait for you while you were stopped.

I agree.

I see their point; it's easy to get worked up about instantaneous gas mileage, but what really counts is the trip average.

 

Agree wholeheartedly, but unfortunately, success breeds mediocrity. The Prius is the clear winner in the hybrid category, more being sold than all others combined. What the market needs is a powerful contender. Perhaps Tesla, GM or Nissan have something in the works that will shake things up.

 

This is us at Costco, one chilly day last winter:



^ Not a Costco tire, so no help there. Just a situation that can and does happen, every so often.

I will NOT buy a car that doesn't have a spare tire, properly accommodated. Right now the Prius Hybrid does not meet that spec, it's essentially a regular Prius with extra battery shoehorned into the spare tire well.

Anyway, that's first and foremost on my wish list.

 

You may have trouble buying very fuel efficient/electric vehicles moving forward. That seems to be the trend.

 

The trend, yes. A good trend? do not know about that.

 

I absolutely will not buy a car that does not have a spare.

 

The only thing missing from the PiP is the spare itself, everything else is there. Other spareless cars don't even have the tools.