New Prius for 9k miles a year driver?

What other cars are catching up to Prius in MPGs? I don't see it with Camry, Fusion Sonata, C-max or even the Accord Hybrid which is banking just under 44 mpg for 75 or so owners on fuelly.

Those sedans have the BIG problem of reduced trunk space and no folding rear seat.

Prius (liftback) problem, I think, is so many people do not want to consider that shape of a car and be labeled as a 'Hybrid' driver. But, if Toyota veers from the Prius format, the magic MPGs and interior space will suffer.

I still think Toyota's best bet is to keep the Prius shape and size and vastly improve the interior design, makes the seat, controls, st. wheel, armrests, touchpoints layout to world class standards, improve the power to weight as able and offer a ore taught and resposnsive handling with lowr center of gravity. It also needs an exterior design that will 'age well' as they say. Seems Honda has that down pat with current (2013+) Accord a great example.

 

I note that my dealer installed heated seats for ~500 usd.

 

We have an 05 Accord sedan 4 cyl 5 spd automatic LX in the house. My last tank was 23.x MPG, but the prior tank was 29 MPG. The 23 mpg was from lots of short trips.

I like how the Accord is more robust cruising 75 mph on freeway. But, in heavy urban traffic, the drivetrain is dated: Gas engine propels the car, brakes slow it down. the front seats are so thick, the dr. seat could really stand to slide back another notch or two for my 35 (36"?) inseam legs. ( can wear 33 w x 34 l jeans though)

Bottom line: 2005 Accord is a good, basic car, but nothing really excels

Prius MPGs are stupendous: I get 55 MPG on every tank all though summer and Fall.

But, Prius seating awkwardness with its 'leaned too far back at low height settings' has really stunk for these three years.

Bottom line: I kinda sorta like driving the Prius, but not nearly as much as I'd like to. But, it gets great MPGs, is paid for, reliable and not the time to replace. I don't see a smoking gun of a car to replace it with, yet.

 

Remember what came before the heavily stigmatized minivan? It was the heavily stigmatized wagon. Guess what is back! The wagon is becoming popular again. We could see it coming too. To make a SUV more aerodynamic without sacrificing a lot of the interior space, they transformed to wagons.

Notice how sedans need to become more aerodynamic and how there's a demand for an increased interior space? Slope the front a little and raise the back a little, you've almost got hatchback. Look closely. You'd be surprised. The back roofline of the Hyundai Sonota already resembles Prius.

The reputation of "hybrid" driver being a stereotype will continue to fade away as more and more are seen on the road. In areas with heavy saturation of them already, it's emerging as a non-issue. After all, there are more and more SUV owners who mocked Prius that we no longer hear from anymore.

Prius will continue to be upgraded as it continues to build reputation. Just think of what the next-gen rollout delay will do for the older generation. More of them seen on the road will further reinforce its standing.

 

Each to his own, but the Prius' looks were a positive factor for me. I liked the high tech look.

I'm still adjusting to the fact that I now own a car that gets better mileage than my motorcycle [BMWK1600GTL].

Doesn't really matter to me if somebody disses me for driving a Prius. I'll just jot down his license and blow his doors off with the BMW.

The point is that, for many people, the Prius is a fabulous solution to the problem of getting from Point A to Point B economically and reliably. That isn't the only problem in life, so there may be better solutions to other problems.

But I tend to have this problem more often than going fast.

My wife has a Mercedes C class. I like the Prius better in all aspects other than acceleration. The Prius gets twice the gas mileage, though.

Even with lower gas prices, gas is still a precious and costly liquid.

 

The Prius looks like an electric iron;


A white Prius

A white electric iron

 

I should know better than to engage, but come on, Grumpy, I didn't say any are "close" to the Prius, I said they've "closed the gap", big difference. And many have. A lot of people opt for those other cars for price, power, style and any number of other reasons.

And the Civic, Sonata and others have a profile that is very close to the Prius too, though the Prius still is distinctive enough to recognize its profile and unique rear end. Being new to Prius, I do have trouble recognizing them head-on though in my rearview mirror.

 

Just remember Grumpy, imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.

 

In your situation, I would recommend the Camry Hybrid (either the LE or LXE). It is very comfortable and gets great mileage. The Prius is great but, it is not as comfortable and it has more road noise than the Camry. Don't get me wrong, I love the Prius but my TCH is so comfortable to ride in. I love that about it. If I could afford it, I would have got an Avalon Hybrid.

 

I have a 06 110,000+.I only drive short trips 5/10 miles 3or 4 times a week. yet I have avg. over 55 mpg Ihave a block heater and enginer 4 kw . In the summer 65 mpg in not unusual I am 86 and have had many cars lincolns,cads. buicks fords Chrysler fiat ect. I have never enjoyed a car as much as this onetrue the big ones were a comfort to drive but fixed income precludes those. Is fun to drive and has more bells and whistles than all the rest put together .money saved on passing gas stations is great GO PTIUS

 

^ Block heater is a good strategy, in particular for low mileage owners. We've got it, use it virtually without fail for first start up of the day.

Another strategy is to consolidate errands into one trip where possible.

Yet another: leave the car At home, just walk, for really short trips.

 

So 17th century. Get a bike!

 

That's so 20th century.

Get an electric bike.

 

Good thought, but navigating the roads on a bike scares me. Like being grounded.

 

That is a beauty, USNSgt

 

I bought my first E-bike some 5 years ago, and loved it in the hilly terrain around my home. Now the areas where I bicycle are pretty flat and the E-assist is not needed.

 

It flies too. About 35 mph top speed (34.8 is the max speed I've hit). Ride it to work as much as I can. It is a lot of fun. This one is a mid drive so you can use assist, total e-drive (no pedaling) or no assist (all pedaling). You can also shift gears while in any mode which allows for the most efficient use of the electric motor.

This one is home made by me.

 

Wow.
Do tell, please.
Battery config and cost ?

 

I'll pm you, we're taking over this thread.