Poll for your reaction of the Gen 4 - so far.

I keep looking at the '16 and trying to decide if I like it overall. I like the front and side view, can't warm up to the rear yet. I'm luke warm about the changes to the dash and console, but I simply HATE, HATE, HATE that steering wheel, I mean turn my stomach HATE it. I couldn't live with a car that made me think I was driving a GM, and that steering wheel just vomits GM to me.

 

LOL, vomits gm. well said.

 

It will remain to be seen after viewing a G4 in the showroom, but from photographs, there are aspects of the 3/4 view of the rear end that remind me of the oft criticized Pontiac Aztek. The triangular "bumper" the straight rear panel, topped by the large lower rear window, topped by the straight rear spoiler. In photos, the rear appears too tall, and out of proportion.
Time will tell.

 

When the Prius III came out I found the Prius II exterior nicer. I did not like the line on the side so much and specifically the rear end gave me the impression of being "over the top". However, my appreciation changed over time, and by the time the Plug In was available I liked the Prius III model much more than the one of Prius II; I bought the Plug In spring 2013. Again the rear end of the Prius model IV feels a bit "over the top", compared this time to both earlier models. For me already now the rest of model IV feels nicer than model III. I expect that after some time to get accustomed to the image, I will prefer model IV as a whole more. And if the specs show indeed almost 20% better efficiency and double EV range for the Plug In version, I will most probably consider upgrading from model III Plug In to model IV Plug In.

 

I have a photo of my current Gen III below, looks great to me, but I like Gen IV's looks a whole lot more already!

 

3rd gen Prius has more of a 'cutesy' look to it and the 2nd gen Prius even more so. 4th gen Prius looks chiseled, more aggresive, lower and wider.

3rd gen Prius IMO not so great for 'shorter than 6ft. driver's: Driver's seat doesn't really lower all that much. Sure, it goes up and down, but it doesn't seat a tall driver down enough into the car, Word is 4th gen Prius fixes that.

 

You got that right; that's exactly my impression. As soon as decent gen 4 pictures starting coming out, I started looking at gen 2, noticing this progression. Not sure who they're targeting, wonder if they even know.

 

Looks to me like they are targeting the Anime market. Might appeal to a younger Japanese buyers demographic.

 

i'll be standing in line, like it's the new i phone.

 

I'm afraid it won't be that easy for me. First I'll want to sit in one to check out the seating, the ingress, and egress. Then I'll want to find one that fits certain criteria.

1) No toilet fixtures in the cockpit.
2) No sunroof
3) Yes spare tire
4) I'll want to buy it through the CostCo auto program.

It might be a while until I can find one that fits all of those characteristics. I suppose another variable will be the color of the car. Since the last three cars I bought were white I doubt if my family will let me buy another white one.

Another factor will be the ECO model. Let's say it comes out with Li-Ion batteries, gets 60mpg, and costs $3K more. I'd have to think about that. Of course if it doesn't have room under the floor for a spare it won't be my choice.

Then there's the plug-in. If it gets 30 miles EV, chages in 3 hours, and has a spare, I'll have to consider that one as well.

So for me it won't be as easy as standing in line and buying the next one that comes along. That is exactly what I did in 1,999 when the new Honda Odyssey came out. I searched for two months before I could even find one. I bought the first one I found.

 

yeah, i f there were a better car available, i would feel the same way.

 

Well, better's relative, isn't it? Aside from the porcelain nonsense in the interior (and we're now aware of some mitigation for that), aesthetically I have no objection to the Gen4 (taillights included). My entire concern is how well it will meet my needs. Thing is, we were ready to move on from our 2005 Gen2 hb LAST year, holding on only to see the Gen4 (not being fans of the Gen3), so I'm pretty sure we WILL be getting a new Prius next year. Right now I don't know if I'll be buying (probably) a Gen4 hb or leasing (probably) a Gen1 v. Not unlike jdonalds, for me it all depends on how well the practical attributes line up with my preferences.

 

absolute relativity.

 

White interior trims, not just for high-end vehicles anymore!

 

is that 'b' for bisco?

 

the front end of a lexus look ok, but the back reminds me of the failure of pontiac aztec.. that looks hideous.. same lame 55 mpg, i was expecting 60 plus.. i'll keep my gen 3 and possible pick up a lef over gen 3.. not worth the darth vader dash.. keep your eyes on the road not the busy dash..

 

I have a 220,000 mile 2007 touring looking to upgrade soon. I was feeling bad about deciding to possibly switch to a tesla model III for my next car. Will have no second thoughts now after seeing the gen 4. Very displeased. Also very upset at Toyota's stance on electric cars.

 

it's so weird looking, that B must be for Bozo...

As bad as the porcelain throne interior is, is it not better than that god-awful bridge? My 2004 was rear ended and totaled so I replaced it with a 2011. I hated the bridge so much i traded it for a 2012 C. That also got rear ended and totaled, now I'm in a 2014 and desperately want something without the bridge and was planning on dumping it for the 2016. As mmuch as I like tthe prius, i have serious reservations on the 2016, but if the interior isn't as bad in real life as it is in the photos, it's a done deal. otherwise, i too may wait for the tesla III