I'm driving the 2016 Prius next week. What do you want to know?

What do think about the looks? <ducks and runs>

OK, seriously I'm interested in your personal feedback on how it felt, etc.

 

• The 0-60 time with how many bodies in the car and their estimated weights?
• Engine rpm and coolant temperature gauges instead of the unit-less graphics (i.e., the silly spinning wheel, idiot coolant light, and power flow arrows.)?
  
• EV button maximum speed?
• Does 'forced charge' still work?
• Will you get to drive or is this as a passenger 'drive'? (i.e., with a minder so it doesn't wander off to Georgia for an 'extended' test drive)
  
• Slowest speed for cruise control? (Today 23 mph)
  
• Does the "Check Engine" light come on when the tank runs dry or something similar?
• Does "R" beep outside the car too? (i.e., something useful for that pedestrian warning noise)
  
• Is the 'instrument' display still 'cold cathode' with fixed electrode or is it something more flexible?
• What is the maximum range speed?
• Does it display MPGs > 100 MPG?

Make sure your cell phone has a track recording and/or GPS recording apps running and audio recording too. Put microphone part in close contact with the body of the car so we can reverse engineer the engine RPM and other interesting, audio-mechanical metrics. You know, put it on the dash or glove box with a little sticky tape to keep it from sliding around. <GRINS> (Probably too obvious.)

So if I loaned you a 3-axis accelerometer (Gulf Coast Data Concepts), could you turn it on and wedge it in a fixed location? With the X,Y,Z axis data, we can reconstruct the vehicle motion during the test drive.

Bob Wilson

 

Anything about the RAV4 Hybrid if you are given the opportunity.

 

I'm OK with waiting until the embargo is over to get the data. <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

How does it do on long, hard climbs? My Gen 2 just discharges the battery fully before the engine goes to full throttle and high RPM, leaving me no ability to accelerate. It would be nice if the engine worked hard enough to keep a passing reserve in the battery.

Is there anything under the front seats in any version?

How's the HUD, and is it available in every option package or only those with stupid stuff I don't want like leather seats?

When is the 4WD version coming to Colorado?

 

Well obviously any first driving impressions you can give, coupled with comparison to previous Prius incarnations.
Maybe even things as generic as seat comfort, ergonomic layout.

Nearly everything else, I think I need to evaluate when I get the chance to see it in person.

 

Don't get overwhelmed and forget to reset the trip computers for your own economy numbers.

 

My main interest is in your subjective impressions about the issues that repeatedly come up on the forum:
1) Does the acceleration and overall power feel improved (or worse) than gen 3?
2) Is the ride and handling noticeably better in corners and over bumps?
3 ) Does it really seem quieter overall, especially is road noise less on moderately rough roads such as on old asphalt?

Also:
Why no E-4 here? Could it come to the U.S. and Canada in the future?
Does the Eco setting make a real difference other than the accelerator mapping? (In other words, is it more useful than in the Gen 3)

Finally, I agree with bwilson4web that I would like to see RPM.

I find the "eco-judge" (which I experienced when renting a Prius C) to be distracting and useless. Any way to turn that off and still display the hybrid system indicator page? I would love to replace the eco-judge with a tach.

 

Will they let you pop the hood and snap a pic or two? Probably not. Hmm. Then, driving impressions, feel, noise, look of the dash gauges when underway.

 

Can moisture, (ie morning dew) be cleared from the outside window by lowering then raising the window. There should be a tight gap between the rubber molding and the window glass unlike the two Gen 3's I own. A small item, but it would be nice to know if Toyota could design in this feature like many other cars. Thanks in advance.

 

When is similar event coming to the East coast?

I am sure you will cover the obvious ones. Here are some that you may miss.

How does the horn sound? Still puny?

How is the noise maker in EV mode?

 

Anything about Gen 2 PIP, and that Prius Prime!

 

I would like the following information, and your observations

1. 0-60 time with full battery, and completely drained
2. 50-70 acceleration time
3. 1/4 mile with full battery and drained battery
4. Coasting, is it much easier now at higher vehicle speeds?
5. How quiet it is relative to current generation, during acceleration, and 70+MPH cruise?
6. Is there real gain in cargo space, or is this gain because of removal of spare tire, and lower storage area?
7. Seat height changes, impact on getting in and out of the car.
8. Steering feedback? Is this still as dead and as bad as current gen, or does it have some semblance of feedback?
9. Last but not least, suspension improvements including rear, lean in the corners etc.
10. This one I will leave it to your option..

Thanks...and hope to see info soon..

 

I have a Gen II Prius and a long commute (27 miles each way). The Gen II seat is not very ergonomic and I often get back pains.

I would be interested in the ergonomics of the new seat. Does it have lumbar support?

 

Power seat memory?

Also, when are we going to be informed about the huge discount on the gen 4 for those of us who post on the forum (like the secret one for the gen 3 that I missed out on)?