Thread repository for ALL non-PriusChat 2016 Prius reviews

But with an even worse front passenger seat. The 2012 I rented a few years back was fine on the driver's side, but the identical-looking passenger seat sat like a damned lawn chair. Today's decontented U.S. Passat is just a cheap mid-size car; probably better than the now-defunct Mitsu Galant and perhaps the Chrysler 200, but given the big improvements in recent Fusions and Malibus, I think I'd prefer anything else in its class. These days I walk right past 'em on the Emerald Aisle without a second thought.

 

Well, review was about brand new Euro Passat which won every comparo I ever saw as being the bestest car in the world!

So it is very surprising that the "best" Euro sedan with normal engine option (unlike GTE from comparo which nobody buys) lost to the Prius in European magazine.

 

Nice in Blue! 2016 Toyota Prius Touring Edition - This ain't your Mama's Prius

 

Thank you!

I have long suspected that "Ars Technical" was the Internet version of 'Esquire' and between the article and comments, my opinion has been re-enforced. They would give a glowing endorsement to a well dressed corpse.

Bob Wilson

 

Toyota USA

 

I just put my first video review on vimeo. It covers the cargo area. I wanted to put something up showing loading a golf club bag and other things like sleeping in the cargo area for those that may want to use it for camping. It is at vimeo.com/164477543

Here is a photo of a golf club bag in the 2016 Prius three
View attachment 109371

 

2016 Toyota Prius 4 sdot79

 

Houston Chronicle's tech columnist really likes the Gen 4:

Review: 2016 Toyota Prius Four - TechBlog

"But the Prius line remains the butt of jokes among auto enthusiasts. It has a reputation for being poky, boring – both to drive and to look at – and for being behind the curve in terms of design. But the new, redesigned 2016 Prius will change some of that. Toyota is even bravely touting it as “fun to drive,” and while that certainly depends on how low your fun bar is, it’s a lot more interesting than previous models. So much so that, when I finally turned mine loose after a week spent reviewing it, I wanted to run out and buy one."

Fun story:

"I was backing up in a parking lot that was shaded by a large tree with vines hanging from it. I backed toward a vine and the car’s proximity warning system began beeping frantically. I knew this was a harmless plant so continued backing. When I got about an inch from the vine, the touchscreen – which had been showing the image from the backup camera – suddenly went red with big white letters spelling “BRAKE!”. And that’s what the car did, HARD, so I would not hit the vine behind me, which the car apparently mistook for a toddler."

 

A clear case of de-vine intervention.

 

Glad you liked the review. It's a GREAT Prius. First thing I did after returning the review vehicle was check my payoff amount on my Corolla. Sadly, not do-able yet.

I almost wish Toyota would provide new owners of cars with this safety tech with a quick 60-second video that shows how it works. The cruise control governor and the pedestrian avoidance braking were jarring and unsettling when I first encountered them. Yeah, they're in the manual, but you know how manual wording can be - it's not really clear just what happens.

 

Yeah that's why people come to forums like this. Something about poorly translated technical owner manuals just doesn't convey how things really work. On the other hand those safety features, specifically PCS, have saved my butt a couple times.

FYI, one complaint I have about your Prius reviews is that you always mention mpg as if it is the only motivating factor to buy a Prius. A large percentage of the folks who have been buying and driving them for over a decade, and who now want to keep pushing towards electric cars, are just as highly motivated by environmental concerns and a desire to try to help cut down on air pollution (especially in a city like Houston). Of course, it didn't hurt that the early Prius also had cool tech for an economy car of that period.

I really like your Tech Blog for its down to earth take on computers and technology, so please don't slow down too much after your recent health scare! Good Luck!

 

A nice read: Driver's log: One week and 59 mpg with the new 2016 Toyota Prius - Roadshow

The review's best summary:

What's more interesting is that I didn't have to do anything special to make these numbers happen. I didn't employ any special hypermiling techniques. I stuck near the speed limit and used the hybrid's "Eco" drive mode for most of my miles, but I certainly didn't drive like a miser and followed the flow of traffic like I normally would in any other car when faced with the sort of boring commuter driving conditions that most of us are familiar with.​

Bob Wilson

 

Maybe already posted elsewhere here, or in PC, a review that use Jorin posted on his forum here:
Driver's log: One week and 59 mpg with the new 2016 Toyota Prius - Roadshow

 

Another review from Ars Technica, reported by user Jorin on his german Forum:
Review: Toyota’s redesigned Prius in the real world | Ars Technica