Hi everyone, I currently don't own a Prius but I am highly considering this as an option. After emission/engine issues on my 07 GMC Envoy and now oil consumption issues with my 2011 Acura MDX, I'm basically fed up, I'm batting a big FAT ZERO. The Acura dealership told me that burning up to 1 quart of oil for every 1k miles is within specs, okay, maybe it's within "THEIR" specs but that's not good and completely unacceptable, imho. The dealership is doing a oil consumption test, it doesn't matter though, after the service rep told me about their oil consumption spec I'm just ready to blackball Acura/Honda across the board. My question is, how comfortable are your Pri's and for any of you in the snow belt area's how well does the Prius handle in the slush and snow? I work late at times and want to make sure I can not only get out of the parking lot but home safely. I'd be looking at the latest Prius. Thank you advance!
The Prius 2016's and newer are very comfortable, a 10 way power/heated adjustable driver seat and telescoping steering column make a huge difference. As for driving in snow and slush (Chicago) I would say it just as good as any front wheel drive car. If you are concerned with winter driving I would swap out the all season tires for winter tires in winter months. Personally, I am just using the all season tires year around.
I would caution that the heated Softex seats may be OK, but the fabric seats on the lower trim levels are uncomfortable. There is a user video showing the Prius navigating in the snow.
"Burning Oil" - is difficult to judge these days. My last 2 cars (diesel FORD Fiesta and Focus) didn't use a drop between (15,000km) services. My PRIUS with almost 9000km is still at HIGH on the dipstick. But an acquaintance with a VW Golf had to check his regularly and added oil often - but VW insisted it was within specs. My brand new 1974 VW used some oil, and the handbook actually detailed an "oil consumption" rate. But an engine builder I knew always maintained that an engine is meant to use some oil, and that if it didn't, lubrication could be compromised as the engine requires a micro layer oil to coat moving parts which will burn over time. He insisted on calling it "using oil" rather than "burning oil". These days, oils are thinner than they used to be, the tolerances are tighter, but I wonder if the thinner oils are more likely to be used. As the miles increase on an engine, it is normal that oil consumption will increase, as the engine is actually wearing and tight tolerances will increase. The type of driving will have a bearing on how much oil is used - steady long runs on flat ground could use less that at high loads up and down hills. Lots of cold starts will likely increase oil use. SEAT COMFORT - there have been quite a few posts of people who weren't happy with their seats - I'm happy with mine, they're not the most comfortable I've had, but I can get into a reasonably good position. You'd be best to take one for a test particularly looking to see if you are comfortable.
Yea, my next step is to test drive some of these cars. On the oil consumption, it's just too high for my preference. The MDX has only 66k miles on it and I can't get to the next due oil change without the low oil light coming on, which takes me to the 30 to 40% mark. Whether they admit it or not, something is wrong and Acura/Honda lost my confidence and my business if the problem is not fixed. The service rep was just too quick to dismiss my concerns, like I don't know how to check or monitor oil properly? Maybe Honda/Acura Corp. has gotten lackadaisical over the years? The vehicles I'm considering is the Prius and the Ford Focus, maybe the Ford Fusion. The Prius has really piqued my interest because I've never seen a car like this before, very unique. I'd have to say, overall, comfort and reliability are my two biggest factors in this purchase. (Okay, my wife just informed me three people at work got rid of their Acura's (two of them had MDX's) because of oil consumption issues.) Needless to say, for someone who likes to buy vehicles for longevity...I'm not happy at the moment. My wife has a 13 year old Acura MDX with no issues, doesn't even need oil in between oil changes...smh...I don't know.
Although it is larger, the Hybrid Camry would likely be more comfortable, right @bisco ? He has a Hybrid Camry as well as a Prius.
This is an old post, but still relevant to Prius ownership. considering a Prius | PriusChat The gen 4 has less issues with traction control and the 12 volt battery is now under the hood.
hybrid camry is very comfortable, as is the fusion i'm sure. but they are nothing like a prius, two different worlds really, except for the hsn.
I liked the Camry Hybrid - reasonably economical, but I wanted a HATCH, and Camry Hybrid had a restricted boot with no fold-down back seats like many other sedans. And yes, the Aussie built Camrys had great seats, better than PRIUS. But a substantially larger car, and wouldn't comfortably fit in my carport.
Yea, reading about different cars, for example the Fusion, Focus, Camry, nothing seemed like the Prius. I was also amazed how high tech the car appears to be, it really encourages "better" gas mileage.
no question. the other hybrids have hidden everything in hopes of staying 'mainstream'. btw, at 2 buck gas, the deals are really good right now. you want a plug with that prius?
I'm thinking the Prius 4, maybe the touring package. As mentioned above, hatchback is also very important, groceries and the dog, just makes life easier then a regular sedan.
... plus helping children shift house!!! Which was my task on Tuesday - fitted an amazing amount of boxes, bikes etc with seats folded.
Note there is a difference in cargo capacity between models if cargo capacity matters to you. Two, Three and Three Touring have spare tires and thus a standard sized trunk (officially rated at ~24 cu ft). Two Eco, Four and Four Touring have no spare tire (tire repair kit) and therefore their cargo floor is lower and have a larger trunk (officially rated at ~27 cu ft). TSS-P is standard for 2017 on all models (includes Pre-Collision System w/ Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist and Automatic High Beam System).
Hmmmm. thank you! I might have to stay within the Three/Three touring just for the spare tire. I've gotten 4 flats and 3 of them had to be changed of the four in the last 20 years. I'm also not keen on fix a flat type products that may harm the tire sensor. A mechanic years ago told me that fix a flat can affect the balancing of the tire, he said they're supposed to clean it off when changing out the tire but he added no one does. Said, falls into you'll never see it from my house attitude.
The seats in the Prius aren't really comfortable, but good enough. The ride is soft and cushy, which I love.
