Thread repository for ALL non-PriusChat reviews of the 2017 Prius Prime

Talking Cars with Consumer Reports #115: Sleeper Hits, Prius Prime, and the Impact of EVs

 

Thanks! I didn't realize they'd adopted YouTube reporting since their printed articles are behind a paywall.

Seeing them in video confirms Consumer Reports anti-Prius bias that so permeates their attitude since the Gen-1. Once CR decided they didn't like the Prius, it led to several false claims of which the worst was when the calculated the 'pay back' but did not include the tax credits available at the time (still pissed at that one as we were subscribers!) We dropped our CR subscription about five years ago for additional problems with their 'score', MPG metrics, and hubris about documented EPA testing versus their closed (at the time) procedure. Still pissed about the last one!

About this particular show, the viewer question was reframed in terms, megawatt hours and green house gas which is quiet different from the original about cost of electricity of the plug-ins. My sympathy is for the caller's question so I'll answer the question in the YouTube comments . . . after I calm down.

So this is what I posted:

CR substituted a non-answer for the user's question so I'll take a stab at it:

"Are EV and hybrid batteries more environmentally friendly than their gasoline counter parts?" - Yes they are as the Union of Concerned Scientist reported November 12, 2015:
Gasoline vs Electric—Who Wins on Lifetime Global Warming Emissions? We Found Out - Union of Concerned Scientists
. They are half the cost of the equivalent gasoline needed.

"How are the batteries being recycled afterwards?" - There are multiple battery chemistries and one of the first, the nickle metal hydride batteries are actively being recycled because the contents are so valuable (ask Mr. Google.) As for the various lithium ion batteries, the value of the chemicals are so low, recycling costs more than the value of the recovered elements (again, ask Mr. Google.)

"Has there been a significant increase in your electric bill?" - We bought our first plug-in hybrid, a BMW i3-REx, in May 2016 and our home electricity cost went up ~$20/month for about 1,000 miles per month. Had we driven our 52 MPG Prius, the monthly gasoline bill would have been ~$38. Based on our local electricity rate, $0.10/kWh, and gas price, $2/gal, our plug-in hybrid cost about 53% of driving our 52 MPG Prius, gas hybrid. For more details, see me at PriusChat.com​

Bob Wilson

 

Does anyone notice wind noise from their Prime or Euro equivalent? I get what sounds like slight wind noise from about 35mph and it increases with speed. Thegreencarguy's review says:

"Wind and road noise, except for the hum of the low rolling resistance tires, was almost imperceptible."

What is your experience? Maybe my Windows aren't quite sealing or my door seals and this is a warranty issue? Your views would be useful in helping me discuss this with my dealer. Thanks.

Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.

 

iirc, someone put electrical tape over the window seal. is there a small triangular window? i can't even remember if it was a prime. pretty recent thread though.

 

Keeping in mind my 67 year-old ears, love how quiet this car is compared to my 2012 PIP. Wind noise not a factor til over 85mph. The tires, Toyo Nano blah, blah, blah, IMH opinion, suck: noisy (boomy), terrible grip. I'm going back to Michelin ASAP!

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can't remember, wish i was better at searching.

 

found it! 'how to reduce wind noise...easy too.' @Southern_nj

 

i must have missed the towel solution, was it elegant?

 

thanks, and that towel can come in handy in any number of circumstances.

 

Thanks!

This is strange, the 5-60 mph time being longer than the 0-60 mph time. Hummmm.

Still, one thing they got right:

This is the brilliance of Toyota making TSS-P standard. Both Chevy and Hyundai use their equivalent to load up the price with car 'bling.' Toyota learned that lesson with the Gen-3.

One late thought, C/D compared their "MPGe" and not the gasoline "MPG":

• 54 MPG - Prius Prime
• 42 MPG - Volt

Of course I don't read "Car and Driver" except at the barbershop any more than "Consumer Reports." However, the editorial and staff turnover at "Consumer Reports" has me looking at them on the magazine rack ... some days. Then I remember CR's recent YouTube review.

Bob Wilson

 

Bob, you know what I find really amazing about the Prime is the extremely quick acceleration of the Prime from stop; I easily out-accelerate everything I go against at stop lights, when in EV mode. It performs a hell of a hole shot!!. Of course, we don't have Porsches and Corvettes here in my area; most vehicles here are Lumber Wagons, Led Sleds, Stupid Useless Vehicles, and Land Barges!!

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I agree. That and the tight steering, and incredible turning radius, makes it very nice to handle. If they could improve the road isolation a bit, it will be ideal for me.

 

Kind of a review and kind of a comparison of the Prime and Bolt and Volt. Looks like the Prime is picking up in sales over the Volt. Good things to say about the Prime.



Emerging EV Sales Battle In The US: Prius Prime vs. The Bolt | CleanTechnica