Gen 5 Prius and Model 3 reviewed together: A highly biased review from a Tesla fan/owner

Nice enough and he brings out an important observation: renters do better with a hybrid when there is no overnight parking charging.

There were a few nits but nothing worth posting time.

Bob Wilson

 

it's interesting, because in a recent post in the reviews thread, an engineer claims that prius body and interior are top notch.
the interior thing got me, because they've always been so cheap and rattly

 

Then why the hell did you post it?

 

And unfortunately not easy to remove posts as I’ve found out. : }

 

I believe this is a pretty honest review. He didn’t trash Prius. His observation of loud engine noise is so true from an Ev owner perspective…. I rented ModelY for a week and I had the same feeling that any ICE car producing significant engine noise.

I also believe that the is The Arch Enemy which is not allowing Toyota to make absolutely perfect inexpensive commuter cars. And this Enemy is Toyota itself. I.e. Toyota intentionally using cheap materials and component in a base models and gradually improving their quality within a trims and from Totyota to Lexus. For example, a trash sound systems in the base models and “upgraded” Jbl sound system is worst then stock Vw or Mazda sound. Toyota trying to steer their customers toward more expensive trims and then into a Lexus.
Same story within Lexus line. My gx460 “Lexus premium sound” had a crappy paper cone speakers, so to push people to pay for a Mark Levinson , which was packaged at significant premium.
So, we should probably thank Tesla and not Toyota for this new Prius design , as Tesla and Kia raising the bar for the base models amenities and material quality.
Idk what games Toyota is playing, but I was not able to test drive new Prius for two month now. I called 5 local dealerships and Toyota directly - no help. I was not able to test drive Rav4 Prime ever… I.e. at least for two years.

 

To be fair you always get the “worst of both worlds” and “best of both worlds” at the same time. I don’t have to watch the video to guess what was talked about. A plug-in hybrid would suffer the shortcomings of a BEV like needing a plug, reduced performance in cold weather. And it of course needs oil changes, spark plugs, etc. All the maintenance an ICE needs.
In the end it’s personal preferences.

 

Yeah you are 100% correct. I do my own maintenance in the garage so I am all very familiar with this. The biggest up side with an EV is no annual oil change. If I have a Prius Prime I wouldn’t really mind changing the oil once a year, rotate the tires once maybe twice. Change the brake fluid every 4 years. ATF every 6 years. Differential fluid, brake pads, rotors, shocks…I’ve done about everything myself. I don’t let anyone make a dime on my maintenance. The only things I can’t do on my own is tire changes, alignment and those where specialty tools are required.
I am already doing these to 2 ICE cars, 1 being a hybrid. The Prius or a model 3 is going to be the 3rd. So not having to change oil annually is still a benefit because I don’t keep 0W16 in stock. Changing ATF is not an easy task too. It is needed for ECVT transaxle. Besides there is no denying model 3 drives better than the Prime in EV only mode.

 

On top of this, add the poor reliability of Tesla, which will require very expensive repairs outside the warranty window.[/QUOTE]

You cannot beat Toyota for low true cost of ownership if you own the car for 5 years or longer.
My 2012 Prius C is probably all time winner…
I have 198k miles, free oil changes , free battery replacement and free car washes for a life.
I am on my second set of brake pads, tires and spark plugs….

yeah, and Toyota is only car brand which I can confidently keep after b2b warranty expires.
I.e. if I like my Toyota I keep it for around 200k miles =10+ years.
Maybe this is thing of the past. Technology changes so fast nowadays.

 

You edited the post to say it wasn't worth watching... same edit could have removed the media reference altogether.

 

It’s not going to develop a problem within the drivetrain warranty period if you don’t change the ATF. But if you want the Toyota to behave like one long term definitely change it. I do agree ECVTs are much easier on the fluid.

 

I have 198k miles, free oil changes , free battery replacement and free car washes for a life.
I am on my second set of brake pads, tires and spark plugs….

yeah, and Toyota is only car brand which I can confidently keep after b2b warranty expires.
I.e. if I like my Toyota I keep it for around 200k miles =10+ years.
Maybe this is thing of the past. Technology changes so fast nowadays.[/QUOTE]

Wow…what dealership did you buy from? Free battery changes for life? Mine gives free oil change but that’s it.

 

mine gives free donuts

 

If I drive 40 mins to the next Toyota dealership, I can get a manicure and free key fob batteries. If I’m in the area and need batteries, I stop by. : )