Prius vs. Lexus Hybrid

Are your friends Camry hybrids the old Camry hybrids, 2011 and older, or the new 2012 and later? Big difference in style, driving, fuel economy, power and new trunk is bigger.

2013 Cam Hy XLE in a spicy color?

We have a lot of freeway and steep grades through hills here. Camry Hybrid will eat these up. Prius, not so much. btw, Prius performance package buys no more HP.

After year and a half with my 2011, can say Prius needs some more power to be more like a 'regular' car.

 

If it's Prius for you, the Five is the hottest package with its 17" wheels, tighter steering ratio, power softex seats, LED headlamps, etc....

 

Just say no to the 17" wheels and low profile tires; they make the ride horrible. I'm so, so, glad I graduated to normal tires in my PIP.

 

I've long thought the 45 series tires on Prius Five are too low profile. Those kind of tires are usually reserved for cars like Civic Si. They seem a little out of place on a Prius.

 

No doubt they are prettier and give firm handling, but the hit to mileage and the constant jarring are not worth it.

 

Interesting dilemma trying to chose from this set of cars. Prius Four, Camry, Avalon, Accord and Lexus hybrids. A Chevy Volt and even the C-Max. Quite a list. But no one has mentioned the new Ford Fusion. World class car, decent hybrid power, and EPA numbers that don't seem so bad at 47/47/47. Can't verify that it can reach them since I haven't driven one yet, but I did make a quick stop to see one at a dealership lot a few weeks ago. It's a good looking car with a well designed interior.

It's certainly another hybrid car to consider.

Rear visibility in the Prius is only limited by a relatively thin wing panel. Won't hide anything. Backup camera clears things up in reverse. Can't beat Prius for fuel mileage, but the interior plastics hold it back when compared to most in this group of cars. Very happy with ours so far and it's our second Prius.

 

Fusion hybrid has some weaknesses. Trunk space is compromised. 12V battery takes up width, and the hybrid battery cuases an odd shaped bi-level trunk floor. Trunk space is not nearly as clean nor big as Camry hybrid trunk.

Well known the fusion hyb doesn't get anywhere near the 47 figure. Fuelly showing 37 average among owners.

It's a good looking car and the interior is really nice looking though. If it's a black interior, there's a lot of black in there.

Have fun finding the steering wheel release lever. The hardest one I've ever (somehow ) found on a car.

 

Talking with other Prius owners [each time I take it in for every 5,000mile servicing]; I think it is a common annoyance.

I have found that the rear hatch shape collects snow/ice. The rear wiper cleans a small part of the window, but leaves the snow to build-up on the flat area. Then the lower window gets caked with grime.

Overall that is the only thing I do not like about the Prius.

 

Some other models you may want to consider are -

Acura ILX hybrid
VW Jetta hybrid

they are both all new models which have downsides plus lot of people don't like VW reliability and Honda's hybrids don't sell well. But the Acura at least is upscale.

I thought Nissan is bringing back the Altima hybrid also. Nissan is known for a bit sharper handling.

Sure you don't like CT200h? Nice looking car, but I noticed the center console is too wide and cuts into right legroom. Other reviewers have noticed that too.

Or get the Prius Four w/ solar roof