EV Boost feels like driving a V6

That's how I figured out that the ICE performs a warm up cycle before providing actual drive power, even when you're accelerating. All the motive power still comes from the traction battery until the ICE has finished warming up.

 

Wait, what is EV boost mode? Just driving in HV when you've got an EV range charge? If so, I can't say that I get the same feeling as you, though I never drive above 60mph, and most often below 45mph because of traffic.

 

No. It is more like drive in EV mode then exceed 62 mph...thus also using the ICE.

Mike

 

Well, I guess that explains why I've never experienced it.... I've never driven the car at that speed!

 

The nature of my commute is such that I almost always have more EV miles charged from the wall than I have non-highway miles in which to use them so I have been using the surplus during EV boost on the highway for several miles. I experience the same sensation as usbseawolf describes once the engine has run up to temperature. It's a very smooth power delivery.

 

I call it smile boost, during my commute.

 

I think Toyota needs to do a better job of marketing the performance aspects of electric drive. There is something very satisfying about the way near-maximum torque is available at all speeds. The Tesla has been marketed that way, and BMW is showing us that in the i8.

 

I was on the beltway yesterday and was able to open my PiP up and was pleasantly surprised with the power delivery at 65+. Almost feels like a baby turbo.

 

I do this on freeway also... Just wondering... If you keep using this EV turbo boost... Would the battery worn out?

 

Actually, it could last longer. When the engine joins in at faster speeds to contribute power, you'll notice that the draw-rate from the battery is reduced. Each 1.0 mile of estimated range will be consumed over roughly 1.5 miles.

 

Yesterday I passed another vehicle on a long mountain straightaway (one lane in each direction). I typically use the car for commuting and rarely find a reason to test the acceleration limits of the PiP.

I was in EV mode initially, then passed the vehicle around 65 mph. Asking for sudden, strong acceleration would have triggered the ICE regardless of the 62 mpg threshold. But I must say, the car can really move when asked to, even at this high starting speed.

 

Is EV boost recommended or is it better to save that EV juice for city driving?

 

I'm sure that if the internal combustion engine hadn't been the dominant power supply for automobiles for the last 120 years, and we were all accustomed to using something like steam or electric power, we would find the ICE unacceptable.

The power-curve, which only delivers full power gradually, as RPM increases, would seem like a real pig, and the fact that a gearbox transmission is required, would have taken it right off the table as a possible contender as an alternative power source.