Is Gen4 an Aztec of 2010s?

The problem with an electric car is, it won't do the job.

I have a 2004. If I get 10% from each generation, over my 52mpg long term average, the savings over 150,000 miles is almost 500 gallons of gasoline.

And saving gas is only one reason to get a new car. In my case, another reason is because I will soon have a new driver in my house. Another is that my 2004 is 11 1/2 years old and has 137,000 miles on it.

I didn't buy my Prius to save gas over my 35mpg previous (and current backup) car. I bought it because I was about to have a son (the new driver I was talking about) and a 2 door sports coupe isn't the best for access to a baby seat.

But if I'm going to buy a new (or used) car, I want it to be at least as good, if not better than the old one in most ways that matter to me at that time. I have used, and continue to use my Prius to haul large amounts of stuff and people - stuff that wouldn't fit in an Avalon, much less a Camry. I have had two SUVs and I really don't like the high seating position of SUVs and crossovers, so the RAV 4 is probably out of the question. Lousy mileage and high step height compared to my Prius, so it would be a downgrade anyway.

So, in the next 3 years, I'll probably buy a Prius. Toyota has (so far) made two major errors with the new Prius - lousy interior storage and not bringing the E-Four to the US. These errors may drive me to a G3 over a G4 but I'll reserve judgement until I see and drive one. If it's a major ride and quietness upgrade, and I can find ways to live with the storage flubs, I may choose it. We'll see.

 

Why wouldn't I be able to?

There are very few "pretty" cars. Go to a classic car show (I used to own a show car) if you want pretty. New cars are just mass-produced consumer transportation devices. They aren't pretty and I wouldn't buy one for "pretty", nor would I exclude one or sell one for "ugly". My Dad used to own a blue and white Pacer X. He also used to own a beautiful red '68 Charger 383 four-speed. You buy the device you need at the time to perform the task at hand.

 

yes, but i only keep my cars 4-5. really, you get too worked up by looks. it's all about mpg's. and yes, a 10 % gain is huge, not anywhere close to irrelevant. when fossil fuels are a problem, 55 mpg will be king. for now, politics rule the day. you might as well buy a hummer.

honestly, what were you expecting? 75 mpg? you're being ridiculous.

 

and you'll be getting it. unless you buy a mazda or hyundai. i wouldn't settle of equal, what's the point. you're not driving an attractive car, get over it.

 

In what *objective* way is it not at least equal, other than internal storage spaces?

The specs and other information we have so far make it look better in almost every way.

 

same was said about gen III, lost storage, flying bridge, rattles. yeah, we get it. it's still the best mpg's, period.

 

I didn't replace my G2 with a G3 because the improvements, though measurable, were so subtle and minor as to be not worth it.

The G4 looks to be a MUCH bigger jump.

 

no question. it's obvious to those with open minds and no agenda.

 

But speculating about the the increased mpg, handling and such at this point are still just speculation. The only solid we have so far is what it looks like.

 

You mean "opppinion" ...

 

I have no doubt that this is true in your case but it won't be so for everyone.

In my case, the jump from Gen 2 to Gen 3 was more significant than any jump from Gen 3 to Gen 4 could possible be. The reason is that the driver's legroom in the Gen 2 was sufficient for me to drive for any distance.

The Gen 2 is a great car for many people but not for me.

 

I live a mile high, and have drive a fully (I mean to the ceiling) loaded 2004 with two adults and two kids in car seats over the Eisenhower tunnel approach and over Vail pass many times.

I don't know if you can seat 5 adults in Gen 2 since I always have two car seats back there. I will tell you this. I carry around model airplanes all the time, one of which fits my G2 touching both rear doors at the same time, wing tip to wing tip. So I went and measured the same width on a G3 - 5/8" wider. I doubt 5/8 of an inch makes any difference as to whether or not 3 adults or 2 fit back there. That's less than the width of my thumb.

When I drove a G3, I couldn't tell a performance, power or responsiveness difference to the G2 and the test numbers support that there's really almost no difference. Edmunds says, "Fact is, though, several of the second-gen Priuses have come very close to our 2010 Toyota Prius test car's 17.3-second quarter-mile time and 79.7-mph trap speed."




Merged.

It remains to be seen if actually performance is less, more, or equal. It's lighter (not heavier) with less rated peak power than the G3. This likely means about the same performance, the same as the G3 to G2 difference.

Total storage volume is increased by about 2 cubic feet. The problem is how they divided it up.

It looks to have more head room in the front and about the same in the back.

It's claimed to be quieter with a better ride (my only two issues with my G2).

It's claimed to handle better, though there's nothing wrong with the handling of my G2 in the first place.

Should have better front and side visibility.

It seems to include better overall technology, including safety features and detection, LED lighting, and E-Four if they ever make it available.

I can't see a way it's not equal to or better than the G3 other than the lack of internal storage locations.

As for styling, the outside is, to me, greatly improved despite the nasty fog and tail lights. The inside is a wash with the location of the shifter an incredibly ugly design and everything else looking pretty good. Overall, I think the G3 interior was a step back from the G2 which is another reason I never bought one (I like the bridge, though).




Merged.

Driver's leg room is a big deal? I'm 5'6" so it's not for me, but I have a friend who is 6'7" and it's not a problem for him.

 

We're using about 2/3's of a tank monthly, spending around $30, with current Canadian gas prices. If the new Prius is 5% more fuel efficient, that's a buck or two difference. That's so small it's eclipsed by vagaries of price fluctuations, seasonal mpg ups-and-downs.

For me, mpg improvement would be mainly ego boost. That's not to say it's not real, it's fun to improve mpg, but you need to see it for what it is.

And handling improvements? I've never had a car that felt more planted and steady than our 3rd gen. Yeah what do I know, but it's fine by me.

Toyota is smart enough to see the current customers as complacent, and is looking for new converts. In all the wrong places?

 

agreed. but to expect more than 10% is being unrealistic. at this point, all toyota can do is try to stay ahead of the competition. it's still the best bet for those who want the best mpg's on the market.

 

Speaking as someone who has some experience in design, I think the upward body crease at the rear door of the G4 is "unfortunate". No amount of realistic modding can eliminate that. In my opinion the lower body crease on the G3 is much more flowing. The rest of the G4 design I can live with...subject to some relatively simple but substantial modifications. Overall, I prefer the G3 design to the G4 design, but I wouldn't kick the G4 out of bed!

 

I would....drunk or sober.

Beauty is only skin deep, but ugly goes all the way to the bone!!
I'm sorry Toyota, but I can't hang with you on this one.