What I don't like about the Prius Prime

Currently I can sell them back for 11 eurocent/kWh. But using public chargers I usually pay 40 eurocent/kWh or more.

I have the idea that the remaining value of the Prime after 5 years will be much higher than that of the PiP, which is 9 years old by then. But such things are hard to estimate.

 

Personally, I'm with you both when it comes to the fifth seat when it comes to cars of the Prius' size or smaller. A bench would be better for dogs, but they won't complain.

The issue arises about the fifth seat is that if the Prime was intended as a step toward a plugin for the masses. many of those masses have kids, and a car seat mounted in the center rear is the safest place in the event of a crash, and also easy to visually check on the kid while driving. Then there the masses that have more than two kids.

The first Volt was criticized for having only 4 seats, and it was a more luxurious appointed car than most Chevies of that size class. The second gen might have gotten the fifth seat in by name only in regards to adults, but it does work for child seats and small children.

Since the gen2, the Prius has been a great, all around family car. The gen4 continues this. The Prime losses it by ditching the fifth seat. Going by the photos, and the fact that the Primes battery is about half the capacity of the gen1 Volt's, it appears less likely 4 seats were chosen because of the battery than for some other reason. If it was to be a luxurious Prius model, I don't have high hopes about it being competitively priced.

Ideally, the charge port will be where it is the least amount of hassle for the driver to pug in daily. That's why near the driver's door is common. But the Prime's two main markets are going to be a LHD one and a RHD one. So the rear is a likely a good compromise if you don't mind backing into your garage in this market.

I agree about about the Prime vs. gen1 used price, but new plugin incentives hurt used ones' prices.

 

Yeah I always heard stories and viewed Prii as a family friendly and eco friendly car. Not really luxurious, but very cool. Not like hyper techy like the Tesla either.

The 5th seat deal - I'd rather have the option (like the Gen III) to put it down for nice cupholder or what not. The car is wider than the Gen 3 so why not have that option. Three cramped adults, fine, 3 children including 1 car seat great. Since it's a luxurious 'lexus' type car, how is this going to be under $34k? With the LCD alone I feel like they might be aiming for $35k+.

I don't like how the PiP turned into a luxury brand...120 MPGe is the step in the right direction, but since was a Prius luxurious? Step in the wrong direction IMHO

 

22 miles?!?!? I was expecting at least 30. I mean the 1ST GEN Volt has 38 miles for crying out loud and the new Volt has 53 miles of all electric range.

The whole point of the Prius plug in is electric range. Am I missing something here?

 

I think your are. VOLT is designed as EREV. So EV with a generator. But Prius Prime is a hybrid with a plug. VOLT is great as a comuter, but the Prius is a better long distance cruiser. But they are too similar that they cross shopped.

The only concern we don't know about is the price. If it cost more after gov. incentives, then Volt is the better car for the price.

 

to really make a dent in the market, the base model is going to have to come in around 25k after tax incentives, imo.

 

The Prius PHEV is meant to strike a balance between efficiency and usability. The gen1 may have had disappointing EV range for many, but got slightly better highway fuel economy than the hybrid that got better with grid electric power. While only losing the spare tire and under floor storage space.

The gen1 Volt lost the fifth seat, and some cargo space to that large pack. The gen2 improved in range and space used, but a similar sized ICE car still beats it on space and seats.

The Prime has 22 miles of all electric range, and can keep the ICE off until it gets 80+mph. A pack large enough to provide that would require more compromise than in the gen1, even with improved battery chemistries. So it loses some cargo space. The loss of the fifth seat is still a bit of a mystery, but we won't get answers at this time.

 

17" wheels will hurt the range so no point complaining about range and wanting bigger wheels at the same time. I have to pay extra to buy 15" wheels for my Leaf because they put 16" wheels on it at the factory.

This car "Prius Prime" has a 8.x kWh pack. I've seen 8.2 and 8.8 tossed about, no telling what it really is but lets call it 8.x for short.

The leaf has a 24 kWh pack and either a 3.6KW or 6.6KW charger.

You can charge this Prius to the same percentage with 3.3KW as a Leaf with a 10KW charger that isn't sold. No need for a faster charging method, the charging time is so short.

So 1 I'm glad they used 15" wheels, 2 I'm fine with the 3.3KW charger on the Prius.

 

One of the reviews stated like 'based on previous..should start @ $30k..and drop $4k with federal incentives' ... if Toyota follows GM they will raise the MSRP most of the incentive amount ..last go around the base PiP was $10k more than pkg 2 and advanced was $3kish more than pkg 5

Uh, it has a special carbon rear deck with double wave rear window and the 11" infotainment and 4 LED headlamps ...

They mention it will be priced aggressively but maybe that just means it won't be more than original advanced..or 2014 adjusted advanced

Also to me the name Prius Prime implies singular ..so maybe only can order one way: fully loaded .

 

the last go around was a test. either they learned their lesson, or they don't care to sell that many. time will tell.
the carbon fiber and led's and 11" screen are great. but you can only attract so many flies with honey.

 

Apparently the first generation plug-in Prius cost the same as the level III trim for the third-generation Prius liftback.

It will be interesting to see what happens this time around. The larger capacity battery pack in the new Plug-in Prius will qualify it for a larger federal tax credit. If it's more affordable than before it should sell well, especially since it will now be available in all 50 states.

However, if it's really affordable it may undercut sales of the higher-level trim packages for the new Prius liftback.

 

a dilemma, wrapped in a conundrum.

 

Re: turn signal mirrors.

Walk through video. They are shown several times.

 

there are reflectors on the mirrors, does he actually say turn signal mirrors?

 

And that is what I do every day. It would put the port within 5ft of my plug.

 

i'm already set up, so it makes no diff to me. the L2's come with a long cord, so you can run it along the ceiling and drop down by the charging port.

 

Even if you have length problem, just buy jlong from Tony Williams. It is an extension cable for J1772 plug. He sells it on Amazon now.

And those wanting a charging solution, Tony Williams also sells a customized Tesla portable L2 charging solution with J1772 plug.

 

Then that is sad, as even the basic Prius C's got side mirror turn signals. Maybe it will become a trim level include in the PiPP at the upper end. I am hoping.

 

aussies get turn and fold. standard.