Sloping beltlines are actually a very common design nowadays, to hide a couple things. The first thing they hide is Camaro-esque high beltlines, adding visibility while not compromising side impact safety much. The alternative would be a beltline like the F-150 has, where the front windows dip down to add visibility. The second thing they hide is some high rear end aerodynamic styling. The Prius doesn't need to hide it as much, as it's using the aerodynamic styling to be more distinctive, but it does help hide the shape on sedans.
@JohnF I've sat in one, our nearby dealership has one demo, but no, haven't got on the road. To be fair, I can't even recall looking back during that sat-in. And yeah, our 3rd generation rear visibility is not so good.
Guys, I was an ardent critic of this design after the initial release and early reviews. The exterior design is growing on me. I now think this car looks good head-on and from the side directly. I'm still 'pained' by the Prius butt though. What I really initially hated was the ugly porcelain toilet trim on the inside. When I saw how the interior could be made tolerable in black with the ugly white bits covered up, I was able to enjoy the rest of the car and actually buy it. It drives and rides as nice as a bigger, more expensive car and the fit and finish is better than the old Prius. My best friend who is an Acura/BMW fanboy said he loved the front fascia of the car and also thought the interior looked upscale. You know what his favorite part was? (unbelievably) ... the piano black trim on the dash with Darth Vader and the touchscreen! I have to admit that the more I've used the car and examined the quality of the interior I think it is more upscale than my old Gen 3 Prius.
Subjectively for me...the Gen I was butt ugly, Gen II...butt ugly, Gen III...not as butt ugly, Gen IV...back to butt ugly. Choosing cars is like choosing a partner in life. You look at the big picture, realize there is no perfect and accept compromise. What one calls a trophy wife, another would never consider. It's just a choice that you make.
Perfect camera angle to show that sweeping beltline I like so much! The light color accentuates it nicely too.
Right On..Yes it IS all about the LINES! The Gen4 looks like Emperor Hirohito after he signed the surrender agreement in WWII!! I'll never know why they made the Gen4 so ANGRY AND FRUSTRATED LOOKING. That is the reason I'll replace my Gen2 Touring with a Gen3 Touring. The lines on that are flawless and the car truly looks like it's moving even when it's standing still.
I just came in from washing mine - rubbing the wash-cloth along the deliberate curves and angles, I could feel how the air is directed around the car. I don't see many Gen 4s on the roads, but lots of Gen 2 and Gen 3 - which look like a frumpy old person in comparison. And - there is no comparison driving the two - when I bought my Gen 4 last year, I drove Gen 3s, and it felt a generation behind my existing car (FORD Fiesta) - and the Gen 4 is quite up to the minute as far as driving feel is concerned.
More & more Gen 4s here. I was one of 4 in Trader Joe's parking lot this afternoon. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
I love my new gen IV. I've religiously washed it every week... something I haven't done since my 2008 MINI Cooper S with viper stripes. Sure, it doesn't handle as well as the MINI, but it does have a double wishbone suspension and gets 50+ MPG! Did I mention I love this car?
Please don't tell SAMANTHA - I've convinced her that 3 monthly washes are the norm, she's fine with that. In fact, she got a bit thingy this morning - I woke her up early for an unscheduled wash, because she had been dive-bombed by a Flying Fox (bat) yesterday. (not my actual car - and maybe a different bat too)
The next gen Prius, not due for several years, may be quite different. Toyota recently promoted a British born designer to be design chief: Toyota's Sony-Loving Design Chief Bets on Buses and Supercars - Bloomberg Edit: link fixed. Thanks Mendel
For some reason that link's not working for me. Try this: Toyota's Sony-Loving Design Chief Bets on Buses and Supercars - Bloomberg
