Doing some research....

The Prius 2016's and newer are very comfortable, a 10 way power/heated adjustable driver seat and telescoping steering column make a huge difference.

As for driving in snow and slush (Chicago) I would say it just as good as any front wheel drive car. If you are concerned with winter driving I would swap out the all season tires for winter tires in winter months. Personally, I am just using the all season tires year around.

 

I would caution that the heated Softex seats may be OK, but the fabric seats on the lower trim levels are uncomfortable.
There is a user video showing the Prius navigating in the snow.

 

See Driving in snow | PriusChat

 

i think toyota considers 1 qt/600 miles within specs. search; 'is your engine burning oil?'

 

"Burning Oil" - is difficult to judge these days. My last 2 cars (diesel FORD Fiesta and Focus) didn't use a drop between (15,000km) services. My PRIUS with almost 9000km is still at HIGH on the dipstick. But an acquaintance with a VW Golf had to check his regularly and added oil often - but VW insisted it was within specs. My brand new 1974 VW used some oil, and the handbook actually detailed an "oil consumption" rate.

But an engine builder I knew always maintained that an engine is meant to use some oil, and that if it didn't, lubrication could be compromised as the engine requires a micro layer oil to coat moving parts which will burn over time. He insisted on calling it "using oil" rather than "burning oil".

These days, oils are thinner than they used to be, the tolerances are tighter, but I wonder if the thinner oils are more likely to be used.

As the miles increase on an engine, it is normal that oil consumption will increase, as the engine is actually wearing and tight tolerances will increase. The type of driving will have a bearing on how much oil is used - steady long runs on flat ground could use less that at high loads up and down hills. Lots of cold starts will likely increase oil use.

SEAT COMFORT - there have been quite a few posts of people who weren't happy with their seats - I'm happy with mine, they're not the most comfortable I've had, but I can get into a reasonably good position. You'd be best to take one for a test particularly looking to see if you are comfortable.

 

Although it is larger, the Hybrid Camry would likely be more comfortable, right @bisco ? He has a Hybrid Camry as well as a Prius.

 

This is an old post, but still relevant to Prius ownership. considering a Prius | PriusChat

The gen 4 has less issues with traction control and the 12 volt battery is now under the hood.

 

hybrid camry is very comfortable, as is the fusion i'm sure. but they are nothing like a prius, two different worlds really, except for the hsn.

 

I liked the Camry Hybrid - reasonably economical, but I wanted a HATCH, and Camry Hybrid had a restricted boot with no fold-down back seats like many other sedans. And yes, the Aussie built Camrys had great seats, better than PRIUS. But a substantially larger car, and wouldn't comfortably fit in my carport.

 

exactly. comfort, and still 40 mpg in our current winter weather.

 

no question. the other hybrids have hidden everything in hopes of staying 'mainstream'.

btw, at 2 buck gas, the deals are really good right now. you want a plug with that prius?

 

Yes, bisco's Prius is a plugin. The 2017 version is totally redesigned and called the Prius Prime.

 

... plus helping children shift house!!! Which was my task on Tuesday - fitted an amazing amount of boxes, bikes etc with seats folded.

 

The seats in the Prius aren't really comfortable, but good enough. The ride is soft and cushy, which I love.