Next car suggestions: new Prius or not?

I would check out the new Camry hybrid. It is all new and gets a combined 52 mpg. Very spacious, and over 200 horsepower to boot!

 

Only the 2018 Hybrid Camry LE gets 52. The fancier hybrid trims are much lower. The LE is usually pretty nice, though.

 

rav4 hybrid is pretty easy on gas, as is the avalon.

btw, i agree with all your points.

 

I second the new Camry Hybrid! I have to admit the new Camry is very nice... *drooling*

 

I'm considering trading up from my 2016 Prius. It is a great running car, and the gas mileage is excellent. But I find it to be uncomfortable on long trips. It is difficult to get in and out of because it is low. I am tired of the front end scraping on dips and driveways. The outward/rear visibility is not good. It has never been a quiet car.

I owned a Camry in the past and really enjoyed it. It was just the right size. Had great trunk space. No major repair issues in 11 years of ownership. But the V-6 engine got terrible gas mileage. The 2018 Camry has a new platform, suspension, engine, transmission, hybrid system, better gas mileage, etc. Even the non-hybrid gets 28/38 MPG. It sounds good. I sat in one at the dealer, was a little disappointed, I was expecting more room.

I am going to wait one year, until they get all the recalls out-of-the-way, and then go rent a 2018 Camry for a week. Give it a good test. I just find the Prius to be too confining, plus the fact it gets no respect on the road! If Toyota made a hybrid pickup truck that got mpg in the 40s, I would go back to a truck. I don't think I would ever buy a Prius again. Pretty good car, but after two years I found out it's just not for me.

 

Should have taken my own advice, and rented a Prius for a week or two before I purchased. I'm not knocking the Prius, but I feel like I am driving a "Disneyland Car."

I also want to wait, and look at the new redesigned Corolla when it comes out. 2019?

 

I'm going to pay of my Prius and find a used truck for those times when I 'need' it.

 

Toyota does have a rental program in place. Type in zip code to find participating dealers. Hopefully one of them will have the car you are looking for. A hybrid at Enterprise, Avis, Hertz, etc, will be difficult. Toyota Rent a Car

There are many times I want to buy a beater full size truck for the occasional repair/home improvement project, and convenience of transporting a large item from the store(s). However financially, it makes no sense. Cheaper to rent a pick-up/mini van from Enterprise, or hit-up friends with trucks/mini-vans.

 

Chevy Bolt or Tesla Model 3? These two cars would make sense if your daily commute is under 200 miles one way.
Ideally your work place has an electric charger. Your residence allows you to set-up an electric charger. You have a second car for long trips, or can rent a long distance car.

Bolt starts from $37K, before the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit.

 

I haven't had much to do with earlier PRIUS, but I find visibility to the rear is actually quite good with my 2016 - a lot of modern cars have swept up side windows which cut visibility, and the split rear window is great when the car behind has too-bright headlights..

Other options?

In the next couple of years, I'm guessing we will have a plethora of options which aren't here now - just about every manufacturer is aiming to have a Hybrid, PlugIn Hybrid or Full Electric car - if not all 3 - as soon as they can get them released. The thing I wonder - will they have the reliability that TOYOTA seems to have.

You mention knees and entry/exit - maybe you could check out some of the smaller SUV type cars, some of which are easier on knees/backs etc. The PRIUS seats are OK - just not great. I'd try before you buy & check they suit you.

 

We enjoy our 2000 Tundra but that model has grown in size. If we replace our truck we would look seriously at the Toyota Tacoma.

 

Ditto on the cheap small truck.

Sorry I bought two Prius's.

One was enough for anyone.

Now if they made a Prius truck!!!!!!!!!!!!! Like the old VW Rabbit truck.

 

What do you call a Prius hybrid combined with a pickup? The Pruck (w/video) | Tampa Bay Times

Unfortunately, wrecked. Good insights from @Ruudh in the Eplilogue.

Prius Light Duty Truck ("the Pruck")

 

That's the one. Side windows are over kill.

 

They decided they were lucky. Removing the side airbags was not a good idea. Here is a picture from the Epilogue.

EDIT the image is not showing. Drivers side from quarter was hit.

 

Maybe the KIA niro? Or a ford cmax. Not the best gas mileage but up high seating and powerful acceleration

 

It sounds like you may not have learned how to adjust your side mirrors to eliminate blind spots. For some reason I'm having trouble posting a link, so here is how to find the info: Go to Car and driver dot com/ features/ how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots

In my experience, with mirrors adjusted this way, Prius visibility is quite good.

Of course, that doesn't eliminate your other complaints.

I'm holding out for the next generation (2019) RAV4

 

The 2017 three touring model i just purchased has blind spot monitoring on the side view mirrors that are very helpful.
I found exiting difficult but bought a Car Cane from Walmart.com for less than $10 and that solved that problem.