Full load Prius and hwy merge/uphill

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(nowatch @ May 25 2007, 06:01 AM) [snapback]449705[/snapback]</div>

Not sure what a crossover is, but we also have an Outback Automatic, and the Prius outperforms the Outback in every way, acceleration, merging, and climbs hills better, loaded, or single driver. The only thing the Outback has is traction, in slippery conditions, and my wife likes the higher seating position. The Outback gets 18 mpg, 49+ for the Prius. The outback is her 12 mile a day car, the Prius is my 90 mile a day car. No worries.

 

Just my opinion, and let me preface this with I love my Prius, it's a joy to drive, and for being such a small car it holds quite a bit of stuff.

The sticker inside my door says the weight capacity, cargo and passengers, is 810 lbs.

The Prius is slow as a snail from a stop. It has no zip. But it is what it is and that's a fuel efficient car. Don't get me wrong though I can easily do 80 mph on the freeway, but passing someone on a curvy country road, you'll need some room.

In context I'm use to driving big V8 SUV's and Van's. Also I can also say even my full size Chevy Van with a V8 is kinda slow off the line as well.

I'm talking normal driving too. I suppose if you were at a stop light you could floor the Prius and get a little better acceleration.

If you want a hybrid, the Prius is the only way to go.

 

I've driven from my house in NJ across PA to my wife's family outside Cleveland, OH with my family of four and a fully loaded cargo area (passenger weight ~585 lbs) - there are some pretty good hills on I-80 in PA, and I had no problem.

Also went up to Belleayre mountain w/same family (I kinda like them) with my hitch-mounted bike rack with ski/snowboard atachment, 2 snowboards, one set of skis and a cargo full of the associated sport/weather gear. No problems with acceleration; I didn't slow anyone up and felt no nervousness merging onto any road/highway.

Averaged ~46 mpg on both trips. More money to ski/board!

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kcoruol @ May 25 2007, 08:55 PM) [snapback]450139[/snapback]</div>

What are you talking about? Prius has 28 hp battery pack for the launch. It is like launching with 2,500 RPM rev up every time. In addition, there is no delay due to torque converter because there isn't any. The result is like a 2.0 liter dispalcement ICE only car -- not slow or not fast.

Prius accelerator is pretty linear. Pressing the pedal alittle does not jerk the car off the line. Not over-sensitive like ICE only cars.

 

I live in the mountains of SoCal at about 5500 feet and have no problem driving up with a full load of "stuff" or three adults. The Prius has lots of power. In terms of safety - no trouble getting on the freeway, and I have to say that (just having my first Prius- 3 weeks old totaled as it sat innocently parked on the street) even though the outside looked awful, the inside was in absolutely great condition. That car did exactly what it was supposed to do in an accident!

Sue

suefourmet

 

I wouldn't exactly say that you'll be overwhelmed by the Prius' acceleration power (except perhaps when you accelerate from 0-10mph). But it's usually more than adequate, if you're thoughtful and have a bit of foresight.

It's got a lot of torque, which means it accelerates quickly from a stop. But there's not really a lot of horsepower, which means that it's not as adept at higher speeds/long hills. But, at low speeds, it can feel a *lot* faster than it really is.

My biggest beef is that it takes the car a half-second or so to gather itself up when I mash the accelerator pedal to the floor (like when passing on a two lane road). It's almost like turbo lag, if you've ever experienced it...non-linear throttle response...just enough time to wonder if there's something wrong with the engine...then, a sudden rush of power (whatever there is), and wham! off we go.

Once you've felt it a few times, it won't take you by surprise; I hardly even think about it now.

 

I just took 3 women and all their luggage to Pigeon Forge in the Smoky Mountains for a week's vacation. We drove on the X-way at 70 mph with no problems. Phoebe had plenty of zip and she had no problem keeping up with the big boys. Oh, and she averaged 49 mph in 800 miles of fully loaded mountain driving. Of course, part of the reason for that mileage is that I noticed her tires are bald. Phoebe needs new shoes. :lol: