Detroit News article The Prius is conspicuously absent but there are some interesting little tidbits about hybrids in general. The cost issue still overshadows the real benefits of a hybrid but it seems like a fair assessment of the hybrids on the market. Two of the bits of information were that the Ford Fusion hybrid are that they're now saying that it won't be out until next year (always next year with Ford and GM isn't it?) and that it will be a two-mode system.
It's not an unfair article, but I still take issue with a few things. Really? Maybe I need to spend more time in other types of cars. This kills me... yet another reviewer who doesn't understand how these things work. Another reviewer who thinks it is best to drive around all day on battery power. I don't know what he was doing during the test drive but I certainly get my best mileage rolling along at 30 mph with P&G and no stops. Tim
Is my Prius correctly built? My speedometer is not in the middle of my dashboard (that's a Mini Cooper!). Should I ask for an exchange? What does this guy usually drive? I don't find the interior of my Prius cheap or cramped- even the leather seats don't change that impression of my 01 Blazer (I know, I know). Oh, this is the Detroit News after all...
I agree in that the prius really doesn't feel all that cheap inside. My mom's friend who just purchase an 08 saturn Aura has cheaper materials in her car. While the prius looks smooth, her car looks cheap. (material gaps, odd sizes pieces together.. odd materials interlacing)...
I have driven a number of different cars in my lifetime. From new and used to American and import and everything in between. The one constant in all of the Japanese automobiles has been quality. Not just from an engine/drivetrain standpoint, but in the (perceived?) quality of the interior materials. Everything from the knobs and buttons to the way they feel when used. If my perception of this quality is due in some way to the Japanese automakers' pulling the wool over my eyes, then I accept that. Someone would need to show me proof, however. The vehicle I traded in for my Prius was a 1994 Nissan Quest. This automobile was a joint venture from Nissan and Lincoln-Mercury. I have a good mechanic friend that works at a local Nissan dealership. I used them almost exculsively for my repairs. My friend knew everything about this vehicle. In 14 years, EVERY repair that was necessary was a Lincoln-Mercury part or process. The Nissan's parts worked flawlessly for 190,000 miles. This, along with the other experience I have with Japanese cars has convinced me that the Japanese cars are by far a higher quality vehicle. They are not perfect. Things do break down on them. Just not nearly as often as the American cars. I strongly disagree with the author's viewpoints on the quality of the interior. I will say, however, that my wife is Japanese. She is high quality also. I guess that taints my opinion.
I have an older artist friend who is a car collector. At the present, he has about 25 cars, ranging from a Cadillac convertible with parade boots to a Porsche 911. The first time he went for a ride in my Prius he was blown away by the experience. He was equally impressed by the "brushed plastic" interior, or whatever you care to call the hard plastic interior panels on the Prius. He thought the interior was fabulous. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Tom
No it's real that they are higher quality. Here's proof: Labor bureau: Japanese man, 45, died of overwork - Yahoo! News
The author writes that the Chevy Volt is the holy grail, but a recent column in the Wall Street Journal reports that the Volt will cost $40,000 and GM will never make money on the Volt. Furthermore, the WSJ article states that when the Volt's battery is low and the gas engine starts, the gas mpg will be quite poor because the gas engine runs a generator which in turns sends an electrical current to the battery. There will be no direct mechanical linkage (like in the Prius) between the gas engine and the drive train. It sounds like the Volt is being developed so that it will be easier to have the government (using our tax dollars) bail out GM so that GM won't go bankrupt!
I don't know what Detroit cars this "journalist" has been driving, but my coworker keep a box in the back of their GM to collect the part that fall off of their luxury interiors. I test drove every car, and the Prius was by far one of the best inside for space and appearance. The only cars close were 35K or more or other Toyotas.
The $40K Volt is probably the base model with limited range of 20miles, there will be upgrade options to 40mile for $55K and 60 mile range for $75K. The Li battery cost twice as much as NiMHi at ~$2 per KWH. A 30KWH pack will cost as much $60K. Don't expect it will be a high volume hybrid.
My only gripe is with the interior; it feels cheap and space is cramped. It's as if Toyota needed to cut a few corners on the materials to make up for the expensive powertrain. Obviously the detroit tool that wrote the article never sat in the new Malibu as the Prius has more head room, more front seat leg room, more rear seat leg room, and more trunk room ... but maybe he didn't want to talk about GM cars made in Mexico, Canada, etc . .
Sorry, but your first post here is quite incorrect. Care to share the erroneous source? Ideas for other configs have been tossed around, but never a price provided. 40-mile (ideal condition) range is the base and only model currently being planned. That is thought to be around $40K. .
The thing I like about Toyota is that they know how to make something cheap look and feel expensive. (maybe except the Yaris where you definitely know the plastics are there to keep the costs down). But look at how the cupholder operates with a damped force (larger one), the gloveboxes feel like the hinges are solid plastics rather than thin and hollowed out. Our Camry was definitely one of Toyota's best example. The buttons were all painted in this satin/grey colour with a nice sheen to it. They had a nice click to them and felt solid. Even the cruise control stalk feels better (compared to the Prius). They look the same but I assure you they feel different.
I think the Prius interior rocks except I am still so baffled they did not include the mechanical seat height adjuster for the driver's seat. Other than that, I really like the ledge for left arm, and the center console for the right. I like the patterned dash in the Prius. The seat bottom could be a wee bit more substantial ... I notice the lack, having long legs. Bottom line - Prius is the most popular selling hybrid in the world.
It cost me $90. to drive in a hybrid from Fl to OH,,gas was 3.00 per gallon at that time. Try to beat that in one of the gm,ford or Chrysler gas hogs. I don't think its about cost justification anyway its about saving the great USA from going down the tubes and being owned by some foreign country. WE NEED TO GET OFF FOREIGN OIL, however you can.
