2023 Prius LE Problem

I am comparing the 2023 Prius Prime SE to my blue 2021 Prius Prime Limited; so, there are a lot of downgraded features as well as the color.

 

Bet the first thing you noticed was the top of line 21 Prius Prime Limited vs the entry level 23 Prius Prime SE.

 

Obviously aesthetics are subjective. Personally my eyes and heart gravitate towards a Mini Cooper, Jeep Wrangler or a vintage VW bug. I cringe when I see a Lamborghini or a Corvette. Not attractive looking at all to me. If someone gave me one, I would have to trade it in immediately. Now a vintage Spyder or Speedster would be a different story. Oh and I can’t leave out the heartthrob MG.

Major downgrades of Gen 5 Prius XLE (not Prime in my case).
Low seats/low entryway
19” expensive tires
Smaller cargo space/cheap ridiculous cargo cover
Decrease in cabin view (front and rear)
Back door handle design
Crooked rear center headrest. Ha!

But of course you have all heard this from me already. : }

Aesthetically it’s on the edge of my comfort zone. I do like the more streamlined look but I think they compromised comfort and utility too much. Oh well…my budget is limited so I’m focusing on fuel economy and 3.0 safety features for now and the most reliable, somewhat fun to drive (relatively speaking) option out there is a Gen 5 Prius.

BTW I wish the cutting edge paint surface had that steel look in the daylight. Nighttime viewing only. : }

 

I had a silver '69 MGB, exactly like this one:



While I loved it back then, it just don't compare to my new ride:

 

That was a beauty. : )

I’ve had a very long love affair with VW beetles.

 

It is, and there are a lot of very good-looking cars out there. If I were solely shopping a car based on looks, I would skip Gen 5 Prius without hesitation, as I have seen it on the road three times, and on two of the three occasions, it failed to impress me with its small headlights and taillights and econo-car-ish styling. On one occasion, a white Gen 5 looked impressive from behind with its Tesla-like shrunk and round cabin, which is becoming a thing these days, but even that is subjective.

The main appeal of Gen 5 is 19" wheels, which makes it look sporty, but I think that's about it, and hopefully people will not notice how narrow the tires are.

 

My parents had a '58, which I attempted to learn to drive with. I grew up in a small town with steep terrain, and recall trying to parallel park on a steep hill with that thing...

 

I don't even consider the higher Gen 5 trims because of the lower mpg and shorter BEV range. Moreover, they are cost-prohibitive.

 

Congratulations on out-exaggerating everyone.

To be proud of ones ride is not strange. What IS strange is seeing someone go to great lengths to diss the Gen 5 to make themselves feel better about owning a 21 Prius.

 

It is strange to be replied to one's post after so many days, especially after having been replied to a later post first.

There is no exaggeration or going to great lengths, but I understand that questioning people's brand-new rides can be offensive, especially for those with a thin skin.

Nevertheless, rest easy—you have a great car. So do I. So does the guy with the Camry Hybrid, which scored 94/100 in Consumer Reports road test. So does the guy with the Ferrari. Etc., etc.

 

My apologies. Didn't realize there was a time limit for responding to posts.

 

Of course not, but I got the impression that you were offended by my reply to you, and you chose to reply to my reply to another poster instead of replying to me. Anyways, no worries. Enjoy your car! There is even still a chance that I may trade in mine for a Gen 5 Prius Prime SE if the economics looks right, but the used-car prices are falling and I would lose some Limited features. I am in no urgent need, as I like my blue Gen 4 Prius Prime Limited.

If you ask @Salamander_King, who comes from Gen 4 Prius Prime, Gen 5 Prius Prime is truly cost-prohibitive. I am a lot more receptive to the idea of getting one than him.

 

I just saw another Gen 5 Prius on the freeway today—a red upper-trim HEV model. It was tailgating a car and was being tailgated by a Kia (?) sports car (Stinger ?). It exited to South LA before I was able to get a better look.

I was thinking what car it was until I figured out that it was a Gen 5 Prius. I only got a rear view of it. Sorry, @Preebee, but again, I failed to be impressed in aesthetics. The deep rear-fender cut is particularly objectionable. The Kia (?) behind it shined like a diamond in comparison to it.

Ironically, one reason I got the Gen 4 Prius Prime was that I always got impressed by its rear looks when I saw one on the freeway before I bought one for myself.

In any case, my buying decision won't be based on looks.

I don't see how the Gen 5 Prius is better-looking than my Gen 4 Prius Prime. I feel like Gen 5 is a fallback to Gen 2/Gen 3 in looks with a smaller cabin and cargo area:

 

Subjective. I actually like the looks of both pretty well. I have not driven the Gen 4 but am fairly certain that the Gen 5 is a MUCH more fun car to drive. Handling and power are substantially better, unless you don't believe the 1,000 YouTube reviews. And having driven the Gen 5 I can say with certainty it is FUN to drive. Although I wish the engine didn't sound like a toy when you are in HV and hitting the pedal. Not to mention the huge improvement in EV range.

 

Of course it is subjective. And I think the looks of Gen 5 are more appealing to those who favor sporty cars.

My 2021 Prius Prime Limited handles very soundly with confident and precise steering and little body roll/bounce/shake. I am glad to hear that Gen 5 has even better handling, but I wish I could drive one to see it for myself.

Incidentally, my 2021 Prius Prime Limited handles a lot better than my 2020 Prius Prime XLE did. I have no idea why. Because of Dunlop tires? Because of TSS 2.0? Because of new steering adjustment?

 

Sorry you're still suffering man. But you're on an island alone with your opinions on Prius aesthetics. And There's nothing at all wrong with taking the road less traveled in life, unless it's the equivalent of driving the wrong direction on a one-way street. This looks like that.

I've told you before; you've gotta walk up to a G5 to be able to appreciate it. Having one fly by on the highway, isn't going to work. These are small cars. But in a parking lot, they will take your breath away.

 

The difference in handling between a G4 and a G5 is like going from a dump truck to a Corvette. And that might not even be saying enough.

 

But you yourself is parked on the wrong side in that pic.