Featured 2G Prius Plug-in Reveal - March 23 @ 9:10 am EDT - Live Stream here

Yeah...the 2016 Volt makes no sense at all to me. Tiny rear seat, 40mpg, 8.9 gallon gas tank, gas-only range under 400 miles.

Prius Prime - full-size rear seat, probably close to 60mpg, 11.3 gallon tank, gas-only range over 600 miles.

 

If the 120mpge is combined, and I'm guessing it is with the higher EV speed, then it is up there with the i3 BEV, Spark EV, and Golfe.
The was a little shorter than I was hoping, but I think it is at that good balance point depending on the rest of the package.

50 states is the big one.
My list of why 4 seats is very short; keep payload weight low by one person. The Volt does is because of the battery tunnel, but it appears the Prime doesn't have that concern, so it looks like they went with 4 seats just because.

EPA space overall is more than the gen3, but the gen4 has 3 cubic feet less passenger space by that metric. It is at the low end of the midsize range with the Corolla and old Cruze. The Volt might hit that if not for that battery tunnel.

The farther you can go without burning any gas, the less important ICE efficiency becomes. On the average commute, the Volt will use less gas than the gen4, and likely the Prime over the year.

 

The Volt now gets 42 mpg combined with 53 miles of range. That makes great sense for plenty of folks. Toyota could have easily done a 4 seat Prime with 40+ miles of EV range and kept 45+ mpg but the price would be higher for the extra battery.

 

That's what I'm saying. I'm sure that Toyota could have managed 40 miles EV, 4 seater and 50+ mpg. The price is a good question for sure...What's it going to be Toyota?

Remember, with incentives the Volt 2nd Gen is I think cheaper than the PiP at it's lowest trim...

 

I reviewed this car during a marketing research done for Toyota. I found it too be ugly up front with its expansive black solid plastic grill. Even a Corolla looks better!

Even the fog lights pop through large plastic surroundings. Looked very cheap! the side view of the rear looked bad too. The tail lights wrap around the glass spoiler.

The Toyota people there also were aware of poor feedback on the white center console having with them the black appliqué to show you could cover it!

After seeing it I purchased the Prius 4 Touring.

 

I

But why? more economical running on gas! Compare Side-by-Side

 

Why would they ask for reviews if they already created the production version lol? Or did they improve upon your review?

 

Sitting in the Rear of a Volt puts you squarely under the rear window with the top of your head touching it!

 

How the heck did you get three car seats back there? With two car seats in the back of mine, the space between them is about 6 inches.

 

My commute is 18-19 miles each way and I can realistically only charge at work for now...so with the Prime I would only get 1 way on electric. With a Volt I could charge at work daily and get to and from for "free".... But I really dislike the new volts styling (really liked the old volts looks though), who knows, just blabbing...lol.

 

I love Toyota's, but I know many Volt owners who are able to do all their daily driving needs purely electric. Many Volt owners use their gas engine just 1-3 days a month, that is why the 50 mile EV range makes a lot more sense for a PHEV. And while the back seat of a Volt is cramped, how often do you have 4-5 adults in the car? Finally, who cares if the gas engine only gets 40MPG if you almost never use it?

Price of Prius Prime vs Volt will be an important factor for many people, and perhaps there will be an optional bigger battery in a future Prius Prime.

 

Must be one booster or smaller car seat? We ride with two car seats and a tweenager in the back with little ram to spare, but doable 50+ miles.

To imagine the new "Prime" will void us of that option is inconceivable. I believe in the comment stating that Toyota just lost 20-25% buyers interest if it's indeed a 4 seater (is it truly confirmed yet)?

Maybe there's still hope for a Prius Plugin that improves the previous generation in every which way :\

Each Gen Prius improved, larger cargo, more practicality inside, larger space. I hate to go backwards...I considered the Prius an Eco Friendly family car. And that's what our Prius Plugin is to us! Shuttling kids around town with little to no gas.

 

Did I miss something? Toyota says 120mpge where?
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We spent lots of time reviewing it against a Volt, Hundyai, and Fusion. It was all about the appearance. Then we had comment on packaging options and marketing, website, etc. This was in February. It doesn't look like they changed a thing.

Haha! Maybe I'm the only one who hated it's looks. After reviewing the four cars we went behind a curtain to see the 2016 Prius and it was beautiful in comparison.

I hated the front end, the notched tiered headlights, rear side view, and wrap around glass window tail lights. Hated the hubcaps too!

The Fusion was the best looking of the four.

 

You guys must have much smaller car seats/boosters the I do. With two compact boosters, an adult that weighs less than 100 pounds doesn't fit between them.

 

Prime Mover: Toyota Maxes Out Tech and Style in the World's Best-Selling Hybrid to Create the 2017 Prius Prime | Toyota

"The Prius Prime’s manufacturer-estimated 120 or above MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) is expected to be the highest MPGe rating of any Plug-in Hybrid."

 

In the presentation and the materials on Toyota's site.

 

whoops . . . . yea thanks - I was just about to edit that post

BUT . . . is that the Japanese test cycle? One would think/hope not.
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