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

what does '4 seats' mean? does the center console/cup holder not fold up?

 

Comparing the Gen 2 Volt to the Prius Prime, half of commuters will be able to do all electric in the Prius Prime round-trip and 80% if can charge at work. Most people will then go on to do medium to long range trips for which the Prius prime is the clear winner and hence burns less gas annually.

This makes the second generation Prius (Prime) a lot more competitive compared to the second-generation Volt. More than half of drivers/commuters would use less gas annually in the Prius Prime.

 

On paper, it seems like the Prius Prime would be the clearly better option. However, you're completely ignoring the EV range. The Gen 2 Volt has 53 miles of EV range, while the Prius Prime will only have about 22.

The whole point of having more EV range is to avoid using gas at all in the first place for people using it for their work commute. For example, my round trip work commute is about 38 miles.

With the Gen 2 Volt, I wouldn't need gas for months, except when I drive out of town to visit friends and relatives that live hours from me. Or when the car automatically forces me to use the gas due to letting it sit for over a year in the tank, known as "fuel maintenance mode". Some Volt owners consider that a badge of honor.

But with the Prius Prime, while I could make it to work entirely on electric, the return home would always require me to burn a little gas. Granted, I wouldn't be using much, perhaps a third of a gallon or so. But I would eventually have to get gas sooner, probably after two months or so. If I can convince my workplace to install charging stations, then the Prime would be gasless for months too, but this is an uphill battle that currently isn't looking likely to happen.

Not trying to say the Prime is better or worse. Both have their strong and weak points, and someone cross-shopping the two vehicles should try to consider all aspects of it, not just 1 or 2. Although sadly some people will do exactly this, usually focusing exclusively on the sticker price, and nothing else such as cost of ownership and fuel costs down the road.

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Getting back on topic, I like that the Prius Prime will be available nationwide. And in my book, it's always nice to see more plug-in vehicles being offered for sale. Though the 4 seater aspect will probably turn some people off, I hope that the Prime will hook people who would otherwise not have considered a plug-in vehicle at all.

I just hope that Toyota doesn't price this ridiculously high. If it's in the $35k+ range, then I'm not sure how many people would want to justify buying one, even with the plug-in tax credit.

I'm also wondering if the Prius Prime will have a version of "ERDTT" (Engine Running Due To Temperature) which many Volt owners hate since it automatically forces the gas engine to run when the weather gets really cold (and it's strictly for cabin heating, not to warm the battery with).

And I can't wait to see Wayne Gerdes, champion hypermiler, can get out of the battery and mpg for this car. He managed to get an impressive 111 EV miles out of the Gen 2 Volt.

 

To me, the difference in EV range is largely irrelevant. My commute to work is 11.5 miles, and I can charge on 120V at work. My next closest regular round trip is 58 miles. The Volt's battery just costs and weighs more, not to mention taking up more room.

 

And like I said, both vehicles have their ups and downs for everyone based on their individual needs. I want more EV driving, but currently we don't have that many good options, especially if you need to go long distance, and I can't afford a Tesla Model S, nor could I justify the price short of winning the lottery. And the Tesla Model 3 is still a few years out.

Can't wait to see video reviews of the Prime soon, which will inevitably include comparisons to the Gen 2 Volt.

Hopefully they put some better sound insulation in the Prius Prime, as I hated the wind and road noise when I drove my 2014 Prius on the bad road sections of the freeway, and would have to drown it out with loud music. I love how quiet and muffled the Volt is by comparison, not to mention how much faster it is thanks to a bigger electric motor and battery despite weighing more. Not hearing the gas engine is always awesome, whether you're in a Volt or Prius. Or a pure EV.

 

until there is a 500 mile battery, there will always be bev options that fit different users. for phev's, it's more a matter of what covers your typical daily use.
i don't think many people will be convinced by the mpge argument.

 

So what will the Fed tax credit be on this with an 8.8 kWh battery?

 

important question. ^

 

$4,085 would be my guess.

Plug-In Electric Drive Vehicle Credit (IRC 30D)

 

I think the purchasers will get whichever best fits their needs as opposed to one being more or less competitive than the other.

 

that's the one unfortunate thing about electric, at least with current tech, unless mfg.'s start offering different battery sizes in the same model, buyers have to choose a car by battery size, instead of all the other features.

 

ouch, i don't like that deck lid. i was wondering where they were going to stuff the battery, and afraid it was going to be an afterthought. which is what it looks like.

looks like they didn't give it much thought when designing the gen4. also, the fixed rear console, creating a 4 seater looks like a result of stuffing the battery in. very disappointing.

charge port is in the same place? why did they add a charge port plug?

 

I'm 5'10 with a 29' inseam. My head touched the rear window when sitting in the back of the gen 2.
There will always be compromises between interior space and aerodynamics. where the tipping point lies is with the individual.

We really won't know until the official numbers come out. I'm hoping Toyota didn't pull a "city mpge" here.

GM shot for 40 miles with the first Volt because that was supposedly the average American commute distance. 80% charging at work might be true in California, but not for the rest of the country, where these cars will be available. If work charging is available, there is still the question of there being enough chargers for all to use them that want too.

Simply put, work place charging shouldn't be taken for granted.

If you make many long trips, the Prime may work out to use less fuel, but this is a case by case issue. Here's mine if someone wants to run the numbers. Commute is 61 miles round trip, with no work charging. Visit friends maybe once a month; about 70 miles round trip. Go see the parents maybe 4 times a year; 600 mile trip one way. Local errands would be covered by the EV of either car.

There is an ERDTT mode mentioned in another thread. The trigger temps are in places that see real winter.

Price is going to be the biggest consideration for many. If it is near the gen2 Volt's, I will be disappointed, and many will pass.

After all the press for the Volt's four seats being a con to shoppers, it boggles mine mind why Toyota went with 4 for the Prime when 5 appear to work from photos. Is there a hump to the under seat pack that needed clearance?

Which why it is good we, the consumers, are getting a wider range of choices. No one car will be one size fits all.

$3751 to $4168. Depends on how the IRS counts the 0.8kWh.

 

you mean, unless you buy Tesla, used or new.

 

no, because tesla is too expensive, presently. but yes, that the concept.