4th generation coming 2015!

Yes, but so is a low center of gravity, a smooth propulsion system, and electronic stability control.

 

Comments about this newly-developed Bridgestone Ecopia?

Sneak Peak! 2015 Gen4 Prius | Page 6 | PriusChat

 

This Consumer Reports review of 3rd gen Prius is spot on in my opinion. Amazing how much leeway this car gets because it's so efficient, practical and reliable. Beyond that, it has some compromises.

Consumer Reports Video Hub - Cars - Hybrids & Alternative Fuel - Toyota Prius review

Here's some choice quotes from it -

"Prius isn't the most fun car to drive, but as efficient transportation, it's really hard to beat"

"Handling is 'ok', it's secure, stability control works well, but the feel is not that impressive, steering is pretty vague.."

"Rear window bar often blocks the car behind you"

"The center console cuts into legroom making you feel more confined"

"The buttons for the seat heaters are in the worst location we've ever witnessed ... really hard to see and really hard to reach"

"While the dash is well put together, there's really nothing plush, it's hard plastics wherever you look, there's nothing luxurious"

"There's a tilt and telescopic steering wheel, but it doesn't come out too far"

"Even though the engine is a little bit bigger, it doesn't translate to quicker acceleration. Part of that is because it is heavier"

 

What do people expect for a base car starting at 24k. It has the best MPG by far and is reliable. You're not gonna get top notch interior finishings and 50 MPGs for a car that's 24-30k

 

Consumer Reports hasn't said a useful thing since the 70s.

 

Longer hoods make you feel your going slower as you look out the front because the angle of sight makes the ground appears to zip by slower.
Imagine if you could only see the horizon how slow it would feel?

When I drove the 2012 Camry hybrid I honestly didn't feel it was a bit faster than my 2010 regular prius. ( Curb weight 3417 lbs) Acceleration 0-60 mph: 7.6 seconds

2010 prius (3060 lbs curb weight) 0-60 mph (sec.) 10.1

I know the books say different but I didn't get the experience.
I'm still not sure? Camry weighs 400 more lbs.
I'm surprised mileage isn't better. 400 lbs is like having two adults in the back.. Or two small kids in back with parents in front... That alone should kill mileage so bad??

Are we implying if they give the prius 400 more lbs of motor, batteries & suspension it too would drop to the mileage of the Camry?
Maybe aerodynamics have a strong play? Maybe it's the larger tires too?


Alan.. Sent with Tapatalk 2

 

No comment.

 

You could get a car that's bigger and better in most ways for $21 to $30k.

That's why Accord, Camry, Fusion, Altima, Sonata, VW Jetta, Malibu Impala and Kia Optima outsold Prius liftback for all of last year. Not to mention Civic, Corolla, Focus, Cruze and Elantra which outsold it. Accord gets 30 MPG combined now.

2012 Year End Top 25 Best-Selling Cars In America - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

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btw Alan, Camry hybrid whups Prius liftback in any driving scenario. Not a bad tradeoff for 1.75 extra gallons after 400 miles.

 

I've driven brand new Malibus and Impalas recently and they are both total garbage. They're so bad I avoid renting them.

 

What wasn't useful about the video?

Consumer Reports Video Hub - Cars - Hybrids & Alternative Fuel - Toyota Prius review

 

Yea, got me rethinking :-\

Need to get the wife a new car.. I was hoping for something fresh and upgraded in the prius... She's not thrilled about chores with the pip nor the associated price difference.

Hummmm

Alan.. Sent with Tapatalk 2

 

Own a 08 Camry Sport been in most of the other models you listed and their interior finishings are average IMO. The Prius may have slightly below average comfort or interior finishings but I don't think my wife's Camry is anything more than average inside. My point is simply this, for 25k you aren't going to make a car with the top MPG, high reliability and the best interior finishings and turn a profit. Camry may have better finishings/comfort/driving but that's the trade off for 50+ MPG vs 30 MPG

 

I'm talking about the Camry hybrid... 40+mpg I think?

Alan.. Sent with Tapatalk 2

 

Yes, I got an Camry hybrid LE gage pegged at 43.5 MPG. Can't speak of short trips on cold engine which brings hybrids down. If do only short trips, no reason to get a hybrid.

Toyota Prius liftback was outsold by 14 models below for 2012 in US.

Accord, Camry, Fusion, Altima, Sonata, VW Jetta, Malibu Impala and Kia Optima, Civic, Corolla, Focus, Cruze and Elantra

After 400 miles driven, refill up

at 30 MPG - 13.333 gallons (Honda Accord combined FE)
at 32 MPG - 12.5 gallons (honda Civic comb FE)
at 35 MPG - 11.4 gal (Civic MPG in 2018?)
at 50 MPG - 8 gallons (3rd gen Prius comb FE)
at 55 MPG - 7.3 gallons
at 60 MPG - 6.66 gal

From chart above, I see diminishing gas savings above 50 MPG. 0.7 gal saved @ 55 mpg, 1.33 gal @ 60 mpg.

I think Toyota ought to ease the price a bit, maybe add a couple MPGs and address the shortcomings to overtake the smaller sedans.


* 46 mpg (2nd gen) to 50 mpg was also 0.7 gal saved over 400 miles.

 

Hybrid is probably better than conventional on short cold runs... All cars are affected, they just don't realize it because they don't have any sophisticated feedback systems to tell.

Alan.. Sent with Tapatalk 2

 

Honda Civic '13 has gone to soft touch stitched dash materials and Elantra soft touch dash as well. Will be 2 1/2 years before we might see this in liftback Prius.

 

False dichotomy.

 

There are diminishing returns in gallons saved with small MPG increases (10 -20%) above 50 MPG.

Which goal is better - to make 4th gen Prius liftback the best selling hybrid (which it already is) or improve it to a consistent top 10 selling car in US. Right now it sits about 15th place. I think the latter is a better goal.

 

Well, most people I've given a ride love the dash. I think Prius has raised the bar. I'm glad o the others catching up. Can't wait to the new Prius dash. In any case Prius doesn't play second fiddle to its competition.

 

It's still a false dichotomy.