4th generation coming 2015!

Count me among the annoyed too. It is my main gripe with our G2 Prius, and why I give it only 9/10 stars. Well, that and the mushy steering at highway speeds.

fwiw, our Prius v(agon) is quieter and handles better on the highway. Not as good as the CTh handling wise, but definitely better. I get the most creaks during cold weather, and for now the v(agon) is more than acceptable. I have my fingers crossed that the plastics age gracefully.

 

Personally i prefer a better build car ( toyota ) above a better looking/feeling one ( vag group )

-Tapatalk

 

I don't think Toyota should shave weight off the 3rd gen liftback for the 4th gen. Actually, I don't care about that so much, but they should increase total load capacity. 2011 is spec'd at 825 lbs total load capacity and mine has a sticker saying the actual is 10 lb less than that. So, 815 lbs total load capacity. Not enough!

So easy to end up with two 200 pounders in front seat leaving only 415 for 3 occupants behind. Maybe you can squeeze three 135 pound individuals in back, but better to have room for three 150 lbs in back and 50 lbs cargo. Could we get 900 lbs total load capacity?

Less tall would be a big mistake for Prius. I thought there was talk they may break the smooth line between the hood and windshield, making the windshield angle up slightly. I think that would raise the Cd.

I think the 4th gen needs a little more of many things. Like 15 ish more total HP, 75 lbs more curb weight, an inch wider, inch more headroom in backseat, Make the interior much more inviting and finally make a steering wheel with good placement and more adjustability and feels good the hold in hands. Softer touch dash materials and door armrests better placed. Quieter cabin on the highway.

I don't think rearview camera should be standard on lowest model, but that Honda type 'Lanewatch' feature would be great on Three and above. Must have SMS text / voice recognition in all new Prius trims. Improve the voice recognition. So often mine doesn't recognize.

I think Toyota has a very tough task on their hands. Liftback Prius is still the best selling hybrid ever. How to make it appealing in all the right ways so it remains the best selling hybrid?

 

I do think that the lack of steering feel and appealing interior and exterior are the biggest issues of the current Prius. I don't see AWD as a particularly appealing option. I would rather Toyota stick with building a fundamentally better car, rather than adding expensive options.

If I were buying a new car now, I would probably prefer the Ford Fusion over the Prius. With gas prices stabilized and US oil production going through the roof, I don't see the drop of 10 mpg from the Prius to the Fusion as so important.

 

The rumor I heard was that for Gen4, there would be a plug-in option for every Prius type (c, v, etc.). I'm a "hold on to your car til maintenance costs more than car payments" kinda guy, so I'm still driving my 2003 Subaru, but I have been coveting the Prius ever since Gen3 came out and became big enough for me to consider. I was going to buy one in late 2010, and some things came up and I had to wait. Now, I've waited so long, I figure I'd might as well wait for the next gen. Was really interested in the v but not sure it's worth it to give up the mpg - also no solar panel option (which I really like living in Florida). Am hoping they keep the solar panel option for Gen4, and improve handling like mentioned above. Wish they'd come out with it now. I'm ready!

 

Just keep in mind the possibility of minor issues in the first cuts off the line. Notice how the 3rd Gen Prius got the nice facelift, available power seats (four, five) and touchscreens in all trims in 2012 model year. Same for 4th Gen, likely starts to sell in 2015, get mid cycle refresh for 2018 model year. New cars are a cruel thing, i.e. a 2013 Accord LX is much better than a 2012 LX, looks better, more torque and comes with bluetooth, USB ports, rearview camera. Last year's model has none of that.

 

Ugh! Yes, you're right, and I thought about getting one after the 3G refresh, but I really want to see what they do for the 4G, and I just don't think I can wait any longer than that. I only have 97K miles on my Subaru, so I expect it will last, but I've been jonesing for a Prius for 2.5 years. I even drove 1.5 hours to see a prototype of the v before it came out. I am impatiently waiting for the 4G. I have considered that the first model not only is likely to get refreshed, but if they come out with new technologies (I've heard rumors of hydrogen cell???) that I should wait until the kinks are worked out. As far as features, since I buy cars so infrequently (I'm 42 and on my 3rd car ever), I'm always going to be stuck missing out on all the cool new features. Going from a 92 to an 03 gave me a CD player and key fob - I thought it was so caught-up, but now I'm missing out on bluetooth and USB/aux connection! Whenever I buy, it's going to be outdated soon anyay. Sigh - maybe I just need to start leasing. For shame!

Speaking of Subaru - someone mentioned Prius thinking about AWD. When getting serviced at the Subaru dealership, I asked the guy when they would come out with a hybrid. He said never, since all Subarus are AWD and that makes them too heavy for a hybrid to be worth it. Maybe Toyota has figured out a way to make AWD lighter, or maybe they figure people will accept lower MPG to get it. Hey, if they'll be a hybrid Highlander.....

 

I have the same faith that random US Subaru dealership employees know what the Fuji Heavy Industries corporate engineers in Japan are planning, that I do that random US Toyota dealership employees know what the Toyota corporate engineers in Japan are planning, none.

 

If you truly need a hybrid AWD the HyHi is a great vehicle.

 

Since I currently own a 3rd gen Prius, that <20 mpg difference and Ford's abysmal reliability reputation(Not CR), I would chose the 4th Gen Prius over any Ford Product now or coming in the future. The <10 mpg difference was a deal killer for me in choosing the Prius Hatchback over the Prius V.

 

As far as the mpg goes it really does depend on how much one drives, just purely subjective.

As far as reliability goes let me list you a few things from my '07 prius:

1) thermos pump whines
2) brake pump squeals
3) inverter coolant pump recalled
4) steering shaft recalled, steering judder only partially dealth with by Toyota recall (it still judders)
5) trunk release latch melted, replaced at my own cost
6) AUX port not grounded

Early Prius adapters, 04 and 05, had more issues.

Now that record is one of mixed reliability in my opinion. I have to include the shaky at best dealer experiences too. I'm glad your experience was better. If I were to buy the Ford, I would buy extended warranty.

 

I guess you're talking about '13 Fusion hybrid. Have a look a the rather puny trunk. You may not be so interested after a gander at it. I made a thread under 'Ford Hybrids' here that has some clear photos of '13 FFH trunk.

 

ystasino,

Here is the link for the Reliability data for the Model Year 2012:


AutoOnInfo.net: Charts of Best and Worst Cars and Trucks in the U.S. in 2012


The Big 3 automakers have a long way to go as far as Reliability of their vehicles, despite the advertising that it is now a level playing field with the Japanese. Only the Europeans are worse!

 

jlaibson,
Just an FYI on the subaru idea.

Subaru's First Hybrid Expected Soon, New York Auto Show Debut Possible

Seems like Subaru has been thinking about it for awhile. I own 2 pri, but would consider a hybrid outback if the milage was good enough.

 

Wow! Thanks for the info. Doesn't sound like mileage will be amazing, but worth keeping an eye on. I'm still debating between the Prius, the v, or just keeping my paid-off 03 Forester.

 

Yeah, I'm not too crazy if that's what they plan on it looking like. I want Toyota to do something ballsy and new with the next Prius like they did with the Gen.II. When Toyota introduced the Gen.II, it had features found on only very expensive luxury vehicles. It had bold, odd styling that many complained about, but at the same time, it's what shaped the Prius and made it recognized as the iconic one. It'd be cool for them to do something very ground breaking with it to push the bar forward like it always has.

 

Weird chart a bunch of those vehicles aren't even produced anymore.

Nexus 7 ? HD

 

Some cars are still in production for other markets. Toyota ECHO | Toyota Cars Info

 

I suppose that could be the case, but some of the gm vehicles such as the Saturn Outlook and Chevrolet astro van (they even listed the gmc safari as another model) are done, not sure about the blazer.
I agree that the Japanese spank everyone else when it comes to quality, it just makes the domestics look unfairly bad (not that they're good) IMHO.

Nexus 7 ? HD

 

And also, Consumer Reports just published their 2013 Car Brand Perception Survey.