Featured 5th Gen Prius

Three different unrelated Prius models bearing the V v moniker?

If the volume model would have become the Prime model we wouldn’t have this issue

Considering the inevitability of high gas prices Toyota reducing the number of its most efficient model options was in error.

The difference between a 30mpg, 40mpg, 50mpg and 60mpg highway rating becomes meaningful at above $4 gas.

Likewise PHEV versions of the 3 cars at various price points and capabilities becomes meaningful.

Let’s see how high prices need to go before the “people don’t want efficient cars, PHEVs, BEVs” attitude can continue

 

My example was Prius V taxi in 2016. Great ride and plenty of interior volume. A nice, quiet ride to pickup our 2014 BMW i3-REx.

Bob Wilson

 

It’s unfortunate the V form factor didn’t continue onward preferably in PHEV form

I have no interest in a RAV4
However a plug in V in even Gen Iv prime trim would be almost perfect for my current habits.

 

Sure, it doesn't have to be.
That doesn't mean it isn't. How dumb do you think hydrogen is as a renewable energy source.
Do I smell a poll in the making?
No lets not look at natural gas. You seem to love the statistical arguments, don't you.

Hydrogen!

 

Where do you think the hydrogen in FCEVs is coming from?
In California, 33% renewable is required, but finding out if that level is met isn't simple. The on site production stations were $4 to $6 more a kg before the pandemic.
The green hydrogen plant being built in Lancaster Ca makes syngas. This has historically been used to make methane. Making methanol or even gasoline from it isn't a big stretch.
Porsche is building a syn gasoline in Chile. The product's pre-pandemic price was around $10 a gallon. In the same time frame, green hydrogen was $16 a kg. A Camry hybrid gets 50mpg. The Mirai is rated 76mpge. Again, the FCEV only matches a hybrid using green fuel, and does so at a higher cost.

 

funny how any appreciation for electric car efficiency is automatically branded As hating stupidly & inefficient expensive alternatives.

 

Keep talkin costs and branding. seems memory is on short supply these days unless it's burned in short term.

 

I think you are talking about the Prius v (No Caps) small wagon. Used all over as a Taxi. My DIL still has one. Came to mother's day with 3 passengers and large dog. I loved mine. Had it been updated to allow current Rav4 Limited with packages specs I'd have bought it instead of the Rav4 hybrid.

Anecdote warning: Pulled up at a pump today and across from me was a county school bus. I remarked "Sure glad I am fueling this (Rav4 hybrid) and not that". He said "About $1200 a week at yesterdays prices". I pulled away having paid $11.29.

 

Yep..that's why I usually say "Prius v wagon" when I refer to it.

BTW - I love the fact the rear seats slide and are relatively easy to remove. In fact, I just removed the rear seats to move the son out of his dorm room in a few days. There is a HUGE amount of space in there with the seats removed.

 

Wasn't Toyota still using the Roman numeral trim designations with the Prius v? So you could have a Prius v V.

Then in other markets it was known as a Prius Alpha or +.

 

As far as the cost of the vehicle itself, this argument is just made in bad faith. Just have a two year old, $18,000 vehicle lying around - surely you can afford to drop another $24,000 two years after spending at least $28k, right?
Reminds me of the kids that say, "oh, my parents paid for my college tuition!" just buy a new vehicle two years after dropping the money for a different new vehicle...

In terms of dimensions (length, interior capacity, cargo capacity), the Model 3 is roughly equivalent to a Camry.

A normal Camry being $26k starting, a Camry hybrid being $28k starting. Given $41k for the Model 3, you're looking at a $13,000 premium for roughly the same size car - but with a (comparatively!) pathetic 260 miles of range. Which is obviously awesome for an EV, but still terrible in comparison to even a gas car, especially against a hybrid.

Now if you look at EV's that are actually in the range of $28k, you pretty much only have the lower end Leaf - with 150 miles of range, and as far as I'm aware, no supercharging - ignoring that supercharging is still more time-consuming than filling up with gas.
Which sure, isn't an issue if you're only doing that on trips and you charge at home...but lets just conveniently ignore the 10's of millions of Americans that can't charge at home. I wouldn't be keen on specifically having to wait for my car to fill in the middle of a regular day. Further ignoring that only supercharging is a good way to murder the battery much faster than what it is built for.

Your mileage expenses seem correct, but I can't tell whether your first point about the price of the vehicle itself is intentionally or unintentionally ignorant.

 

Just the facts and data for our 2019 Tesla Model 3. I had a window of opportunity in March 2019 and took it.

Yesterday, I had to run errands starting with 150 mi, my normal initial charge and due to heat, ran with AC on:

• -88.3 mi
• +150.7 mi, $11.50 Athens SuperCharger
• -30.1 mi
• -14.8 mi

It is not only an EV but also the charging network. At $3.81/gal, I'm not tempted by gas vehicles.

Bob Wilson

 

That is fair, and I'm glad you found something that works for you.

I would pay even the ridiculous hydrogen prices if it meant not taking extra 15 minutes on filling up the car. The nearest gas station is 10 minutes away from me, meaning a 5 minute refill is a 25 minute adventure. (It's also out of the way of my regular routes, so I can't simply fill up when I happen to be out). Adding another 10-15 minutes to that? Personally, I'm not keen in the slightest...

 

If you own your own home, that is an excellent argument for driving an electric car. You’d charge it at home, so you would never need to go out of your way.

Of course, electric cars are something like 150% the price of gasoline cars on average and you’d also have to spend another couple thousand to set up your home for charging at a decent speed, so it’s not a cheap endeavor. But it would allow for a lot more convenience and less time wasted.

 

glad that solution works for you and maybe others.
wondering how much of that college education could be purchased - if 10 years of hydroden fuel cell car driving costs were involved.
$15/liter X 12K miles/yr X 10yrs?

 

I wonder if I can set alerts for this thread, to just ping me if the words "Prius", "5th gen" or similar are used.

 

that's what happens when the 5th gen is cancelled, obsolete thread

 

This is a maybe. For many people, their daily use could be replenished by overnight charging at Level 1.

 

There are many “Prius is discontinued “ articles floating around.

Seems like only in Germany is the Prius fully discontinued , the rest of Europe only gets the PHEV version.

Insiders have stated its discontinuation stateside is inevitable even though demand for the car far outstrips supply at the moment.