Car shifts heavily based on acceleration / deceleration

Troll?
While it's not as firm a ride as my Miata, it is more firm than most large American cars. I would certainly check tire pressure. Some dealers will underinflate tires and comment on how smooth the car rides.
I believe underinflated tires were the problem with the Ford SUV blow outs, but not sure, underinflated tires are dangerous for many reasons.
I believe there is a point at a very slow speed where regenerative braking ceases and normal braking begins. I think it is very slow and on mine I believe I can detect the transition, but it's barely preceptable, so much so I may be imagining it.

 

The Prius has no gears to shift, so it can't be that. Effective ratios are created by the ECU controlling the amount of power transmitted through the mechanical and electrical paths of the PSD. This has been explained many times, so I won't go into details here.

Tom

 

Transition?

There's nothing that behaves like an automatic transmission nor is there anything that disengages. So, saying there's a dramatic weight shift routinely doesn't represent anything the car does.

What is it that you're describing?
.

 

What mode are you using? Eco, Pwr, neither?
Parking brake not disengaging?
Your not shifted into "B" instead of "D" are you?
(Idiot car mag guy did this for a whole trip, someone new to the Prius might have read that bad info and done it too.)

Slapping the gas pedal? To much brake? To much then completely letting off? (I ride with someone in a high HP SUV who does this) Not used to how smooth a CVT is and that you are up to speed already. You need to get a feel for the regen brakes too.

The first brand new "04 Prius I saw was in rush hour traffic on 495 in NoVa. This guy was hard on the gas for 2 car lengths then hard on the brakes and repeat all the way from MD to Tyson's. 1 hour at Ave. speed 5mph.

If not, see your dealer

 

Hey George, everyone was confused by your description, since the Prius has no gears. You might want to try describing the behavior again, and include some more detail, like which model you are driving. It is true that the brakes have a different feel to them, and that there is a transition point between regen and friction braking, but that smooths out with break in and just getting used to it. Some of the cars have a hill holder feature too, so you don't want to mash the pedal all the way to the floor unless you are trying to engage that or make an emergency stop. Also, some people have noticed the regen letting go, and friction kicking in, causing a "feeling" of brief acceleration, when going over severe bumps that cause the traction control to kick in.

 

I have no idea of what purpose a troll serves, but they are out there. just asking because I couldn't make sense of what your describing.
Your car rocks so bad in fore and aft that it makes you sick? Short of full accelerating and hard braking immedately with little or no transition, I can't imagine anything being able to rock the car so badly it made you sick. While it's no sports car, my Prius is at least as firm a ride as most other "normal" cars. What your describing, I don't believe is possible, without some really abnormal problems with either the vehicle or the driver.
If the car really is that bad, then it's unsafe. I wouldn't even drive it, I would call the dealer and have them bring a truck for it.

 

I should give you a ride in my Smart, with its 1.0L engine and computer controlled manual. ;-)

 

I wonder if the OP is talking about when the ICE kickes in???