Consumer Reports 2015 Autos (Gen4 Prius hints etc)

are the prius and camry close enough in size to use the same platform? 55 mpg will not be exciting, but should keep the 2-3% buying.

 

that's probably it. where would they be getting info no one else has?

 

The Prius is now at the small end of mid-size, and it didn't change much in size going from 2nd to 3rd generation. Don't mistake platform sharing with the badge twins of old. The Camry and Avalon already share a platform. So does the Rav4 and Lexus NX, and all those models differ in size. The new platform could be designed to accomodate multiple size models.

55mpg is great. It isn't the 60mpg the overly hopeful want, but a 10% percent increase is what happened between all the other generations.

 

thanks, i just don't think it's enough to capture much of the gasser market. maybe depending on styling and other features and of course, price.

 

I don't think the gasser market will have much interest in a Prius either way. Improvements in other areas of the car will help, but the big gasser market is the (larger)mid-size sedan in the US. Which is already served by the Camry hybrid, and I don't think Toyota will make changes to the Prius that will mean it encroaching on the Camry's sales too much.

 

What would be exciting? A chintzier, more crappy to drive car that gets 60 something MPG instead?
You're already on the flatter part of the curve over 40 or so MPG (gallons y vs MPG x)

 

well, mpg's are the car, the rest is fluff. you can buy any car if you want fluff.

 

...... they also share it with the Highlander & the Lexus RX SUV's. They get a lot of bang for that platform.
.

 

True, but to expand Prius market share, they next one will need more fluff. 50mpg is already well ahead of the pack. I don't think getting to 60mpg will attract more buyers if the fluff level stays the same.

 

yeah you're probably right. i'm just feeling pessimistic right now, watch all the new tahoes and suburbans on the road.

 

I do not subscribe to CR anymore, but IIRC the expanded table of reliability by major system has a little black triangle in each square that you can click for more details.

 

I wish that worked in the reliability section of the magazine version, which has been seriously dumbed down over the last couple of years.

 

I guess MPG 'are the car' when it comes to Prius, but that mostly appeals to hybrid / alternative car seekers,

I think it would be VERY interesting to know what other cars get cross-shopped when a Prius is on the buyers list or short list.

Let's say the other cars under consideration are Corolla, Camry, Civic, Accord, etc .... then the Prius needs to compete better with those others on price, performance, comfort, etc...

 

I was at Fremont Toyota at noon today and lemme tell you, there are just a train load of excess Prius liftbacks there. They have hundreds of cars, but the liftbacks were parked side by side all down the couple rows and on the end rows. It really appeared they are stacking up on the lot.

In contrast, so many Camry slots were empty. Camry is selling red hot now. Camry LE is about the same price as prius Two. Most people want the size, power and comfort of Camry over a Prius. Plus, trunked sedans are so popular in US. I would actually prefer a trunk: Easier to use than liftback for me. I have to pull the tonneau cover over every morning before going into work. I just don't have to have that extra cargo space except on rare occasion, but that's just me.

 

why don't the other cars need to compete with the prius on mpg's?