Gen5 is out - what will you do?

Good points, cargo volume is unrelated to "stuff". Not to mention, if you stack it, it might hit you in the head. I like the way C&D judges cargo capacity. Not perfect, but at least it's a measure of real cargo (like carry ons). For traveling, width is an important measure, things like golf clubs or large suitcases can thwart cargo volume measurements quickly.

 

For years Toyota played to nerds and those intent on great mileage. But it was ugly. Heck, my Prius V was uglier yet, and keeping it for 8 years wore on me . I liked the Corolla, but once I drove a hybrid version, I just couldn't do it again.

This is what Toyota thinks.

"Toyota's U.S. Vice President of Marketing Lisa Materazzo told Road & Track that the company is expecting annual sales of around 35,000 units for the non-Prime, standard Prius. That's an improvement over the last full-year figure, but only barely. Toyota sold 33,968 Prius hybrids in 2021, despite the product's age and Toyota's considerable supply-chain constraints."

2023 Prius Looks Like a Hit. Toyota Still Doesn't Expect to Sell That Many

 

she's probably right. unless things change most people still won't be interested, and hybrid owners will continue to move on to full ev's

 

Having the stripped Eco base available to the general public to the general public since introduction was novel to the gen4 Prius. The Previous generations' base was the equivalent of Toyota's LE. An L version only became available outside of fleet sales in response to lower priced competition. This is pretty much true for all Toyota models.

US cargo space for trunks is measured by using suitcase simulacrums to see have many can be fit into the trunk. Europe does similar for even hatchbacks and wagons, though those might just be defined size boxes, not psuedo-luggage.

 

I'll be honest when I first saw this vehicle I was like, wow, must have and so cast my vote to trade in my '22PP limited (paid cash but got a toyota credit, e tqx credit, etc), called my dealer, got on the list

After watching a few of the first drives have changed my vote to do nothing. Cargo space down, ride quality the same or worse (those 19" must be low profile and rough), no additional sound proofing, looks way up for sure, love the interior just don't think I can love it for the price I would have to pay without improvement to sound and lets face it, pavement quality isn't going to get any better

Will wait to see if Lexus does a new CT although from the '11CT i had, ride quality and sound sucked there as well - color me a bit sad as was very excited for this change

 

there are some things to like, and some not to.

i'll wait until i can touch, measure and drive one

 

In Canada, there will be two Prius options: both have 19" rims and no spare, and AWD. All three of those are deal breakers for me.

I think Toyota's Prius design team has lost it.

 

Spare tires are going the way of rotary phones, so you may as well get used to that one.

 

Hey, I'm going the way of the rotary phones.

 

in 1985, we had the last working rotary phone of everyone we knew. old habits die hard

 

Mom still has one - mounted right onto the kitchen wall. Funny thinking how that analog click click click dial signal has to be converted to digital.
Segwaying back to the OP - rethinking the 'wow' of the new styling. Wondering if it looks so spectacular because unconsciously we're comparing to what it was before. Maybe it's really just 'nice' now - if you think of the body style as a car that's not a Prius.

.

 

I think I'm literally the only one who likes this design less than the last one.

 

i think it looks better, but i prefer a more utilitarian vehicle. if the ceiling is lower, or the ground clearance is lower, or the seating is lower, i'm probably not interested

 

So, how about buying a set of aftermarket 17” wheels and 205/60-17 tires (same diameter as 195/50-19) and pick up a compatible Toyota spare at a salvage yard then sell off the new set of 19” tires and wheels.

 

Too much cobbling for me; after handing over around $40K CDN, I don't expect to start repairing it. And, a salvage spare sitting on the hatch floor doesn't cut it for me.

Up here you're also forced to go with Softex and AWD, neither of which I'm interested in.

 

The Japanese Market likes it - so it's not surprising there are some in the US that like the more "non-traditional" style as well.
In a 1970s the Buick Riviera went really non-traditional with their styling. The thing about styling that breaks from the norm is that in just a few years, it really stands out that it ain't new.


Not that that's bad but it sure becomes obvious. Another example comes to mind, the day glow orange one piece ski suit from the 1970's. Lots of people had them at one time but when the styles changed? Nobody wanted to look like they were just released from a five year old time capsule. Yet every once in awhile, someone will drag something out like that.

 

That looks like a repurposed 70's Pontiac Catalina hood and front bumper on the back of the old Rivi. My teenage 'bro' <- another story - had one of those a few years newer but very similar and his dad loved it, called it a cream puff . It was in really nice shape for at least a month or two after he got his license.

Maybe you noticed that GM liked to, maybe still does, repurpose body parts between makes and models, and it seems to me that most other car manufacturers caught on and imitated that to one degree or another.

Yea, when someone digs out an old style and shows up looking just a [ bit ] different, they usually either get great reviews or are trolled mercilessly.