I wanted a hybrid but didn't fit the car.

I'm 6'0" tall with most of that height in my torso, and I also weigh 400+ pounds. My girlfriend is tall and heavy as well. And I have a one-hour commute each way, and much longer if I slow down and drive the speed limit. I was concerned when I heard people complaining about the seats, so I rented one for a week, long before buying. No problems. In fact, both my girlfriend and I find the seats to be very comfortable. I'm not sure what people are complaining about, there's plenty of room compared to the rocket capsule my ten-year-old Nissan Sentra was, and the seats are soft and supportive. Plus, the height of the seat makes it easier to get into and out of the car without having to contort oneself. Where are you running out of room, head or feet? Have you tried not just pushing them all the way to the rear, but also leaning them back a bit? I find leaning back the seat a bit adds to both comfort and relaxation.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pflow1 @ Jun 3 2006, 08:56 PM) [snapback]265362[/snapback]</div>

The operating voltage is higher... 650 vs 500

The motor output kW is higher... 105 vs 50

As for horsepower, that is undeniably greater. So we don't even need to go there.


Where the heck did you get the impression of less?

 

zzz

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Pflow1 @ Jun 3 2006, 06:56 PM) [snapback]265362[/snapback]</div>

I'm 5'11"/180, pretty close to "average" build, but I don't like the seats either. They're too high and have little adjustability. I'm considering replacing the drivers seat. (maybe a racy Recaro bucket seat like I dreamed about as a kid... ;-)
Seriously, the seats are barely acceptable. And I wish the steering wheel telescoped.

 

6'1" and 240 lbs (okay 245lb) - I find it has plenty of room and VERY comfortable.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(VaPrius @ Jun 5 2006, 04:39 AM) [snapback]265887[/snapback]</div>

I'm not exactly a small person (6'4" 290#) and although I probably wouldn't want to drive a Prius for 10 hours I still find it comfortable. I wish they'd had the leather option in '05. For family trips to Florida we take the Pacifica. It DOES have leather.......and every other bell and whistle too.
Peace,
Paul

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Liberanos5 @ Jun 5 2006, 07:08 AM) [snapback]265891[/snapback]</div>

There was a leather option for 2005. I have great leather seats, both front and back. You might want to look into swapping or upgrading your seats. In Texas, I hear, the whistles and bells are installed by Gulf States Toyota (GST) 7701 Wilshire Place Dr. Houston, TX 77040 713-580-3300. It is one of only two US Toyota distributors not owned by Toyota Motor Sales (the other is JM Family Enterprises' Southeast Toyota Distributors. . You may be able to still get the leather option. It makes an amazing difference.

 

6'3" 260 pounds, time spent on daily commute - 2.5 hours, '05 leather seats, 27,315 miles to date, seats are comfortable enough to keep me happy. I think people read all of the positive reviews and expect the Prius to be a Rolls Royce in a can or something. My lifetime average is 49 mpg my seat gets more comfortable every time I fill up.

 

I can't imagine where the hell the OP got the idea the Camry Hybrid is less powerful. It's nearly 800 lbs more, yet it's quicker. And its HSD is at least as good as the Prius', though its mileage is worse due to the weight.

 

Incorrect. The mileage is worse due to the more acceleration focussed architecture of the gas electric powertrain. The car uses a more powerful albeit higher consumption ICE. Combine that with a lower capacity electric motor and you're going to get less mileage.

Weight plays a part too but not as much as we think.

But the car is still extraordinary. While not as fast as your Avalon, it is faster and far more fuel efficient than a typical 4 cylinder car compact class car. I drove one extensively and I compare it to my Solara's 1MZ-FE V6 engine (200HP) in terms of power and it matches a Corolla in terms of fuel efficiency.

The Avalon is great. Fast, efficient and effortless, it has the engine that, I believe, should replace many modern V8s.

 

The whole seats being uncomfortable thing is really baffling to me, I'm 6'2' 230 and I have no problems whatsoever with the seats. I do not know but could this be because I am asian and Toyota designed the seats geared more for our body anatomy and comfort as opposed to the average American's? I'm not trying to be racist or anything, just throwing out the possibility, because my mom also thinks the seats are VERY comfortable.

 

I must say my mom was actually more worried about the comfort than myself--then again she did help with over half the cost so she must be allowed some say Anyway, I'm relatively short about 5'5" and overweight-210. I love the comfort of the seats, and my kids do too. Let me tell you, any discomfort I may ever have in my Prius-it's worth it for my kids to be comfortable and not complaining.

 

prius's aerodynamic is better
plus u can get a aftermarket seat for ur prius cant u?

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Drift Motion @ Jun 5 2006, 08:44 PM) [snapback]266462[/snapback]</div>

Not really recommended because any existing side-airbags are in the seats, so you really can't swap the seats out.

Also, the Atkinson engine has little low end torque, so it needs the electric motor to get it moving first.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Screwdriver @ Jun 5 2006, 04:26 PM) [snapback]266181[/snapback]</div>

Weight tends to have more impact on fuel economy than horsepower. This is how a 400-horsepower Corvette gets an 18/28 EPA rating.

But engine size also plays a role. Too small or too large and efficiency suffers. I think both variables are very significant in the case of the Prius and Camry.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(daver969 @ Jun 5 2006, 01:25 AM) [snapback]265851[/snapback]</div>

I would argue the exact opposite. I hated the low seats in my wife's (for sale, replaced with a Prius 2 weeks ago) '97 Subaru Legacy. I felt like I was dropping onto the floor every time I got in and had to haul myself up to get out. Maybe not a problem for short people but I'm 6'2 (185#) and half leg. I very much like the height of the Prius seats and I find them comfortable. I wouldn't mind a bit more rearward travel or seat tilt (for thigh support) if they wanted to add features.