PiP vs. Volt - cabin noise, handling, driver room from owners of both?

I currently own a 2012 PIP- I've had it for 17 months now, ran up 22K miles on the odometer.

I took a 2014 Volt for a test drive on Saturday.
Things that stood out: it was quieter than the PIP, had better EV acceleration than the PIP and the driver seat was more comfortable than the PIP. It also doesn't have the terrible rear quarter blind spot the Gen III Prius in infamous for that makes lane changing a PITA.

The Volt can only holds 2 back seat passengers- vs 3 for the PIP.
The stock tires on the Volt are 17" vs 15" on the PIP.
The Volt has 38 mi EPA battery range vs 11 mi EPA battery range for the PIP.


I would suggest you go for a test ride in both vehicles on the same roadway if possible and see how they shake out.

 

I considered both and ended up with the PiP for a variety of reasons, the primary being I got it for a price that the Volt couldn't touch, the secondary being that the PiP has more cargo and passenger capacity. From an enthusiast's and a driver's perspective I would have preferred the Volt which handles much more like a regular car and is much more an EV than an extended range hybrid.

What is your typical day of driving like?

 

Volt.

Also if the HOV lane sticker is important to you, you need to buy PDQ. Only 3,000 Green High Occupancy Vehicle Stickers Left In California

 

I would highly recommend test driving each.
EV range, cargo capacity, etc are pretty straight forward.
However, it sounds like on factor for you is also driving characteristics. That is highly subjective and really is best experienced for yourself.

When test driving the Volt, make sure to put it in 'Sport' mode. Personally I would recommend driving it in Low rather than Drive to get stronger regenerative braking. To me, a car with stronger regen feels much more natural and responsive.

 

No direct experience with either, but another poster once recommended putting the Volt in, IIRC, low and mountain mode to experience it at its noisiest.

 

Prius, the Volt ice mpg can't come close the PSD PRius system.

DBCassidy

 

I'm afraid I have only test driven a PiP once and its battery was drained to where EV mode was not available.
I have owned and driven two Gen2 Prius, but expect that isn't very similar to a PiP when driving on full electric.

 

The Prius definitely has a level of road noise that I was not accustomed to coming from Volvos, VW's and Mercedes as recent ownership experience. It's tolerable, but it's definitely not a refined vehicle.

I think that if you want the EV experience, the choice is the Volt hands down. The Prius only works as an EV under certain specific circumstances, and any number of things can knock it out of EV mode - full throttle application, engine braking with a full battery, use of the heater, cold temperatures, etc. I understand that the Volt has some of these same characteristics, but overall it drives much more like a pure EV with well over double the EV-only horsepower and the ability to accelerate at full throttle, etc.

 

I have to say, compared to my test drive of a Nissan Leaf, the PIP does not drive like an EV at all. the gas engine kicks in if you jump on the pedal the least little bit, and you lose the smooth effortless acceleration of a true EV. That said, the PIP has it all over the Volt in the passenger and cargo categories. If that doesn't matter to you, and commuter distance is more important than long distance, the Volt is the clear winner. That said, both cars are coming up for a re-boot, so keep that in mind if you are not in a hurry to buy.

 

If EV driving experience is important for you, go with Volt. If other things are more important, go with PiP to C-Max Energi.

I cannot charge my PiP now (temporary) and am I glad I have PiP. Can't go wrong with being efficient with both fuels.

 

Well then, forget about the PIP as a EV as you'll be extremely frustrated by it's limited range and low EV power.
The PIP has a 4.4 KWh battery, the Volt has a 16.5 KWh battery... you do the math.

Right now with the still cold temps here- my starting range in the morning is down to 8.9 EV miles- and I get even less when I climb a grade and try to accelerate w/the rest of the traffic.



FWIW- Full disclosure: I traded in my PIP for a 2014 Volt Sunday- I'm picking up the Volt tomorrow afternoon.

 

If you are ok with EV in city driving, PiP EV is more than sufficient. 50 MPG gas engine is great on the highway and refuels really fast. You can also use both battery and gas on highway.

If you like the division of labor depending on driving conditions (I find the change of fuel fun as I can control) PiP has a lot to offer.

 

I love the Volt but my son took it over and drives it like he stole it. Still, he averages 85% EV and doesn't know how to pump gas into it. If I steal the Volt and leave him the Prius he calls a friend for a ride rather than take the Prius.

 

I'm 6'-5". If you're over 6'-4" then you won't fit in the Volt front seats comfortably ... much less the back. That's my 'big person' view. Btw we used to own a RR too ... a 2001 model. It was blissfully quiet because it was in the shop - not running - all too frequently.

I wouldn't mind at all, getting a volt if it were bigger, & its charge sustain mpg were 6 or 8mpg better. But that turns on how often & how far you drive ... whether or not it's driven frequently or infrequently distances over 60 or 70 miles ... and whether your regular route will allow you the opportunity to charge.
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