Pruis Plug-in vs Volt Motortrend Review

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Penny's Dad, Nov 29, 2010.

  1. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,046
    16,263
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Keep in mind that you're comparing the Volt's standard capacity with the Prius' max capacity. The Prius is rated at 15 cu in Canada (probably because they counted the stuff below the tonneau cover while TMS included the area above the tonneau cover).


    It's still larger than the Volt by 5 cu. ft. but we gotta compare apples to apples. (e.g. the smart holds 9 cu ft below the rear window but 12 cu ft if you count the area all the way to the roof...).

    If you want to see how large 21 cu ft is, look an the trunk of a full size luxury car (XJ, A8 and LS without rear cooler and executive package). The Prius is definitely not 21 cu. ft.
     
  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    3,000
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    It is good to know Canadian cargo number. Do you have the numbers for Volt and Insight?
     
  3. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,046
    16,263
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    None for the Volt yet.

    Insight:
    450L (15.9 cu.ft.)/891L (31.5 cu. ft) Seat up/down


    The Prius brochure shows the cargo capacity as 445L (15.7 cu. ft.).


    I'm curious if they include the underfloor box. Our 2002 Camry had 16.1 cu. ft of trunk space and it was very spacious. We no longer have it so I can't compare it. I do know the 2010's cargo area is taller underneath the tonneau cover. I have a full-size soft case luggage that won't fit in the 2005 with the tonneau cover drawn but it will in the 2010.
     
  4. o2cool

    o2cool o2cool

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2007
    48
    8
    0
    Location:
    Palo Alto, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    One thing that people, in general, do not appreciate about the Prius. It was designed to be a super efficient vehicle and, because we are on the 3rd generation, it really is just that. It is efficient beyond my belief in terms of interior room (no problem going surfing with a 9 ft surfboard inside). Prius is very light weight for its size. It is also very aerodynamic. Light weight + aerodynamic + efficient drive train + efficient engine + efficient energy management = super efficient vehicle. It looks like the Volt was designed to be something else: a PHEV for people who do not care about efficiency.
     
    1 person likes this.
  5. telmo744

    telmo744 HSD fanatic

    Joined:
    Apr 8, 2010
    2,181
    769
    0
    Location:
    Portugal
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Contradiction: if people did not care for the environment, which is directly linked to efficiency, they would not care to charge it or to drive it carefully.:confused:
     
  6. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    telmo, he means those who would be cool with the 37 MPG figure and buy Volt because it's GM. It's more like they're not looking for max efficiency.

    There's already a post from a couple who passed on a Volt after seeing the range and 37 MPG figure.

    I really think the 37 MPG and purchase cost will just bite that car. No rocket science there.
     
  7. mindmachine

    mindmachine Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    394
    79
    7
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Just wait till they figure out how much the cold weather EV range drops that 37 MPG down. I am betting on large losses in winter EV range based on what is being reported for the Prius Plug in. Of course the ICE looses efficiency in winter too! If you live in a cold climate those GM Volt lovers better wake up.

    I get 50 to 55 MPG in my Gen III in the summer and in winter especially Jan i go down into the 20 to 30 MPG range or if on a longer trip i might get up into the high 30's or even make it into the low 40's. If the Volt Ice has to warm up and the EV range drops 50% in sub freezing weather just think about it.
     
  8. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Really? We're just about Winter now here SF Bay Area. Granted it's only 40 to 50 F range, but I'm still pulling 46 MPG in a 2009, no hypermiling, trips from 2 miles to 8 miles only. Low altitude though. If there's such a thing as winter blend gas, we may be on that too.
     
  9. mindmachine

    mindmachine Member

    Joined:
    Jul 11, 2009
    394
    79
    7
    Location:
    Ohio
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced

    My 2007 performed just about the same identical way except it did not do quite as well in summer as my Gen III.

    Sub freezing has a big impact when the car is 13 F in the mourning it has to warm up 3 or 4 min before you drive it or it is to sluggish to drive safely. Plus the ice runs for every stop sign until i go a few miles. If i make a 4 or 5 mile trip the ice runs the whole time and its getting around 22 to 24 MPG on those short trips.

    We have 8 deg F here this am and it will kill my mileage on a 2 mile trip i need to make this mourning.

    When we are in the 50 F range like you mentioned i get the same as you around mid to high 40"s MPG, and we are at 1200 ft above sea level here.
     
    1 person likes this.
  10. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

    Joined:
    Oct 28, 2010
    7,899
    6,689
    0
    Location:
    Redneck Riviera (Gulf South)
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Some people will buy the Volt for the same reasons some people buy the Prius:

    They like the lines of the vehicle.
    It's new.
    They can be "seen" to care about the environment (like MY company...)
    They like the wheels.
    They're not what you would call 'super informed' about EV's, PHEV's, SCHEV's, MTLAHEV's, etc...
    whatever...

    There's probably already a VOLT forum out there that's extolling the virtues of this car to the determent of Priuses, LEAFs and Insights---just like some people on this sight (and those who are LEAF and Insight cheerleaders) argue like religious zealots, political hacks, and soccer fans about the fact that anybody who drives anything but a Prius is an uneducated cretin.

    I suspect that if the VOLT survives the economics test and reaches a third generation, some upstart will come along and threaten its hold on whatever niche it carves out in the personal transportation market.

    There really is nothing new under the sun.
     
  11. adric22

    adric22 Ev and Hybrid Enthusiast

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    642
    144
    2
    Location:
    Fort Worth, TX
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    The price-tag difference alone will be what defines the difference between a market success and failure. I expect the PHV Prius to be a hot seller, the Volt will always be considered a hot seller but only because the supply is so limited there will always be a waiting list, making it look like a hotter commodity than it is.

    In the end, GM may have a good product, but when people drive down the road the only plug-in cars they will see are Nissan Leaf and Prius PHV for the first few years.
     
  12. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,046
    16,263
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Cruising at 90km/h (56mph), at -40, the instant fuel economy gauge was at 7L/100km (33.6mpg). At that time, I had 75% of the lower air dam blocked. even after a 30 min drive and starting out at a +18°C garage, the engine never warmed up.
     
    1 person likes this.
  13. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    http://gm-volt.com/forum/showthread.php?5953-How-far-on-a-charge

    Volt owners are out there excitedly driving their new cars and reporting data. It's a good thing and I'm happy for them. I've not heard much Prius or other car bashing on the site above. If the Volt does well and GM embraces it, well, that's a good thing indeed.

     
    1 person likes this.
  14. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2008
    8,245
    1,202
    0
    Location:
    NorCal
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    -40 F ambient temperature !

    I've heard about -10 F being very cold, but -40 F , yikes! :eek:
     
  15. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,046
    16,263
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    1 person likes this.
  16. F8L

    F8L Protecting Habitat & AG Lands

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2006
    19,011
    4,081
    50
    Location:
    Grass Valley, CA.
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I agree. If the people buying/easing them are happy then that is what maters. 37mpg is not that bad although still well below the Prius unless they rarely use CS mode. I just wish they had done better on the emissions.
     
  17. morgasshk

    morgasshk TMCA Sales and Product Trainer

    Joined:
    Aug 5, 2008
    14
    4
    0
    Location:
    Brisbane
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    1 is from a company that is known for a lack of durability and reliability
    1 is from a company that is FOR distinct reliability and durability...

    1 has received millions/billions in handouts from the government
    1 has received NO handouts and only adds and contributes to the country they are made in - ie: US, Australia, Japan, etc

    1 is new and expensive as hell
    1 is proven over 13 years of ongoing R and D and 4 generations of development and anything from 5-20k cheaper (will await official prices)

    1 is supposedly pretty and appealing to the eye - again, subjective
    1 is quirky, interesting looking and has a polarising look - love it or hate it - does not just look like ANY other car!

    Ok, I got no more atm... lol
     
  18. hampdenwireless

    hampdenwireless Active Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    1,104
    86
    0
    Location:
    Baltimore MD
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Really? Is Honda making a plug in?

    Seriously though Toyota is better then GM overall but the difference in quality is far from clear cut and much smaller then it used to be.

    "Champion said Honda is the top manufacturer for reliability, with the Honda and Acura brands consistently at the top of the survey due to a continued emphasis on quality. Champion said the Dearborn, Mich.-based Ford has several individual models that have better quality than Toyotas. Ford's quality resurgence was led by the Fusion midsize sedan, which outranked Honda's Accord and Toyota's Camry, two of the most reliable cars on the road. Ford's improvements began five years ago and have continued, Champion said.
    General Motors showed the most improvement. GM had 69 models with average or better reliability, up from only 21 last year. GM's top-ranked brand was Chevrolet at 17, up from 25 last year."


    Most Reliable Cars: Honda, Toyota Top Consumer Reports Rankings
     
  19. Tekdeus

    Tekdeus Shifted to Green

    Joined:
    Dec 23, 2010
    151
    19
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver
    Vehicle:
    2004 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I wanted a volt, but all this info is really pushing me towards just going full PHEV with my existing Prius. I live in Vancouver BC where most of our electricity is generated by water/hyrdo. It would be very satisfying to go full EV and 100% emissions-free completely.
     
  20. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

    Joined:
    Sep 22, 2004
    14,487
    3,000
    0
    Location:
    Fort Lee, NJ
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    PHV Prius, iQ EV and RAV4 EV are coming out in about a year. If my current ride still works fine, I would wait and see. It is easier to make decision when you have more choices and you know the pluses and minuses.