That would be handy. But I mean what would they call it, since "ultimate" indicates the last and best there is?
Not having Heads Up Display, I've got a similar question with our (2010) Prius: why am I having to glance down and over to the centre of the dash, to see the speedometer?
So Toyota can reuse dashboard components for those like @RCO and @kithmo who have their steering wheel on the wrong side.
I started missing my Gen 4 when I got the Hyundai Accent I rented out onto Mannheim Road (out of the O'Hare off site rental car lots) today. I believe I have found a car that is slower 0-40 than a Prius in ECO mode when you floor the accelerator. I feel like I'm driving Fred Flintstone's car. Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
Yes but you'll have to go back a few years in my case since my Gen 3 was purchased in 2009 and back then, only one other vehicle in the midsize non-luxury class had radar cruise control - Ford Fusion (Mondeo) and even then, it was offered beginning in 2010 so I got a year of no competition with DRCC. Also, the solar panel ventilation system means never getting into a steaming hot car. (Although the Gen 4's windows appear to be quite improved in terms of heat blockage). (Our Gen 4 isn't the top-of-the-line so no HUD for me) lol. You're speaking to the wrong person haha. You'll need to tweet at Toyota Australia or something. Toyota NZ brings in certified pre-owned Gen 1 PiPs from Japan and then converts it for local use (i.e. ensures the language is in English and replaces the headunit with a local headunit that's familiar to NZ Toyota owners). Does Australia have a similar programme?
Shouldn't take too long after they've abandoned the hydrogen project! WILMAaaaaaa!!!! Or perhaps the Moderator of the South.
No, nothing like that here - the manufacturers and importers tar the pre-owned imports as 2nd rate, and, I believe, even refuse to supply parts for them. And TOYOTA communications isn't real good - I emailed, asking about Intelligent Park Assist availability here in Australia (which it isn't). They replied "the vehicle has reversing cameras" - further enquiry had them sending me to the dealer - who had suggested I try TOYOTA Customer Service in the first place.
I was in the USA in May, and rented a few cars. I missed my Prius. Except in FL where I could get one. The Prius has such a refined ride, in its class, and noise permitting since Toyota is not Lexus, compared to all other cars. If you want to race, of course the BMW 428i of my partner is the best you can get. But they are built for different purposes. Not to mention that his BMW misses a lot of safety features, the software of the multimedia is horrible (whereas the one from Toyota is too simple and lacks basic features), and the overall experience in the cabin is from yesteryear. I have to admit that the 428i for the engine it has and the HPs has a quite good fuel consumption. In city driving, if you are careful, it can reach 6.5-7L/100km. Otherwise you are always around 8-10L/100km depending on what you do... The drive train of the Prius is so modern that most cars out there feel like dinosaurs. If I had to change my car, I would get another Prius, or a hybrid Lexus if I had the money (here in Europe they are quite overprices, vs USA), or even better a Tesla/Prime. Too bad that in Germany they are too busy selling diesels, instead of allowing and fostering/promoting charging of EVs. I wouldn't know where to plug in my vehicle. The only black spots on my Prius is 3 noises that are quite annoying and that I cannot figure out how to solve, without having Toyota mechanics tearing apart the whole thing and generating even more noises. Namely: 1) front left disc brake has a radial scratch (from rust?) and makes a repetitive noise when braking, especially at low speeds - Toyota said "brake more, it will eventually go away" - after 6 months it has only reduced a bit... 2) something has gone loose in the center console between the seats, and it rolls merrily when taking sharp bends or strong accelerations/braking. It is driving me insane - how do you open the center console/armrest without braking anything to see what it is rolling around? 3) a vibrating noise from behind the steering wheel, likely from either a) the OBD connector, b) the A/C plastic duct, c) the cover of the knee-airbag.... If the car did not have these things, my experience would be a 9. Why not a 10? because the automatic headlights, sign recognition and the DRCC are simply gimmicks that create more issues than they solve. I never use them.
Ahh that's too bad. You guys need to buy more hybrids as a whole to show interest in these types of vehicles. The multimedia unit is different between countries. I wonder how you found the North America navigation/multimedia unit in the Prius vs. the one in Europe. That fuel consumption for the 428i is really good, wow. I guess as long as you stay off boost, you can take advantage of the 2.0 litre displacement. Even 8-10L/100km is pretty good. Our old 2.4 litre Camry with a 4-spd (I know, it's 15 years ago now but I still see these cars around) would get 10.8-11.0L/100km in purely city driving. Highway consumption is 6.7L/100km which basically matched the ratings.
Toyota really thought things through with the Prius. I've had to navigate some very tight urban spaces in London this week, and the turning circle of my car is the same or less than even small city cars. It made my life so much easier this week, and I convinced me a bit more of just getting another Gen 4 next year when this one goes back. It's moments like this when the small things really count (even above fuel efficiency for me) I have to share this pic with you from today. It's an underground car park in inner London where it feels more like a chicane as you drive through looking for a space. The lady in the 2005 Prius ahead of me was having a really hard time. The folks in X5s and Range Rovers were twirling their steering wheels for what seemed hours, just to get into a space.
The turning radius on our (3rd gen) Touring is kinda abysmal: I really think there should a special space reserved in Hell for today's parking garage designers. And another for the City Planners that allow it.
In London UK space is always at a premium because of the (literally) ancient city design and narrow streets, not to mention the subways and sewers, AND it's all built on clay.
Who the heck designed that? A 5-year-old? Yeah the 17" wheels really increase the turning radius. The 15" ones are fine and about average for a compact car. (3 lanes to U-turn which means I can U-turn on a 2-lane road with street parking). The Gen 1 had a super tight turning radius but that was never matched ever again. The Gen 2 and 4 (15" wheels) have the same turning circle.
I don't think I'll be taking mine for granted. All I have to do is think back to the car I took my driving license test in... a 62' Galaxy with a 3 speed on the column.
I sold my first car (V8 320 hp) when it got 200 miles to the quart of oil. Hit the accelerator and watch the fuel gauge drop.
I have been driving other cars recently as car companies have asked me to test them. Volvo gave me a fully loaded XC90 T8 Twin Engine plug in hybrid for a week with air suspension and the kitchen sink. It was nice enough, and had plenty of shove (0-60 in around 5.5 seconds) After that week, I got back in the Gen 4, and thought, my god, this car is so much smoother than the Volvo. I think the XC90 had an 8 speed ASIN gearbox and despite air suspension, it was on 275/40 20inch wheels. Today, Volkswagen invited me to test all their latest models, including the new Arteon (again with 20 inch low profile wheels and air adaptive dampers) - the DSG gearbox was weird compared to the Prius. I wanted to enter a roundabout quickly and the gearbox lagged for a brief moment, so I applied more gas, and then it boosted away. I drove the Golf GTE plug in hybrid which was a better drive. Again, I got back in my Gen 4, and was pleasantly reminded that my humble Prius was quieter, smoother and a more comfortable ride than any of the VWs I tried. I love my Prius (but not enough to get a bumper sticker that says that phrase )
