The designer of the 2016 Prius speaks out on his decision of the final design

I have considered FR-S but it was out of question due to really bad MPG. I need an inexpensive good handling small rliable commuter with MPG above 40 and hatch to carry things, how many you can list?

 

You've described my dilemma perfectly. Well, except that we're lucky to put 10,000 kms yearly on a car now. But that combo is addictive!

 

Well at least you can get Mazda2 hatch in Canada.

 

How many miles a year do you drive? Do you drive 12k miles a year or do you just want over 40 MPG combined because you are that eco conscious? A Honda Fit or Toyota Yaris wouldn't work?

I hardly call $25k starting price on Prius 'inexpensive'. $19k starting price closer to 'inexpensive'.

Btw, a Scion FR-S is an arduous car to get in and out due to its extremely low seat position. Night and day difference between an FR-S and Prius,.

I think you might need some guidance in car shopping.

 

Yeah, not to many folks cross shopping Prius with FR-S

Wonder if he's just as "active" over in the Scion FR-S Forums?

 

my 10mo old Prius C commuter has over 25k and 6yo Gen3 183? Thnx for offering help tho.

don't get hang up on FR-S it was given as an example for oranji of the only Toyota currently sold in US which is fun to drive. Well you could probably add tC if you stretch and iA but it is cramped and it is Mazda not Toyota.


http://jalopnik.com/the-2016-toyota-prius-is-an-enthusiasts-car-1743767307
Read this it is a good article which puts our discussion into context. I just happen to be one of the individuals who cares about MPG and lateral G at the same time.

 

Just took a look on Mazda Canada, looks like that was discontinued in 2014.

 

I read it a couple days ago. I think the Prius is not only for people who care about MPGs, but really care, a lot, about MPGs. And perhaps they should be driving over 10k miles a year given cost of Prius.
The typical gearhead, racer wannabee car nuts will mostly be turned off by Prius and deem it as fugly. I've been looking at it skeptically, but seeing it in person sealed the deal: No go. The interior just ruined any possibility but it is what it is.
Plenty of other worthy cars to choose from. Besides, I like Honda, a lot. I like motorcycles, they make them, I've owned Honda motorcycles, they are great.
Toyota has their thing and emphasis, and they work for legions of drivers, but Corolla, Rav4, Prius, Camry, etc ... not my cup of tea.

I trust Car and Driver's opinions quite a bit. I know they like to stomp the gas and burn up the twisties on their little test drives. Did that for years on two wheels, CBR, GSXR, FZ this and that. Taking care of 87 y/o mother and her affairs these days, no time for risky business on motorcycles. But, gotta have some amount of fun and sportiness amid the grind of Bay Area traffic.

I don't believe the Prius will be a conventionally 'fun' car to drive given its 121 HP and near 10 second 0 to 60 time. But that is ok, it has adequate power for daily driving. I'm sure its turn-in and turning is much better now. Great. Enjoy!

 

I saw new Mazda2 in Montreal in September. I think they just started to sell them and website hasn't been updated? They sell sedan version in US as Scion iA and Yaris sedan in Canada. I sat in iA in dealership and while trunk was huge it was cramped inside. There were barely enough headroom in the back seat for someone less 170cm. I think it was due to sedan's lower roof. Since I've never set in Mazda2 hatch can't comment on actual interior space.
Mazdas generally fun to drive, reliable and frugal, so it would have been on my short list if they brought it here.

 

bummer. But then again they make way more money on CX-3 and it costs them a penny over Mazda2 so with capacity running full...

When we got C Mazda3 hatch with stick was on my list but <40mpg was a deal breaker, and it was 1k more than C

 

Fiat 500?

 

Better still, the 500e so you can piss off Sergio Marchionne: Fiat CEO: Fiat Loses $14,000 On Every 500e Sold

Bob Wilson

 

Yes - you can lease one for $99.00 a month. That's the cost for ones cell phone bill.

 

reliable? Hatch to carry things? 40mpg?

 

Reliability is hit and miss, but fold down the seats, and it can carry a lot. 40 mpg is claimed.

 

thnx but I prefer C. Cheaper, better MPG more space, spare tire and more reliable. I've driven Fiat and wasn't impressed with handling; IMHO my C with $210 worth of improvements will outhandle base 500. Which btw is rated 38mpg EPA, not 40.

 

This is right off Fiat's website:

40 Highway MPG+
Breeze by the gas station. With fuel efficiency of
up to 31 city / 40 highway mpg+, your FIAT® 500 is anything but a gas guzzler.

 

combined epa 38MPG check fuel economy .gov. Regardless let's get back to Prius design. I think they should make him to drive across U.S. for a month or two and live off the car, then would he be so rosy about his creation? Toyota did that with old minivan and as a result we got new Siena, much more practical car