Thread repository for ALL non-PriusChat 2016 Prius reviews

The above graph is for Eco, correct? What about regular versions? At 65MPH(Typical highway), the difference between Gen 3 and Gen 4 Eco is 4MPG.

In that case, there is no difference between Gen 3 and Gen 4 regular (Non-Eco) version, is that correct?

 

We dont know 17" wheel package numbers since Wayne tested only Eco model with 15" wheels, however most of the difference in Eco vs other packages is weight, which does matters little at these speeds. Acceleration and stop/go driving is where the weight would influence a lot more, not at steady speeds.

However, another big change is that engine can turn off up until 70mph... so at 65mph, that would be big change in regular driving, so real life difference going up and down will be even bigger at 65 MPH since G4 will be able to turn off its engine at times. So possible difference between G3 and G4 at these speeds is even higher.

 

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Thanks for sharing. I've already created the EPA tables at: A Prius history of time | PriusChat It would be nice if the chart identified the specific model which based upon the EPA table appears to be the 2016 Prius Eco. Here is the relevant table:

	city	combined	highway	model
1	51 MPG (100%)	50 MPG (100%)	48 MPG (100%)	2015 Prius
2	54 MPG (105.9%)	52 MPG (104.0%)	50 MPG (104.2%)	2016 Prius: Non-Eco
3	58 MPG (113.7%)	56 MPG (112.0%)	53 MPG (110.4%)	2016 Prius: Eco

Bob Wilson

 

Hmm, if 70lbs makes some much difference (almost 4 MPG), think about having a passenger(150-200 lbs)? may be we should check them out the window!! .

But again it should not make difference in Highway at all, but there is the considerable difference as per the spec.
Based on some other reviews, differences of Eco seems to be
1. No spare tire
2. Li-On Battery(Except Base version)
3. Rear wiper removed(reduced turbulence at rear I guess)
4. Different tires(Even lower rolling resistance).

Can you please check with Toyota and confirm?

 

Oh!, other one I remember reading was about Low-E windshield glass. Seems to reduce AC load.

 

Depending upon whom one chooses to believe, the 0-60 times may be model dependent.

Bob Wilson

 

excellent, thank you!

 

You have to understand that highway ratings at EPA are not done at steady highway speeds... not at all. Highway tests has multiple accelerations and braking during the test, as well as going at various different speeds. Average speed is 48 MPH.

So there is no way to compare that to steady speed test that Wayne does to compare different vehicles.

You can find more info here:
Detailed Test Information

 

I understand that, but 70lbs is no way is going to make that much difference. That is an easy difference between driver to driver. (100lb lady driver vs 180lb male driver). Forget that, even with additional passenger we do not see that much difference in fuel economy (unless fully loaded to the brim).

That is definitely not it. May be there are some tuning differences in addition to above mentioned differences.

 

OH DAMN!!! they still got that annoying beeping when in reverse

 

The back up camera now has grid lines. Nice.
Looks like the display reflects more glare than that that of the Gen III.
The glossy white center console reminds me of the sink next to a dentist's chair.

Does the ICE sound as awful under load as the Gen III?

 

Correct but they are consistent tests. This means we can calculate a correction factor and apply it to any existing mph vs MPG chart and come up with a fair approximation. For example:

Take the 'thin line', the calibrated mph vs MPG and then use:

• 104.2% - 2016 non-Eco Prius MPG improvement at highway speeds
• 110.4% - 2016 Eco Prius MPG improvement at highway speeds

Now if one has lower speed metrics, the 'City' factors can be blended in:

• 105.9% - 2016 non-Eco Prius MPG improvement
• 113.7% - 2016 Eco Prius MPG improvement

Regardless, by May-June of 2016 we should be able to rent a 2016 model Prius for a weekend and make our measurements. Since I'm not really looking for a 2016 in the short-term, we can wait. Besides, the 2016 model has MPG up to 150 so I won't have to rely on 3d party Scangauge II (inaccurate) in some speed ranges.

Bob Wilson

 

Doesn't the Eco has active grill shutter or is it for all models?

If you are comparing Gen3 and Gen4 at 65mph (actually above 55mph), majority of the energy loss is pushing through the air, so aerodynamic is very important.

In stop and go traffic, most of the loss is in braking but you can recover that energy with regen brakes. On the highway, there is nothing you can do to recover aero loss. That's why Prius' City rating is higher than the Highway.

Besides that point, the difference between Gen3 and Gen4 is only noticeable when driven. Gen4 is quieter, absorbs more bumps and vibration, etc.

 

'Autoline Daily' reports it can reflect sunlight so bad he had to hold his hand out. He also didn't like the sun visors over the driver and passenger side windows. His third observation was some sort of 'hitch' in a maximum acceleration.

Source: AD #1747 – Lincoln MKZ Gets Continental Grille, Automated Parking Could Reduce Congestion, New Prius Driving Impressions – Autoline Daily

OK, now for the cons. The center touch screen is positioned in a way that causes a blinding reflection from the sun in many situations. When it does you have to drive with your right arm outstretched, and try to block the reflection with your hand. The sun visors are woefully short, leaving a big gap to the B-pillar when moved to the side windows. And when accelerating briskly from a dead stop there’s a short shudder from the powertrain. It feels like a clutch is slipping until it finally grabs, or is that the CVT belt?​

I intend to post a reply with a snarky comment about things 'auto-writers tend to ignore.' <GRINS>

Bob Wilson

 

i dont get it, who is saying anything else?

Of course they will be model dependent, due to lower weight, Eco will be slightly faster.