What percentage of Prius drivers actually think about the driving experience?

Totally agree. In heavy traffic, one driver going S L O W frustrates drivers behind them. Those drivers get irritated, start pulling out to pass.

IMO, the big safety hazards on freeway: following too closely and quick, unsafe lane changes.

 

Not too much competition there now. consumer Reports says Fusion Hybrid is 20% under average reliability.

C-Max is 144% under avg reliability

Accord Hybrid is slim pickens for now: Wait list city, dealers calling each other to locate one. BS actually.

 

The internet price the guy I work for got his BMW 335i for a little over 42k. My bro in law did the same and got 7k off MSRP for his totally loaded diesel Passat. He paid less than I did for my Prius 2.

 

I'm 175 and 5'10" with a 36" waist, 42" chest and 17" neck. I am not FAT.

 

I absolutely agree. The Prius has changed my perception. I no longer feel frustrated during my weekday commutes home, from work in grid lock crawling from a stop and go traffic on the freeway. While observing all the unhappy conventional non-hybrid drivers around me, I find myself smiling profusely; as I know, the heavier the traffic, the better my gas mileage. This afternoon I achieved 80.1 MPG. Incredible!. I'm continually smiling as I drive past gas stations, saving money at the pump, and watching my bank and retirement accounts grow. I had a blast driving my smooth steering Prius up through the mountains and my evening ride back down the mountains was so nice, I never noticed the downward momentum was moving me at excessive speeds around the curves, until I glanced at my speedometer; whoa; better watch that next time. Power mode provides all the power I want. I have no problem merging onto the freeway, keeping pace with the flow of traffic, passing other cars, or going uphill. I toggle between Power, ECO and EV modes. "I'm having fun in my Prius". It's perfect for me. Enjoy the journey.

 

Seriously? All the 'unhappy' conventional non-hybrid drivers are really unhappy? Sounds too good to be true.

Gee, if this car provides that much happiness and bliss, why is it not even close to the top selling car in the US?

June 2014 U.S. Passenger Car Sales Rankings - Top 151 Best-Selling Cars In America - Every Car Ranked - GOOD CAR BAD CAR

This Consumer Reports reviewer is not exactly gushing over the Prius from 1'40" to 3' in this video

Toyota Prius 2010-2014 road test - Consumer Reports Video Hub

 

A Consumer Reports test drive on a closed circuit doesn't come close to the experience of driving a Prius in a daily commute week after week. CR only compares various traits to other cars and points out the differences, good or bad. The reviewer also brought some of his own prejudices to the table, such as the dislike for the rear window without any consideration to what difference it does or doesn't make once you've gotten used to it. The same with the dash and complaints about how many different screens there are for information.

I had the same opinion on the rear window when we rented a 2010, but found it made little difference over the course of the 1,100 miles we drove in 3 days. And while I too don't understand the placement of the heated seat controls, the location doesn't affect their operation. Having just picked up our Prius 4 on Thursday, I'm still getting used to the placement of the speedometer, but I'm sure it'll become habit soon enough. At least he didn't complain that it's digital instead of analog, like so many reviewers did when my 1988 Grand Prix was released.

And while he wasn't gushing, I actually thought the review was pretty fair, though I would have preferred he not let the prejudices affect his choice of wording. Nothing wrong with pointing out the rear window and seat controls, but an objective reviewer would not have added what I thought were personal comments. He did kind of make up for it with comments about rear seating, storage space, etc., and his closing comment. There's no doubt the Prius is a different car and takes some adjustment, especially if you want to maximize your mpg. However, I know people who still can't get used to have a Start button and different shifter on the new cars they bought that aren't a Prius. And I'll bet a lot of GM customers would much prefer a Start button to the ignition problems they've been dealing with.

 

the only reason prius is not more popular is because people 'think' their happiness comes from accelleration, speed and weaving in and out of traffic. if people could drive one for a couple months, there would be a tremendous drop in blood pressure.

 

The next time you're stuck in 1, 2, 3 or the worst yet, 4 hour traffic, have a look around you. Notice the vehicles and observe the animated behavior(ex: smacking the steering wheel) and growing frustration in the faces of the drivers surrounding you. I know that look, as I use to feel just like them in the gas guzzling 2001 V6 Ford Escape I previously owned. Unfortunately the Prius' popularity is lost in US drivers' perception of satisfying their need for speed. They equate their happiness with power and acceleration. All that power and speed is absolutely useless during my weekday commutes in grid lock, crawling from a stop and go traffic, or my short trips around town. The Top 151 Best-Selling Cars In America lists the Prius as #17, both the Corolla and Matrix as #4, and the Camry as #1. That's awesome! My experience is different driving in a Prius. It's the best vehicle I have ever owned.

 

Yes, less frustration, less accidents and more courtesy and consideration. How different our world would be. In my dreams...

 

had a porshe behind me on a 30 mph road today. road my bumper for miles, then pedal to the metal when i finally turned off. see, you by a car like that and think it's going to be fun. but it's just frustration on the congested roads of our country. at least around here.

 

I think you are confusing what is leading to frustration.
It isn't the type of car, it is the type of driver.

 

agreed, but as witnessed to here, put those drivers in a prius, and some of them will chill. now getting those drivers into a prius? aye, there's the rub.

 

It depends on what they want. I'm happily averaging 58 MPG and prefer the larger, more versatile cargo space and spare tire available in my Prius Hatchback rated 51city/48hwy=50mpg combined, rather than the limited trunk space and tire repair kit provided in the 50city/45hwy=48mpg combined Accord Hybrid Sedan, and $29,155 MSRP as a starting base price is unappealing, considering I purchased my brand new 2013 Prius Four Hatchback, November 1, 2013 for less.

 

I received surveys in the mail and online from the Toyota dealer and from my bank's auto buying consultant Matt, who found and negotiated the price for my 2013 Toyota Prius Four for me, at the online quoted price I received from True Car. I'm happy I took advantage of my bank's auto buying program and recommend it to everyone.

 

You sound miserable. If you're so unhappy with your Prius, why do you still own it? Life is too short. Why not trade it in for a car you can enjoy?

 

$32,500 + $10,000 + $7,500 in 6 years that's why

but, wait a minute, hold on ....

driving back home tonight, i put a slender throw pillow behind my head and neck and it felt good ....

There's not much support in the upper seatback for me ... because seatback is 1 notch too far back ... because it has to be ** ... because the seat bottom tilt is a LOT at low height settings ... because that's the way, uh huh ... they made it. ....

** Try increasing the tilt (UP) on your power seat cushion (too much), push seatback forward a bit too much and drive around for a while. ....

Next, leave the seat cushion tilt up too much (front of multi-button), but do not change it (pretend it's not adjustable like the non-power seat), recline the seatback back to take pressure off legs and check that out ... then you'll know how it can be for a tall driver in a Three or Two.

at mid seat-height settings the tilt is average, so congrats all you 5'3" ish to 5'9" folks, Prius liftback is optimized for you!!

 

This.

I was having a tough time getting the deal I wanted on the new Three and almost persuaded myself to get the Sonata Hybrid (have always loved the look of that one) but just couldn't do it because of the cargo space. I have a dog, and it's a lot easier to keep her back there when driving vs. in the back seat. It's flat, has a rubber liner so she doesn't slide, and people can still sit in the back seats while she's in the car.

If she were larger (she's about 43 lbs.) it might be tight but it works great for us