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

Sedans are more appealing now. Volt is expensive and small.

I'll have another look at the Fusion Hybrid and I'm looking forward to the Accord Hybrid.

It must really suck being a bully.

 

It must really suck having to feign victim every time somebody reveals the ridiculousness of your advocacy.

 

Enjoy your car....Wow a Mercedes!

 

Consider this - when I bought an Accord coupe new a few years back, Honda surveyed me about the car, not buying experience 3 times. 2 times online, and a written survey that was loooong.

yeah, I've bought 2 brand new Prius'. Know how many times I've been surveyed about how I like the Prius (not talking about the buying experience) ??? ZERO

So, how does Toyota find out about what Prius drivers like and don't like about their car? I guess from people that happen to phone or write in, but I'd guess most don't.

 

I think you hit on a core difference in values that may underlie the very different reactions to driving a Prius that are shown in the replies to this thread. I would differentiate the spenders who go for high bling from those who go for high performance, but neither would probably enjoy the Prius driving experience very much (not much bling, not much performance). We are also savers, the type that will use cash fuel payments if it saves a few pennies a gallon so Prius fits us fine . Extreme savers might even buy used rims and tires on eBay (ahem). Once pulled a Volvo out if a junkyard, pulled out the crushed front end, and drove it another five years although I never could get the front wheels aligned quite right! (Ahem) "SuperSaver" sounds so much nicer than "miser", don't you think?

Mutters, "Where's my Senior discount?"

 

I was surveyed both by Toyota and the dealer. The answers were mostly (Toyota) or all (dealer) positive.

 

Its' called customer survey from Toyota AND the dealership. I filled out both and sent them back.
First time I ever got a survey from both of the above. I am impressed with this approach. Ford sent me a survey, filled out and sent back.

The Government Motors cars - nothing for surveys. As soon as you drive off the lot - you are forgottened.

Not a good way to treat the customer.

But, the Government Motors driving experience has been corrected: no more Government Motors products.

Toyota has won me over (29 years and counting).

DBCassidy

My Prius driving experience: from the 1st test drive up to this very day it still amazes me!

My Volt driving experience: did NOT impress me at all.

Thats' the Toyota difference.

DBCassidy

 

I am sorry you feel that way, I have only been trying to help you out. To prove it I will write a letter to Toyota and tell them what a terrible company they are, and the damage they have done to you by forcing you to drive a Prius because Honda doesnt make a car better for you.

 

I'd like to see less Ad hominems and more constructive opinions and facts presented here. This forum should be a place where people are encouraged to share their opinion without having their character be insulted.

I use the GasBuddy app on my phone to locate the cheapest fuel in my area, and will pay cash if it's cheaper than credit (1% back on credit purchases). I'm looking to buy a rebuilt-titled Prius from a private party to save even more. Currently I'm commuting on my motorcycle while my recently married wife drives the TSX.

People sometimes say I'm cheap, but I correct them and say "frugal". I don't buy cheap poor quality stuff, I just don't overspend on quality.

... and I just noticed your avatar. The ability to stretch out in the back of the Prius is among the reasons I'm sold on it.

 

My legs hang pretty far over the front edge of the seat but that would be the case in most one size fits all cars. I've seen some luxury cars that have extendable seat cushions. It would be nice if Toyota would square off the front corners of seat cushion instead of rounding them. like this


I raised the tilt up on steering wheel for some more room for legs, actually where I used to set it a couple years ago. The car is ok for local commuting, but I'd prefer to rent a more comfortable car for a road trip. I can see how people with shorter legs than me (that would be most people) might be more comfortable.

 

Get a little concerned when driving 80 mph; starts to feel unstable.

 

The Prius is a great car for fuel mileage. If you can live with 25 mpg and want to see what Toyota can engineer, check out the new 250 IS. Great ride, handling and looks, HIDs standard, and not substantially more than a Prius IV.

Unfortunately, the IS300h is not offered in the US. Reports are 40 - 47 mpg for the Hybrid version. Perhaps some of this technology will cascade to the next generation Prius.

 

I've always considered myself to be a "car guy". After about 15 different cars in the last ten years I've driven a wide variety of different things out there, ranging from a 412 HP Mustang to a diesel F350 and V10-powered Excursion. I bought my Prius as a way to save money on my commute now that my wife is a full-time student and we're on one income again. I told myself I could live with a car that drives like an appliance in exchange for outstanding fuel economy and super low ownership costs.

And so far I'm very pleased with that. No doubt the Prius has adequate performance for doing the job that it was designed for. I don't like how the engine has to really wind up to climb an interstate grade or the general feeling of lethargy that it offers in most every driving situation. But I really like how efficient this thing is. It's enabled me to drive more places to do more things and still spend significantly less on fuel. It's not that I don't care about how the car drives, but that I care more about the money that stays in my wallet because I have it. So far I'm a very satisfied owner.

 

I've had my prius for 14 months now and 22500 miles and I have been extremely impressed with the car. I'm averaging 53 miles per gallon in all kinds of driving conditions and have no issues on any of the mountain passes here in Washington State and British Columbia. Compared to my previous premium unleaded 22 mpg car, the Prius has been such a money saver (aside from the monthly car payments). I've rented over 50+ cars over the last 15 years for work and it was a prius rental that prompted me to buy my own Prius.

 

I agree with you. I had a 2011 Prius Two. It was a great reliable car that got fantastic gasoline mileage but I wanted a better driving experience, a luxury car, so I bought a new 2014 Avalon Hybrid XLE Touring. It is more comfortable and I like the choice that I made plus the Avalon Hybrid gets acceptable MPG for me for a big car.

 

Everybody cares, at some level, about every aspect of a vehicle.
And every vehicle is a compromise of some aspect.

The Prius is top notch (for ICE vehicles) on fuel efficiency, and for about 30% of the population, the lowest carbon footprint.
It is lacking in the drive experience.
It is very good in the cargo capacity.

A pickup truck is awesome in the towing capacity, awful in passenger capacity and horrendous in fuel efficiency.

One of the reasons the Prius does so well is it does a lot of things extremely well.

Now though, some cars are being built that only compromise in long distance travel convenience.
For those that fit the driving pattern of an ev's range, there are even fewer compromises than you have with the Prius.

This is why I believe plugin's market share will surpass hybrids within 5 years of the next generation of plugins (Leaf 2, Volt 2, etc).
Fewer compromises, or less significant compromises.

 

...well I would say plug-in sales are currently putting a dent in hybrid sales for one reason: large incentives for plug-ins (state and Fed). The biggest incentive of all, in terms of sales numbers, is CA HOV stickers.

 

Almost two years into my Prius experience I have no regrets... my first winter driving it was satisfying - it did well on the roads and did not give me much grief going up my road (a big hill) except for one time and I still have its original tires on... I still get picked on at work when I block someone who has parked illegally in my spot (we have a police officer on staff and he has us block people in) or coworkers start yowling that can't get by "that Prius that is blocking someone in." (They drive SUVs and other big cars.) I even scared someone who was yowling up a storm about how to get by my car and might have to use it to deliver something in town... I waved my keys at her and said "Take it." She blanched several tints of pale and walked off muttering something about she hoped it would move on its own.

That being said, I still enjoy playing the pulse and glide game, but sometimes when I "forget" what I am driving, I am happily reminded when I park what my mileage is and I can smile... and I still love my gas station experiences.

Oh, and when I have to pass a big truck or something, there is still a "Wait, what?" moment when they realize they just got passed by a Prius... and I still have power to spare. It is not my diesel truck but I enjoy driving it. A lot.

Some things never change.

 

The utter FAIL of driver comfort is why I wish I never bought my Prius.

I love the tech. I don't use a cell phone hardly ever when driving, but the hands-free is nice (although it's standard on many cars and trucks out there), and I like the iPhone/BT and USB drive integration into the sound system...making trip music so much easier (whole MP3 collection on a 32GB drive and with space to spare).

MPG rocks! The key reason I went with the Prius over other options. I could have used a new(er) pickup (current one has over 200K on it), but since all my options got WORSE MPG than what I was already driving, the MPG was a big factor in choosing the Prius.

Still, the Prius 2012 sucked in driver comfort (I had to keep adjusting the seat to enter/exit). I sat in a 2013, and the slight improvements made all the difference (no need to keep changing the seat settings). Too bad I didn't get to test drive it for a couple of hours. It would have changed my mind back to being against buying one.

I know I lost over 35 pounds, so it could be a combination of aging and my bony nice person, but the driver seat just doesn't cut it, and even with an aftermarket pad helping, it's just not that comfortable for long drives on my buttocks, lower back, and perineum. So far, finding any kind of seat cushion that supports/pads better that FITS a Prius seat without creating new comfort issues has been daunting...in the least.

 

There is a Toyota dealer in my area that has a "rent before you buy" program. You rent the new Toyota and drive it for 3 days or so to see if you like it. I would imagine other dealers have this program. This is a terrific idea. I rented a new Camry for 3 days. I then bought a new Avalon. At that time they did not have Avalons in that program but I like my new Avalon. When you test drive a new car with the salesman beside you and drive around the block it is useless.