2010 Toyota Prius review

[DrDesmo]

Top Gear: Jeremy Clarkson Drives a Toyota Prius

Prius More Enviromentally Damaging Than BMW M3



Adam

[erkishhorde]

Actually, now that I think about it, it's as ridiculous to lambast a Prius for being no fun to drive as it would be to criticize a Ferrari for not having cup holders.

Point. It's like Ferrari saying, "The rear view mirror is so small because you're going to be going too fast to care what's behind you anyway."

It's still fun to make fun of them though. 

[il d00d]

in fact, the prius is not that green

All "Prius is not so green" arguments originate from a single, non-peer reviewed article published by a company called "CNW Marketing."   They refuse to show their research.   Basically they made up some stuff.  Here is the long version of that statement, with numbers and science and whatnot.



That being said, the Prius is like diet motoring.  Bland, but ultimately better for its consumer.

[x136]

Actually, now that I think about it, it's as ridiculous to lambast a Prius for being no fun to drive as it would be to criticize a Ferrari for not having cup holders.

In this day and age, there's really no excuse for a car being completely boring to drive. With computerized/automatic frigging everything, it's not hard to add some kind of Whee Mode, even on a car otherwise intended to be sedate and dull.

[Drunken Monkey]

Ultimately the Prius is an uninteresting first step on the road to hybrid cars.

They tried to meld a conventional car / transmission with an electric assist drive. All that does is give you the worst of both worlds.

The next stage is something closer to a primarily electric car, with some ultra-efficient Micro turbine generator providing power for long drives. Plus turbines will run on anything (gasoline, diesel, bio-diesel, kerosene, ethanol)

As for that "how green is the Prius" study: Pure BS. One of their assumptions was that the Prius owner would junk the car completely at 100K miles  

[NAKID]

Well, yes and no. The first article says that the loaded version ran up close to $34k. No, contrast that with a Fit or a Versa that get in the 30's for mileage but cost half the price. How long will it take you to recoup the initial $17000 extra you paid over the cost of the Fit or Versa?

[Statler]

Prius has never been about saving money though.

[Randimus Maximus]

Well, yes and no. The first article says that the loaded version ran up close to $34k. No, contrast that with a Fit or a Versa that get in the 30's for mileage but cost half the price. How long will it take you to recoup the initial $17000 extra you paid over the cost of the Fit or Versa?

Not a fair comparison, as a Prius is classified as a Mid-Size vehicle, whereas the Fit and Versa both are classified as sub-compacts.

Also, try a source like www.intellichoice.com or www.edmunds.com and use their cost of ownership features to look at all costs involved, not just MSRPs.

[Popeye the Sailor]

Prius has never been about saving money though.

Or the environment.


If they really wanted to be useful (at least in California), those that have a vehicle that makes 0 emissions when not moving would swap their carpool stickers with the 18 wheelers, thus getting those guys off the road faster.

[il d00d]

Well, yes and no. The first article says that the loaded version ran up close to $34k. No, contrast that with a Fit or a Versa that get in the 30's for mileage but cost half the price. How long will it take you to recoup the initial $17000 extra you paid over the cost of the Fit or Versa?

You're asking how long it would be to recoup the cost of leather and navigation with better fuel efficiency?  Base:base the difference in MSRP is more like 7K.

[The Architect]

That car is just ugly!  The designers should be ashamed of themselves.  That car would be a little easier to accept if the designers had just put a little effort into it. 

Years from now, when cars will be more efficient, I hope we can look back and laugh at this thing.  But if this is the direction car design is heading, I'm buying a horse!

[Randimus Maximus]

That car is just ugly!  The designers should be ashamed of themselves.  That car would be a little easier to accept if the designers had just put a little effort into it. 

Years from now, when cars will be more efficient, I hope we can look back and laugh at this thing.  But if this is the direction car design is heading, I'm buying a horse!

It's called aerodynamics.

Why do you think the Honda Insight is virtually the exact same shape?

[herm]

ferrari makes an aerodynamic car as well, but few people refer to it as ugly....

a little off topic, but why cant Toyota put the diesel they use in the landcruiser 70 series  in the tundra? or for that matter sell the 70 series in the states?

or for that matter, why are we (USA) only now starting to see some of the clean, high mileage diesels that have been scooting around Europe for a while now?

[Drunken Monkey]

^^^^

I'd rather get a diesel over a hybrid, anyday.

[Triple J]

It's called aerodynamics.

Possibly a factor, but doubtful it is the overriding reason. The Honda Civic has a lower drag coefficient.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficients

edit: the 2009 model is better than most for drag.

My guess is the shape is for 3 reasons, in order of importance (1 and 2 are a very close, 3 is a distant 3rd IMO):

1) Toyota wanted the Prius to be a practical car for running errands around town. Hatchbacks are just that...small and can carry a lot.

2) Prius owners want everyone to know they are green, and driving an electric car. Toyota knew this, so they made the car look futuristic, or different. You can tell it's a Prius (aka smug mobile) from a mile away...just like their owners like it. 

3) Aerodynamics. Kinda important, but not as much as you'd think since the Prius is designed as an around town car...where aerodynamics are far less important.

That's my guess anyway. Fugly.