Topic: First Drive: 2016 Toyota Prius

[Threader]

The least ugly Prius yet. Maybe in another 15 years it might even be appealing.

[X-Traction]

I don't know what speed is used to calculate the air drag, but it's easier to get a lower number on a larger/longer car than on a smaller car.  The Smart gets relatively poor highway mileage because you can only streamline something like that so much.

That white sink-like bin in the console.  Maybe as an option they could offer a faucet and taps on it.

As for the styling, if I look at it too long I can feel a headache coming on.

[Neromanceres]

As a Volt owner I will give my nickel's worth.

As has already been stated the power is roughly the same simply due to the way Toyota has changed it rating system.

As for weight the powertrain is lighter but the car is heavier.  This is built on a flexible platform that carries a lot of overhead to cover many different vehicles.   Also It has an independent rear suspension and more sound deadening material.

The biggest complaints of a Prius has been that it's slow and handles very poorly.  It appears at least Toyota has addressed the handling part but It will still be considered slow.

I agree looks are an acquired taste.   The first time I saw it I hated it.  I still don't like it but I now hate it less.

One of the benefits of the 3rd generation Prius was that it was a well packaged car with decent space.  Now this 4th Gen Prius has less space than the 2nd Generation Volt.  Appears to be a sacrifice for IRS and better handling.

The 2017 plug in Prius better bring something big to the table.  If it's going to go head to head with the Gen 2 Volt.

[johngenx]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

[mixmanmash]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

I'd like a RAV4 EV.

[johngenx]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

I'd like a RAV4 EV.

Ironically Toyota made an EV RAV a long time ago. Interesting story.

[EV Dan]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

I'd like a RAV4 EV.

Ironically Toyota made an EV RAV a long time ago. Interesting story.

And to add insult to irony it had a Tesla powertrain, was made in Canada and never sold here.

New Prius at CR:
https://youtu.be/6GwUY0-gB0Q

[Ex-airbalancer]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

We will take a look at the Rav once it is out about a year , and oil drops to $30 barrel 😏



Mark

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[disngaj]

Hyundai has now hired (in addition to the acclaimed Peter Schreyer) another European designer, along with a European suspension engineer - THEY, to my mind, are taking design seriously. I've been a fan of Toyota quality/reliability for a long time (especially after 14 years of owning my trusty 4Runner), but this Prius - along with the putrid Mirai - is embarrassing. I am not normally obsessed with appearance, but I really would not want to be seen in this.

[EV Dan]

Hyundai has now hired (in addition to the acclaimed Peter Schreyer) another European designer, along with a European suspension engineer - THEY, to my mind, are taking design seriously. I've been a fan of Toyota quality/reliability for a long time (especially after 14 years of owning my trusty 4Runner), but this Prius - along with the putrid Mirai - is embarrassing. I am not normally obsessed with appearance, but I really would not want to be seen in this.

I think I heard a rumour that H worked with Lotus on the latest Genesis' suspension. Not sure if true and I haven't driven it for comparison. As for the latest Toyota and Lexus models, like they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I have a soft spot for Toyota, owned a new FJ at some point, still love its looks, but the more I see this Prius, the more clueless I get how this was allowed to become a production car. It's like they lost the good blueprints, went with a random sketch and pretended that was the intention all along.    My prediction is in 2 years it will get a complete redesign.

[Cord]

I think I heard a rumour that H worked with Lotus on the latest Genesis' suspension.

Just like the Isuzu Impulse! 

[Ex-airbalancer]

I hope it is has less road noise than a Gen 3

[EV-Light]

Hyundai has now hired (in addition to the acclaimed Peter Schreyer) another European designer, along with a European suspension engineer - THEY, to my mind, are taking design seriously. I've been a fan of Toyota quality/reliability for a long time (especially after 14 years of owning my trusty 4Runner), but this Prius - along with the putrid Mirai - is embarrassing. I am not normally obsessed with appearance, but I really would not want to be seen in this.

I think I heard a rumour that H worked with Lotus on the latest Genesis' suspension. Not sure if true and I haven't driven it for comparison. As for the latest Toyota and Lexus models, like they say "beauty is in the eye of the beholder". I have a soft spot for Toyota, owned a new FJ at some point, still love its looks, but the more I see this Prius, the more clueless I get how this was allowed to become a production car. It's like they lost the good blueprints, went with a random sketch and pretended that was the intention all along.    My prediction is in 2 years it will get a complete redesign.

I share the same feeling...I was expecting this model to be truly revolutionary - again - instead Toyota delivered us this thing. How am I supposed to replace the Jetta with a Prius now ? :/


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[mixmanmash]

I think I heard a rumour that H worked with Lotus on the latest Genesis' suspension.

Just like the Isuzu Impulse! 

Yep.  I remember those days.  They had it written on the door sill - "Handling by Lotus" or something like that.

[OliverD]

I'll reserve judgment on the looks until I see one.

I'd really want the RAV hybrid instead.

I'd like a RAV4 EV.

Ironically Toyota made an EV RAV a long time ago. Interesting story.

And to add insult to irony it had a Tesla powertrain, was made in Canada and never sold here.

There was also an EV version of the first gen model which was built in Japan.

[dkaz]

This redesign is pretty cool. People who don't want an out there hybrid will buy a Camry hybrid instead.

[mixmanmash]

This redesign is pretty cool. People who don't want an out there hybrid will buy a Camry hybrid instead.

You have a twisted sense of cool.  Lol.

[JohnM]

Driving reviews suggest it is quieter, handles better and feels livelier than gen 3.   All in all good but I have to agree that the loss of capacity and headroom is too large for just a .01 decrease in cd.

Cheers,
John M.