I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both

Potential Buyer · 08-14-2005, 05:29 AM

I rented a Civic Hybrid for a couple of days, then rented a 2005 Prius for a day. On GreenHybrid.com I wrote detailed reviews of my experiences, but rather than paste them here, it seems better to just link them.

Honda Civic Hybrid review
Toyota Prius review

Any thoughts or responses? Has anyone else had the same complaints I had?

UPDATE: To clarify any confusion, I'll give the cars numeric scores that reflect what I feel they're worth, on a scale of 0-100.

HCH: 85%

Bill Lumbergh · 08-14-2005, 05:52 AM

There is a button on the steering wheel to change preset radio channels (I do it every 5 min. or so). It's on the left side, labeled "^ v", right below the volume control.

Fueling issue isn't so bad once you've figured it out....I mean, you only have to fill up every 400-500 miles, so you won't be fighting it often.

I normally leave the MFD off now, as I can play with radio stuff, change the A/C and recirc modes from the steering wheel. Only time I have mine on is when i care about looking at the fuel mileage.

I agree with you about the braking. Tough to get used to. I'm used to brakes that are enhanced with stainless braided lines, so they slow the car the HARDER you push the pedal, but on the Prius it seems more like the farther you push the pedal the more brakes you get. Too often I feel like I'm not slowing quickly enough, so I push a little more and the nose dives as I suddenly decelerate.

Surprised to read how poor the Civic's mileage was. Not surprised about the steering, though. Typical slow response.

KMO · 08-14-2005, 08:32 AM

The vanity mirrors do have lights; maybe they were turned off.

The steering wheel buttons are very dim on the US Prius, apparently - right-hand drive cars don't have this problem.

deh2k · 08-14-2005, 10:40 AM

I may be in the minority but I have had no problems with the fuel bladder. And I live in a cold climate where the effects are supposed to be worse. I usually fill up when the bar starts flashing, at which time I generally get in about 10 gallons when the pump clicks off. The fuel gauge and the ability to fill the tank are as good as or better than any other car I've owned.

Mine is a 2005 model that I bought in November 2004.

On the other hand, I have a friend who bought a 2004 model about a year earlier and he can only get about 6 gallons in. He's never had the nerve to find out how much gas is really left when the bar starts flashing.

DaveinOlyWA · 08-14-2005, 10:52 AM

interesting reviw but i have to agree that you are perpetuating myths about the Prius. the radio, bladder, the light for the vanity mirrors, starting the car, etc...all problems that only newbies would have. you simply didnt explore the Prius enough to make a value judgement on it.

then driving at 80-90 mph...hmmm

longjohn931 · 08-14-2005, 11:12 AM

I agree with you Dave, I can't respond to the HCH test, but the irritations with the Prius are just those things that you adjust to as with any new car model.

His hwy speeds reflect his low mpg averages however was no surprise to me that they were as low as they were, 80-90 mph is not an economy drive.

Finally, as we all know, hybrid driving is a learning experience, and it is impossible to get any fair reviews from short driving experiences.

KTPhil · 08-14-2005, 01:35 PM

"on the Prius it seems more like the farther you push the pedal the more brakes you get."

It is designed this way by use of a "stroke simulator" to provide the same feel as a normal brake system, wherein fluid displacement frpom pedal travel results in braking, not mere pedal pressure.

wstander · 08-14-2005, 02:16 PM

There is an old racer's adage about non-sanctioned claims:

deduct 1000rpm
drop 1 gear
deduct 10% of speed

to this I add...deduct 10% on high mileage claims

I would like to know where this fellow 'regularly cruises at 80-90mph'

mehrenst · 08-14-2005, 02:22 PM

Sorry you didn't see fit to mentiion the significant difference in the interior room. I am a larger person and was unable to fit between the HCH seat/steering wheel while there is no problem with the Prius. BTW, I tried the Accord hybrid too and it was also very limiting in space.

Also, the fill up problem you had is likely related to the settings of the pump's auto-shutoff. Use the "slow flow" rate on the pump handle latch (what's the rush?). I've had the pump click game happen once at slow flow and simply drove to a different pump (same station). Since then its never happened. Frankly, I'd rather have the tight fit bladder than the fumes that leak with the large filler pipes.

Yeah, the steering wheel lights are kind of winpy but then if you have to look there its just as distracting as lookng at the MFD. They do have easily identified locations so I just poke what I want.

bookrats · 08-14-2005, 02:38 PM

Re: the MFD: I've switched it off, and use the steering (or other) controls almost exclusively.

About the only time I have it on is when I want to custom-set the air conditioner/heater, or take a brief glance at the MPG.

Other than that, I've found it distracting, and just leave it off. To each their own.

08-14-2005, 05:29 AM	#1
Potential Buyer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 290 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both I rented a Civic Hybrid for a couple of days, then rented a 2005 Prius for a day. On GreenHybrid.com I wrote detailed reviews of my experiences, but rather than paste them here, it seems better to just link them. Honda Civic Hybrid review Toyota Prius review Any thoughts or responses? Has anyone else had the same complaints I had? UPDATE: To clarify any confusion, I'll give the cars numeric scores that reflect what I feel they're worth, on a scale of 0-100. HCH: 85%

08-14-2005, 05:52 AM	#2
Bill Lumbergh USAF Aircraft Maintainer Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: The 09836 area Posts: 533 My Car: 2005 Prius Model: N/A Package: #1 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 1	Re: I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both There is a button on the steering wheel to change preset radio channels (I do it every 5 min. or so). It's on the left side, labeled "^ v", right below the volume control. Fueling issue isn't so bad once you've figured it out....I mean, you only have to fill up every 400-500 miles, so you won't be fighting it often. I normally leave the MFD off now, as I can play with radio stuff, change the A/C and recirc modes from the steering wheel. Only time I have mine on is when i care about looking at the fuel mileage. I agree with you about the braking. Tough to get used to. I'm used to brakes that are enhanced with stainless braided lines, so they slow the car the HARDER you push the pedal, but on the Prius it seems more like the farther you push the pedal the more brakes you get. Too often I feel like I'm not slowing quickly enough, so I push a little more and the nose dives as I suddenly decelerate. Surprised to read how poor the Civic's mileage was. Not surprised about the steering, though. Typical slow response.

08-14-2005, 11:12 AM	#6
longjohn931 Join Date: May 2005 Location: Orlando, FL. Posts: 98 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both I agree with you Dave, I can't respond to the HCH test, but the irritations with the Prius are just those things that you adjust to as with any new car model. His hwy speeds reflect his low mpg averages however was no surprise to me that they were as low as they were, 80-90 mph is not an economy drive. Finally, as we all know, hybrid driving is a learning experience, and it is impossible to get any fair reviews from short driving experiences.

08-14-2005, 02:22 PM	#9
mehrenst Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 411 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: I rented a Prius and a HCH; here are my reviews of both Sorry you didn't see fit to mentiion the significant difference in the interior room. I am a larger person and was unable to fit between the HCH seat/steering wheel while there is no problem with the Prius. BTW, I tried the Accord hybrid too and it was also very limiting in space. Also, the fill up problem you had is likely related to the settings of the pump's auto-shutoff. Use the "slow flow" rate on the pump handle latch (what's the rush?). I've had the pump click game happen once at slow flow and simply drove to a different pump (same station). Since then its never happened. Frankly, I'd rather have the tight fit bladder than the fumes that leak with the large filler pipes. Yeah, the steering wheel lights are kind of winpy but then if you have to look there its just as distracting as lookng at the MFD. They do have easily identified locations so I just poke what I want.

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08-14-2005, 08:32 AM	#3
KMO Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Cambridge, UK Posts: 936 My Car: 2009 Prius Model: Package: T Spirit Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	The vanity mirrors do have lights; maybe they were turned off. The steering wheel buttons are very dim on the US Prius, apparently - right-hand drive cars don't have this problem.

08-14-2005, 10:40 AM	#4
deh2k Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 239 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I may be in the minority but I have had no problems with the fuel bladder. And I live in a cold climate where the effects are supposed to be worse. I usually fill up when the bar starts flashing, at which time I generally get in about 10 gallons when the pump clicks off. The fuel gauge and the ability to fill the tank are as good as or better than any other car I've owned. Mine is a 2005 model that I bought in November 2004. On the other hand, I have a friend who bought a 2004 model about a year earlier and he can only get about 6 gallons in. He's never had the nerve to find out how much gas is really left when the bar starts flashing.

08-14-2005, 10:52 AM	#5
DaveinOlyWA 3rd Time was Solariffic!! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Puget Sound, WA Posts: 12,378 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Solar Roof Thanks: 24 Thanked 121 Times in 103 Posts Friends: 10	interesting reviw but i have to agree that you are perpetuating myths about the Prius. the radio, bladder, the light for the vanity mirrors, starting the car, etc...all problems that only newbies would have. you simply didnt explore the Prius enough to make a value judgement on it. then driving at 80-90 mph...hmmm

08-14-2005, 01:35 PM	#7
KTPhil Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1,313 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Friends: 0	"on the Prius it seems more like the farther you push the pedal the more brakes you get." It is designed this way by use of a "stroke simulator" to provide the same feel as a normal brake system, wherein fluid displacement frpom pedal travel results in braking, not mere pedal pressure.

08-14-2005, 02:16 PM	#8
wstander Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 982 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	There is an old racer's adage about non-sanctioned claims: deduct 1000rpm drop 1 gear deduct 10% of speed to this I add...deduct 10% on high mileage claims I would like to know where this fellow 'regularly cruises at 80-90mph'

08-14-2005, 02:38 PM	#10
bookrats Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 2,843 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Re: the MFD: I've switched it off, and use the steering (or other) controls almost exclusively. About the only time I have it on is when I want to custom-set the air conditioner/heater, or take a brief glance at the MPG. Other than that, I've found it distracting, and just leave it off. To each their own.