Consumer Reports Drives Touring Edition

[Boo]

[REPRINTED (more or less) FROM THE OTHER CR TESTS TOURING THREAD:]

Below is the complete written text of CR's Road Test of the Touring. (If I summon up the will to figure out how to successfully import the road test comparison charts/specs of the Standard vs Touring Prius, I'll do that later.)

Here are the points I found interesting:

1. Shorter 60-0 MPH Stopping Distance: At 143 feet dry and 152 feet wet, the Standard Prius' braking distances are subpar (they're only in about the 30th percentile of the 270+ current model cars CR has tested).
The Touring Prius' 133 feet dry and 140 feet wet braking distances are a huge improvement -- from subpar to very good.

2. Better Handling/Same Comfort: CR notes that the Touring has better handling and tested at 3 mph faster than the Standard in CR's accident avoidance/slalom tests.* Although this is an improvement, I think it's important to note that this did not result in a change of grades (e.g., from Good to Excellent) in handling or ride comfort categories. This comports with what I've read here on PriusChat from members who have driven both models extensively -- the Touring's handling is a little tighter and better; but its ride is not harsh and seems about the same as the Standard.

* Note on 3 MPH Accident Avoidance Improvement: The 2004 Standard Prius tested by CR did not have electronic stability control or "Vehicular Stability Control" as Toyota calls it; but the 2008 Touring that was tested has it.

3. Fewer MPG's: CR found that the Touring Prius averaged 2 fewer MPG's than the Standard Prius.

4. HIDs Low Beam Inadequate: It's not described fully in the Road Test, but CR graded the Standard Prius halogen headlights as "Good", while it gave the Touring Prius HID headlights its worst grade of "Poor" because of the low beam performance. This poor low beam performance of the HIDs has been previously noted by several or a lot of PriusChatters.


"Road Test

The high-end Touring version of Prius has wider wheels and tires and a tighter suspension than the car's base version. Along with an option package including electronic stability control, this Touring Prius did have better handling and braking than a previously tested base model. It got through our avoidance maneuver 3 mph faster, which puts it on a par with some of the better-performing family sedans. It also stopped about 10 feet shorter from 60 mph. The main performance drawback is lower mpg: 42 vs. 44. However, the edge in performance could give drivers an extra margin of safety. We think that's worth the extra money.

THE DRIVING EXPERIENCE

The Prius's ride is well controlled and provides good isolation and compliance. The highway ride is steady and composed, but road noise is pronounced on coarse pavement. When starting, the Prius is eerily quiet if powered only by the electric motor. When needed, the gas engine starts automatically, emitting a low-level engine hum. The Prius is not particularly agile, even in this Touring edition, and exhibits moderate body lean. Its speed through our avoidance maneuver was commendable and improved from the one we tested (which did not have optional ESC) in 2004. Overall, it was predictable and secure in our emergency-handling tests. Acceleration is similar to that of most four-cylinder models in this class, although the electric motor provides more initial response on takeoff. The vehicle is classified as a Partial Zero Emission Vehicle by the California Air Resources Board. To conserve fuel, the gas engine shuts off when the car comes to a stop, starting automatically if you need strong acceleration. Otherwise, the car can be lightly driven under electric power only. The smooth continuously variable transmission (CVT) is responsive and the dash-mounted shifter is easy to get used to. The Touring Edition comes with bigger wheels and wider tires than the Base model. Our Touring test car stopped very short in both wet and dry conditions -- considerably shorter than the non-Touring model we tested in 2004. Although the brake pedal has to modulate regenerative braking as well as the hydraulic brakes, it feels quite normal once you get used to it. Low-beam Xenon (HID) lights do not provide sufficient illumination forward to allow the driver time to see and react to objects in the road. The low beams illuminate well to the sides and have very good light intensity. The high beams have excellent intensity and good illumination forward.

INSIDE THE CABIN

Interior fit and finish is very good, and the materials are high quality. The high seating position offers a good forward view, but the two-piece rear window hampers visibility aft. Taller drivers may find the pedals too close. The firm front seats offer good side support, but the lack of height adjustment limits thigh support. The roomy rear seat offers generous leg room for two adults. Head room and thigh support are both sufficient. Access is easy. A center dash-mounted display shows fuel consumption and which power unit is working. Most audio and climate functions are located on the steering wheel, but others, accessible only through the dash display, can be inconvenient to use. Cabin storage space is good. There are two sturdy cup holders, both front and rear. The 60/40-split folding seats expand the cargo area.

SAFETY NOTES

Front seatback-mounted side-impact air bags and curtain head-protection air bags -- deploying to protect both front and rear outboard occupants -- are both standard. They supplement required front air bags and three-point seatbelts for each of the five seating positions. Front seatbelts have adjustable upper anchors to help provide a comfortable and safe fit for the shoulder belt and are equipped with pretensioners to reduce belt slack in a crash. Front air bag deployment is influenced by the driver's seat position and an occupant detection system for the front passenger seat. If the occupant detection system determines that the front passenger seat is occupied by a child or if the seat is unoccupied, it will automatically disable the front- and side-air bags for that seat. Pretensioners for that seat will also not deploy if the seat is unoccupied. There are adjustable and locking head restraints in all seats. Front versions are tall enough, even when lowered, to adequately reduce rearward head travel and whiplash injury for most; the rear restraints must be raised for taller, adult-size passengers. Driving with kids: Both front- and rear-facing seats should prove secure in the appropriate passenger positions. There are three top-tether anchors on the rear seatbacks and lower LATCH anchors in the rear outboard seats that are recessed but relatively easy to access.

RELIABILITY

We expect reliability to be much better than average, according to our latest subscriber survey.

Tested model: 2008 Touring 4-door hatchback, 1.5-liter Four hybrid, CVT
Major options: Pkg2. w/VSC, backup camera, CD, MP3; preferred accessory pkg.

This road test applies to the current model year of this vehicle."

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by Boo

Also, if you're a subscriber, you can see an interesting side by side comparison chart of the road test numbers of the Touring vs the Standard Prius. Most interesting to me was that the Touring has 10 feet (dry) and 12 feet (wet) shorter 60-0 mph braking distances than the Standard Prius.

Thanks. I manually selected a comparison between Touring and non-Touring. I didn't see any pre-generated comparison. The only diffs I note between them are:

0-60 time: 10.5s regular, 10.6s Touring.
- Perhaps due to random differences on the testing day or slightly more weight or drag on the Touring ?

braking: Good on regular, Very Good on Touring.
Dry: 143 ft on regular, 133 ft on Touring.
Wet: 152 on regular, 140 on Touring.

BTW, I'm convinced most of the braking improvement is just wheels and tires. Perhaps just a BIT related to better suspension, IMO.

Headlights: Good on regular, Poor on Touring (HID).

Width: 68" on regular, 69" on Touring. Hmm, do the wider wheels stick out half an inch on each side or just a bit and this is round-off error ?

Curb weight: 2950 lbs on regular, 2965 lbs on Touring. Hmm, Canadian Prius is listed as 2943 lbs. Perhaps this is a clue that we Canadians don't get the Touring suspension. Wonder if the Touring wheels are lighter than normal wheels or if something else makes up for the 7 lb difference to regular US Prius.

Percent weight, front/rear: 59/41 regular, 60/40 Touring. I presume the better suspension parts are weight concentrated in the front.

[Boo]

Very interesting. Maybe the 7 pound difference between the Touring Prius and the Canadian Prius is the HIDs? I'm thinking the self-leveling mechanism, among other things, could make the HIDs heavier. Also, does the Canadian Prius have the Touring's Bridgestone Turenza tires? If not, that could account for a lot or all of the weight difference between the Touring Prius and the Canadian Prius

IMO the differences between the Standard Prius and the Touring Prius in braking distances and gas mileage are 95 percent or more attributable to the wider (195 mm) tread and better tires.

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by Boo

Very interesting. Maybe the 7 pound difference between the Touring Prius and the Canadian Prius is the HIDs? I'm thinking the self-leveling mechanism, among other things, could make the HIDs heavier. Also, does the Canadian Prius have the Touring's Bridgestone Turenza tires? If not, that could account for a lot or all of the weight difference between the Touring Prius and the Canadian Prius

IMO the differences between the Standard Prius and the Touring Prius in braking distances and gas mileage are 95 percent or more attributable to the wider (195 mm) tread and better tires.

I know they are Bridgestone; that's what I saw at the dealer. They are the 7 spoke 16" wheels, so I presume the tires are P195/55R16. I'd bet they are the Turenza's because I don't see Toyota Canada ordering cars from Toyota Japan with different tires than one of the US models.

Interestingly the specs on the Toyota Canada website are probably wrong; they claim the standard (in the US) size of 185/65R15.

I think CR may also be wrong about curb weight. Both Toyota.Com brochure and Edmunds agree that ALL Prius models (including Touring) are 2932 lbs. I think very few people care if the specs are off by a few lbs.

[Boo]

Originally Posted by hiremichaelreid

Interestingly the specs on the Toyota Canada website are probably wrong; they claim the standard (in the US) size of 185/65R15.

They're right about the Standard US OEM size -- it is 185/65R15.

[ForTheGlory]

Originally Posted by hiremichaelreid

I think CR may also be wrong about curb weight. Both Toyota.Com brochure and Edmunds agree that ALL Prius models (including Touring) are 2932 lbs. I think very few people care if the specs are off by a few lbs.

I'm sure that Edmunds gets their information from Toyota, whereas Consumer Reports probably weighs each vehicle they buy. Toyota.com might just not differentiate between the standard and touring models when listing the specs.

[Tideland Prius]

Originally Posted by rigormortis

i doubt it, i think the touring is probably illegal in canada because of its lack of DRL's

toyota.ca doesn't even list it

the way i hear, it might not be correct but i recall reading about it on priuschat.com at least once: lay under the rear of your prius, look at the rear shocks/struts , you have the touring suspension if you have the red and yellow stickers on those parts

those colors might be orange and yellow, it is kinda dirty under there, heh

It's called "Special Edition" up here.

[hiremichaelreid]

Originally Posted by Boo

I hope a Canadian Prius owner checks out his/her rear shocks and replies.

According to BerkshirePrius' and my parts research, the Touring Prius has different (1) front stabilizer bar, (2) rear stabilizer bar, (3) rear springs, and (4) rear shocks than the Standard Prius.

I got my Canadian Prius 2 hours ago.

Where's the thread where the technical differences are discussed ?

I'll try to attach some pictures of my ummm... underside ? Any other angles needed ?

[hiremichaelreid]

Pics

[Linden]

Also - yes we have the Bridgestone Turenza tires on the Canadian Prius.