Could this be why the Prius is popular?

[Godiva]

Carmakers adding high tech perks.

When friends check out Aaron Priest's new Acura TL sedan, the oohs and aahs start on the inside.

Forget the powerful 3.5-liter, 286-horsepower engine; they're more enthralled with the car's rearview video camera and the in-dash voice-command system.

"The technology is what gets people the most," said Priest, a 23-year-old lab technician at The Scripps Research Institute in San Diego. "They don't really care anymore about what's under the hood. It's all about what's in the car now."

How much of this list looks familiar?

rearview video camera
in-dash voice-command system
heated cup holders
air-conditioned glove compartments
rear-facing cameras
voice-activated navigation systems
keys that automatically unlock your car as soon as you're within three feet of it
Auxiliary jacks for portable music players
Bluetooth wireless for handsfree cell phone
IPod integration kits to control the portable player from steering wheel buttons while keeping the gadget hidden in a glove box or center console
key-chain ignition: the vehicle can be started from the warmth of one's home on cold mornings
ultrasonic parking assistance

[darelldd]

From what I can tell, the environmentally-minded folks enjoy it for the relatively clean operation AND many of the fun goodies. The non-environmentally-minded folks seem to like it most for HOV access (if in one of those states) and because they can save money on gas AND because of many of the fun goodies.. There is likely a small subset of folks who fall between the cracks somewhere who like it first and foremost for the high-end gadgets at a budget price.

What amazes me the most is how few non-Prius owners even acknowledge that there are other reasons that the Prius is an attractive vehicle (beyond the hybridness).

[TonyPSchaefer]

Yeah, I love that.

Nissan's making a big deal about the push button start. I had that two years ago.

Oh yeah, think CVT a new thing brought to you by Nissan? Nope.

[Stev0]

What I like best about my Prius, in this order:

1. Low gas mileage/Low emissions (tie)
2. Cargo/Storage/People space
3. The techno-goodies
4. The cool looks

So yeah, it's not a gadget-laden car that happens to get great gas mileage; it's a car that gets great gas mileage that happens to be gadget-laden.

[jendbbay]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Stev0 @ Mar 4 2007, 11:23 PM) [snapback]400146[/snapback]</div>

What I like best about my Prius, in this order:

1. Low gas mileage/Low emissions (tie)
2. Cargo/Storage/People space
3. The techno-goodies
4. The cool looks

So yeah, it's not a gadget-laden car that happens to get great gas mileage; it's a car that gets great gas mileage that happens to be gadget-laden.
[/b]

This is basically my list too, except that I love the acceleration from a standstill. I'm not saying that I come anywhere near flooring it. My foot has never been close the floor. But, compared to my 9 year old Honda Accord and my 18 year old Honda Accord, this thing is so wonderful when leaving the stop sign. I also found that once I stopped being so timid about giving it some gas, my MPG Improved! The fact that it is such a high quality car that presents a new type of driving challenge and reward is really big on my list. By the way, this is my first no-stick transmission. I never thought I would say this, but I am so done with sticks!

[TonyPSchaefer]

Storage is another thing that wins people over. I love showing the folding front and back seats. Then the under-cargo area. To protect the cargo carpet, I show them the side storage where I keep my drop cloth. And who doesn't remember the day they discovered the under-center-console drawer? Another favorite: two glove boxes and a shelf!

[cireecnop1]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Mar 4 2007, 09:17 PM) [snapback]400142[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, I love that.

Nissan's making a big deal about the push button start. I had that two years ago.

Oh yeah, think CVT a new thing brought to you by Nissan? Nope.
[/b]

Thast's funny, I bought my 07 Nissan Versa for the bluetooth and the smart key option as well as the CVT. And I dumped it for a car with the PZEV rating. sorry Nissan, you just weren't my cup of tea.

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer @ Mar 4 2007, 08:17 PM) [snapback]400142[/snapback]</div>

Yeah, I love that.

Nissan's making a big deal about the push button start. I had that two years ago.

Oh yeah, think CVT a new thing brought to you by Nissan? Nope.
[/b]

Well, push button start existed on other cars prior to the Prius. The BMW 7 series had back in 02 (if not earlier). As for Nissan making a big deal about it, they've differentiated themselves by bring it to some their lower end cars like the Sentra and Versa. How many econoboxes have that?

CVT? As far as I know, the first production vehicle sold in the US w/a CVT was the Subaru Justy in 1989. Nissan also has made it available (or the only choice) on quite a few vehicles in the US such as the Murano (had it for awhile), Altima, Versa, Sentra, Maxima. That's quite a few more distinct models w/available CVTs than most manufacturers.

[Godiva]

What gets me is the people calling the Prius some kind of stripped down econobox but with a hybrid subsidy tacked on to the price. In otherwords....overpriced.

Yet how much on that list is available on the Prius. And for how many years?

[cwerdna]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva @ Mar 4 2007, 10:52 PM) [snapback]400191[/snapback]</div>

What gets me is the people calling the Prius some kind of stripped down econobox but with a hybrid subsidy tacked on to the price. In otherwords....overpriced.

Yet how much on that list is available on the Prius. And for how many years?
[/b]

I wouldn't go so far to say it's overpriced considering Toyota was losing $ on each 1st gen Prius sold until near the end (unclear about current gen), but in all seriousness, despite a lot of goodies that you can get on a Prius, it DOES in many ways compare to an econobox. Examples include curb weight, size, screw on antenna that sticks out instead of a power antenna or integrated into rear window, engine noise and refinement, power (110 hp is econobox class), ride (it's definitely closer to Corolla ride quality than my former somewhat too soft 02 Nissan Maxima), and interior [no fake/real wood trim, interior isn't really upscale].

There's a bunch of stuff you can't get on a Prius that you can get on some other medium sized cars like power seats, heated seats, rear window sunshade, nav system that receives traffic updates, leather (until the 06 model year), sunroof, trip computer (beyond just telling you MPG), dual zone climate control, and HVAC for rear passengers.