The Long Distance Prius

Michael Sherwood · 07-07-2007, 06:24 PM

One of the Prius myths (at least here in Australia) is that "it is no good on long trips" - meaning that the fuel economy is not good and that the car has insufficient performance for highway driving. My wife and I recently bought a Prius as our main vehicle to replace a diesel Land Rover.

We use the Prius for weekend trips to other cities (eg 1,000KM round trip) and it is comfortable, powerful enough and the fuel economy is fine. Cruising at 110KM/hr on the highway gives about 4.8 - 5.0 L/100KM (47 - 49 MPG) fuel usage (depending on the ambient temperature). The car does not slow down on hills when on cruise control. It is also quiet at speed compared with the Land Rover.

Space wise, there is enough room for dogs and/or grand-children and the accompanying paraphernalia.

The Prius is not just a city car. In fact, around town in Canberra, which has very few traffic snarls and has manily 80KM/hr connecting roads, the fuel economy is not much different from the highway.

Who else uses the Prius as the main vehicle and what are your experiences?

Cheers,

Grumpy

chuck_k · 07-07-2007, 06:27 PM

I agree wholeheartedly. It's extremely comfortable and not at all noisy, it's large, and it's very fuel efficient.

I do reserve final judgment for the winter, though.

jamarimutt · 07-07-2007, 07:02 PM

The Prius is as fit for everyday driving as any other similar car. It's a good all around performer, with the added conveniences of climate control, smart entry, top fuel economy and a shiftless transmission.

David Beale · 07-07-2007, 07:07 PM

I get about what you get on the highway. At 105 to 110 around 4.9 l/100 km. Around 5.5 to 6 at 117 km/hr. Best speed for fuel economy so far is around 70-80 km/hr. I see 4.2 l/100 km tanks at those speeds. Car still new (just under 5000 km on it).

Have taken two longish trips. One was 600 km return, the other 2500 km return. Both just fine on the trip.

vuapplepudding · 07-07-2007, 07:13 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Grumpy Old Man @ Jul 7 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]474785[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Who else uses the Prius as the main vehicle and what are your experiences?

[/b]

Grumpy Old Man

You sure don't sound grumpy to me.

Anyway, my PRIUS is my primary highway vehicle. I live in a area where there are a lot of big hills so it hurts my fuel efficiency. Also the winters are long and cold so that also hurts.

Basically, runnng at 80 - 85 MPH at a daily distance of 120 MILES, my annual average so far is 49 MPG. This is not great, but I am also somewhat of an aggressive driver. If I really try, I can get 50+ MPG combined city and highway.

Glad to see you enjoy your car.

The ride is smooth and quiet for the size of car.

Happy trails!

diamondlarry · 07-07-2007, 08:27 PM

I just got back from a trip that was 435 miles for the round trip. I had my wife and 2 kids in the car along with luggage. I ended up with 64.9 calculated mpg and the FCD showed 65.0. I kept the speed between 50 and 60 mph. I have just over 3K miles on the car(2007) and I see no problems with room, comfort, or fuel economy.

mrohde · 07-07-2007, 08:32 PM

I drive 80 miles a day on the highway doing 60-75 MPH and get millage around 51-53 MPG (or atleast i did until I changed tires last week).

Michgal007 · 07-07-2007, 08:50 PM

Congrats on your new Prius! Glad you are enjoying it.

Happy gliding!

JimN · 07-07-2007, 10:12 PM

Grumpy, welcome to the site. One day you may realize that the Prius has changed your driving style and outlook and you won't be grumpy anymore. If you haven't, inflate the tires to at least 42/40psi for another couple mpg. Enjoy the car.

Specialissimus · 07-08-2007, 02:35 AM

While the prius still gets great economy on long trips I've found I get FAR better economy in the city. Driving around anchorage stop and go below 45 MPH I get around 75 MPG while on the highway for long trips at almost twice the speed I get around 42-43 MPG. Don't get me wrong, it's still a killer road tripper but the city is where it truly shines.

I agree that it doesn't bog down on hills at all and is a joy to drive from a noise standpoint.

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07-07-2007, 06:24 PM	#1
Michael Sherwood Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 4 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	One of the Prius myths (at least here in Australia) is that "it is no good on long trips" - meaning that the fuel economy is not good and that the car has insufficient performance for highway driving. My wife and I recently bought a Prius as our main vehicle to replace a diesel Land Rover. We use the Prius for weekend trips to other cities (eg 1,000KM round trip) and it is comfortable, powerful enough and the fuel economy is fine. Cruising at 110KM/hr on the highway gives about 4.8 - 5.0 L/100KM (47 - 49 MPG) fuel usage (depending on the ambient temperature). The car does not slow down on hills when on cruise control. It is also quiet at speed compared with the Land Rover. Space wise, there is enough room for dogs and/or grand-children and the accompanying paraphernalia. The Prius is not just a city car. In fact, around town in Canberra, which has very few traffic snarls and has manily 80KM/hr connecting roads, the fuel economy is not much different from the highway. Who else uses the Prius as the main vehicle and what are your experiences? Cheers, Grumpy

07-07-2007, 06:27 PM	#2
chuck_k Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 87 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I agree wholeheartedly. It's extremely comfortable and not at all noisy, it's large, and it's very fuel efficient. I do reserve final judgment for the winter, though.

07-07-2007, 07:02 PM	#3
jamarimutt Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 972 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The Prius is as fit for everyday driving as any other similar car. It's a good all around performer, with the added conveniences of climate control, smart entry, top fuel economy and a shiftless transmission.

07-07-2007, 07:07 PM	#4
David Beale Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Edmonton Alberta Posts: 1,532 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I get about what you get on the highway. At 105 to 110 around 4.9 l/100 km. Around 5.5 to 6 at 117 km/hr. Best speed for fuel economy so far is around 70-80 km/hr. I see 4.2 l/100 km tanks at those speeds. Car still new (just under 5000 km on it). Have taken two longish trips. One was 600 km return, the other 2500 km return. Both just fine on the trip.

07-07-2007, 08:27 PM	#6
diamondlarry EPA MPG #'s killer Join Date: May 2007 Location: Elkhart, IN Posts: 520 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 3	I just got back from a trip that was 435 miles for the round trip. I had my wife and 2 kids in the car along with luggage. I ended up with 64.9 calculated mpg and the FCD showed 65.0. I kept the speed between 50 and 60 mph. I have just over 3K miles on the car(2007) and I see no problems with room, comfort, or fuel economy.

07-07-2007, 08:32 PM	#7
mrohde Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 17 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I drive 80 miles a day on the highway doing 60-75 MPH and get millage around 51-53 MPG (or atleast i did until I changed tires last week).

07-07-2007, 08:50 PM	#8
Michgal007 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan. Posts: 809 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #4 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Congrats on your new Prius! Glad you are enjoying it. Happy gliding!

07-07-2007, 10:12 PM	#9
JimN Certified Prius Advisor Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: South Jersey Posts: 2,191 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #3 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Grumpy, welcome to the site. One day you may realize that the Prius has changed your driving style and outlook and you won't be grumpy anymore. If you haven't, inflate the tires to at least 42/40psi for another couple mpg. Enjoy the car.

07-08-2007, 02:35 AM	#10
Specialissimus Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 27 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	While the prius still gets great economy on long trips I've found I get FAR better economy in the city. Driving around anchorage stop and go below 45 MPH I get around 75 MPG while on the highway for long trips at almost twice the speed I get around 42-43 MPG. Don't get me wrong, it's still a killer road tripper but the city is where it truly shines. I agree that it doesn't bog down on hills at all and is a joy to drive from a noise standpoint.