So why Prius doesn't handle?

i think my prius handles GREAT !!! maybe itz because of the frame flex? my tires are at 44psi and totally stock suspension. i weigh 250, add another 250 for passengers.my Pc1 car handles great in torrential rain, switchbacks, volcanicmud, dry roads etc.

 

I just have to laugh at threads like this, where someone wants to make a Prius into a sports car. Please. It's like anything...you buy the right tool for the job. The Prius is the right tool for its intended purpose and it's success at fulfilling that purpose is evidenced by the huge sales success and the fact that the Prius is synonymous globally with very reliable and successful high mileage cars. If you want a Subaru WRX, go buy one. ;-)

BTW, how does anyone consider the Prius as having a high center of gravity with the engine and battery array in the low positions they are in?

 

So why doesn't the Prius handle?

Why doesn't a Ferrari get great fuel economy?

 

I totally agree !!! My 2010 Prius ll handles great at 75 t0 80 mph on the interstate highways around here. Handles well on 2 lane curvy roads as well. Steering is tight and feels normal. Handles much better than the Honda CRV we traded in. If yours is not handling good it would probably
a good idea to get it fixed before adding a lot of suspension mods.

 

For all the people out there who like a tight handling car there are just as many who want a softer, more comfortable ride. Mazda aim for one of those markets and Toyota the other. You should try living in Europe. Every bleeding car has 'sporty' suspension which just means they ride harder and you feel every bump in the road. Toyota is a breath of fresh air with their lighter steering and softer suspension.

If you spend a couple hours a day in a car for a commute and you're a young, stress head middle manager then a sporty car is for you. If you work in your car and spend 10-12 hours a day in it, or you're older and wiser or just want a relaxing drive, then a Prius is fine.

But, and I've said this many times before. A crap driver can make a fast car go fast. A good driver can make a slow car go fast. So the Prius may not handle well, but it depends on the driver to get the best out it

 

I'm not sure I've seen those sales numbers, but if the hybrid Accord out-sold the Prius, it's likely because the Accord is brand new and the Gen III Prius is now in its 6th model year. Also, historically sedans far outsell any other type of car, so I'm sure there is pent-up demand for a decent hybrid one.

Don't let the marketing or EPA numbers fool you. Look at the real-world reports on places like Fuelly and FuelEconomy.gov. No hybrid other than the Prius reliably turns out EPA or better numbers in the hands of real owners.

 

The Hybrid Accord does pretty well with an average 45 mpg according to fuelly. The Accord basic msrp starts at $29K where Prius at $24K. Sort of a difference if you ask me.

 

I often ride in my best buddy's Lexus IS350 w/sport package. It has 18 inch rims w/40 series sidewall and is lower than my car. You'd expect his car to ride harsher with the suspension setup and lower profile wheels - his car can out-corner my car in an instant. Amazing thing is his ride is more comfortable than my Prius even though he is lower to the ground, and has a smaller sidewall. Bumps on the road feel like nothing in his vehicle (it's also significantly quieter too but that is expected with a Lexus).

Of course comparing my Prius to his IS350 is like comparing an apple to a watermelon but damn....You can go low, run large tires and be comfortable too as long as the car was designed for it. Look at the Tesla Model S. 20 inch rims, w/ground hugging suspension. Ride inside is not harsh at all.

I would love to own a Tesla model S before retirement... but for now, my Prius will do.

 

@cyclopathic : my who? snores? hahaha,,, itz always personal.
my problem with my c is that it has no dig out,,, i like to turn at almost full speed and the car has no power to dig out of the turn. now i grant you i am doing this at 25mph on my volcano streets but i need the dig out to kinda settle me into the next venue from my turn. i have no racing background so i dont know an over from an understeer but i like to gun it in my turns to shoot like a rocket using that beyouuutiful instantaneous electric torque. itza great little go-kart.
as for suspension i still want to RAISE the c about an inch HIGHER.
oh yeah 25 mph is full speed because the speed limit here is 25mph in Hawaii (on suburban streets)

 

For sure, ''Cyclopathic'' does have a valid point on his take of the handling. I have added 215-55-16'' tires [ and new wheels ], TRD sway bar, Cusco front and middle braces, and a Cusco STB to get mine where I wanted it. It now handles on par with my past two RX350'S, and I can live with it as is. I added this stuff incrementally, deciding the next step was necessary, and stopped at the STB---which brought it all together. Great little car now, I will see if I can get 300,00 miles from it. The good news is that my fuel bill is slashed in 1/2, helping pay for all this. [ and still $18,000 less than a RX350 ]

 

I wonder if those high quality RS*R coilovers will allow for high levels of comfort and performance with the Prius. I'd love to try a set after my Tanabe's wear out. My tanabe's costed 900$, those RS*R's cost $1700

 

so

,,, i NEED to raise my car up about one inch,,, we have LAVA all over the road in Pahoa,,, after it cools a bit it is still hot,,, hahaha, anyway i must lift my car up about one inch,,,, is this so difficult or expensive ?!?

 

thank you,,, i will check all that out.

 

I don't think upgrades for good handling fully qualifies as "turning a Prius into a sports car."

For me, the point is that braking for turns is a waste of energy. It wastes the energy that you invested in achieving your momentum, which is followed by an additional expenditure of energy to regain your initial state of momentum. (The regenerative braking likely recovers no more than 30%.) Additionally, it is unavoidable that the turn itself absorbs momentum and also costs you energy.

There are a couple options for minimizing this waste:
a. don't drive to destinations that require turns
b. don't drive any faster than you can take your next turn.

I prefer the latter option. However, I am unwilling to drive around at 15 to 20 MPH hour all the time because that is impractical and it annoys other drivers who are sharing the road.

Therefore, I would like to increase the speed that I can safely use when making a turn. That requires making some upgrades to the suspension that Toyota probably didn't bother with, to minimize weight and manufacturing costs.

Adding the rear TRD swaybar made a big difference. But the front end still has too much sway, and the front suspension compresses too much and allows the front wheels rub on hard cornering. Perhaps it's time to look into an aftermarket swaybar for the font. Perhaps I should also be considering a set of stiffer springs.