2012 Toyota Prius Plug-In: 15 mile EV range, 87 MPGe, $32,000

So many threads on the plug-in, it's hard to know here to chime in, but this initial story seems to be the best place to give a big thumbs to Toyota USA's (and Prius Team's?) configuration of the high-end "advanced" plug-in. It has everything I would want, and nothing I don't, with the possible exception of price. In what was left out and put in, I suspect I am joe average and that ToyotaUSA/Prius Team correctly interpreted its marketing research.

So what do I like so much? I am really happy to see the 8-way power seat. Should go a long way to improving the comfort and at very little mileage cost to me, giving my short trip driving. I really like having the tech toys that are not usually found in lower priced cars. Prius did a lot to pioneer the use of tech to blur the lines between luxury and economy cars. Now that other cars have largely caught up, Prius is stepping up by bringing HDD nav head unit, entunes and smartphone integration (yeah for remote AC), a better screen with dvd playback, and a heads up display. I also like the new green and blue colors, particularly the blue that reminds me of my original seaside blue 2004.

My biggest complaint about my current Prius is the ride over rough city streets. That should be at least a little improved by having the normal 15" tires, though it might give up a little handling and stability. I appreciate not being forced into mileage killing 17" tires. I've had to lower my tire pressure to 32 psi anyway, which totally negates the otherwise better handling of the wider, flatter tire. I also appreciate not being forced to buy the worthless parking assist or the lane keep assist that I never liked anyway (too much on and off chiming when it loses track of the lines, and way too fussy about how much steering feedback you have to give it - just tedious). I also don't care about and will not miss a sunroof.

I'm not totally convinced of the environmental correctness of not using leather, when we are raising and killing animals for meat anyway. The fake leather Toyota/Lexus is using is OK, but the real leather in the CT is much nicer. However, it is not really important to me. What is important is the seating comfort. The power seat should help, but the actual seat is still much, much better in the CT or even the Camry. The steerage wheel appears not to have changed, so the extension is still not good enough and the lower spokes still get in the way of what I consider the natural and comfortable way to hold the wheel when cruising.

So will I buy? cough, choke, sputter...Have you seen the price? Not sure yet. Just like with the CT, I'm not sure I need to have so much money invested in a car, or that if I do, I shouldn't just go find one with the most luxurious city suspension/ride/comfort I can find for the same price. Could just get another HyCam, if I didn't want a flat floor hatchback for occasional hauling. I'm not willing to go all electric, and the other plug-in options with a hatchback and flat floor are still rather limited at the moment. Ride and comfort are still big concerns. However, I'm seriously tempted. Had they come out with a low end version I might have opted for that more easily, despite my love of toys. The hassle of an out of state purchase is not helping. Big fail to Toyota for making it difficult to buy outside the East and West coasts.

 

For my mom, with just a 3-mile drive each way for work, the capacity would still cover her needs. She'd like the faster speed of the electric-heater compared to the engine too.

Look at it this way, Volt cannot pre-warm via the plug without starting it's engine. Volt also requires the engine to run whenever the temperature outside is below 25°F to warm the coolant to 150°F then will restart again once that coolant temperature drops below 104°F. So, it's not like GM is delivering a pure EV experience in the winter. Dealing with limited battery capacity is a challenge... want vs. need.
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Chilly? Some people jog in shorts when it warms up to the 40's here!

Lithium chemistry doesn't become a challenge for electricity transfer until the temperature dips below freezing. So, in the 40's likely isn't cold enough. Complete EV should be realistic.
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Appears to be a plastic cover over the wheel.

 

I live in a snow winter (but not artic) climate. I was thinking that for drives that exceed the nominal EV range of the car I would START the drive in HV mode to take advantage of ICE waste heat for the cabin, and later switch to EV + heated seats. We have choices in how the hybrid drivetrain works, it is up to us to use them efficiently.

 

Re: the color palette: the gamut will increase when purchaser volume justifies it. Since I want blizzard pearl -- I'm happy

 

The only cheesy detail I have noticed in all the pictures so far is the emergency blinker button LOL. In real life I hope it is not the cheap plastic used in Ronald McDonald noses it resembles in pictures.

 

It has been confirmed that it is a full alloy wheel without plastic cover.

 

Maybe you don't realize that not every Prius owner has a garage. So that would not be a solution for me.

Saving for the trip home doesn't help me neither because I would be able to charge near my work.

 

I didn't realise it was even *possible* to do such a short commute by car. But then again, look where I live...

 

Re: All 5 colors available on the 2012 Plug In Prius

Sea Glass is another chameleon color. Looks really different in different light. Here, the blue and green are hard to tell apart. Any shots of the blue in full sun? The blue is more of a baby blue than I was expecting, but I probably still prefer it.

 

Gonna throw a spanner in the works here but, and I'm going to be balanced here, is it just me or have they ruined the front end? It looks too 'fussy' now and over developed compared to the original gen3 face. To balance this I'll say I really prefer the new rear lights and think they really look the business.