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Prius Gen IV 2016 Review

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by inferno, Sep 10, 2015.

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  1. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    I just thought of starting a thread regarding critical reviews of how the reveal went and perhaps the "nightmares" Toyota went through in producing the Gen IV which already started rumors as early as 2013.

    Firstly, my opinions are merely opinions and not always right. I made fun of the iPad when it was first introduced and look at the success since then. Now we have the Apple Pencil to make fun of, but I do love the tech behind it...

    Anyway, to the 1st review of the thread.

    • The global reveal of the 2016 Prius was obviously forced - from the guy that introduced it (who wasn't great, and who said the exact same words through the mic more than once) - to the lame "car on wires"
    • My feel is that Toyota has sort of lost its oomph, why do they schedule a reveal 12AM EST in the US?
    • There was no personality in the reveal, great guys driving it, guy who introduces it has Prii...ok...
    • There is a "force" in appealing to the young crowd for sure (is that why maybe they decided to schedule it at 12AM)? It seems to be the hipster + dubstep crowd, which the announcer almost looked like he fit the part
    • I wonder if the coefficient drag is worse with the new design or better? Toyota seems to be "dubstepping" all its vehicles after it started with the Corolla. I am really curious about the coefficient drag because that'll at least tell me where the priorities are.
    • From Gen II to Gen III I saw an obvious sportiness improvement, from Gen III to Gen IV I see sportiness and a lot of "huh"?
    • I thought details would've been released (there was a note about that somewhere) during the reveal. It was everything we already know and seen, and there are still questions in the air.
    • I saw an iQ charger in the interior - why take up that space? This is old tech, or is it iQ charging 2.0 (which I doubt otherwise it should've been talked about). Wireless charging is about to get a boost, so why the heck would they put in old tech.
    • The middle screen/GPS module seems also underwhelming from the pics available - looks like it's the same old system in a slightly newer screen, it doesn't look up to today's standards...

    Overall, I'm a bit disappointed Toyota. But I will test drive one and learn about the vehicle itself. This was the hallmark of eco-friendliness, now it almost seems like it doesn't get the attention it deserves and it's being forced to be something else. Only time will tell on how this vehicle does. But after all the hoopla and "knock your socks off" expectations, I'm overall disappointed. The bar of expectation was probably set too high.

    But, alas, let's hear about the details. And I'm curious how the rest of the Prius line will follow in terms of economy (and hopefully not as weird in looks - notice I wrote "weird" and not bad!)
     
    #1 inferno, Sep 10, 2015
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  2. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    I am getting hyped.

    Rear independent suspension. Lower center of gravity (about the same as Scion FR-S). More efficient. More stylish.

    Leaked spec indicates lighter car with more horsepower.
     
    #2 usbseawolf2000, Sep 10, 2015
  3. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Maybe analogous to movies and their sequels?
     
    #3 Mendel Leisk, Sep 10, 2015
  4. Iamjo20

    Iamjo20 Member

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    I totally agree--I am very saddened, as i have been waiting for 8 years for this new Prius-----my 2008 prius is very low mileage, but really wanted a new updated Pri! I am hoping that maybe they will offer a new "C" model that MAY look better. I will want to see the new vehicle, look inside, and possibly drive it. But, alas, I think this design is regressive. BUT only MY opinion......just sad....
     
    #4 Iamjo20, Sep 10, 2015
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    :(
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 10, 2015
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  6. Jeff N

    Jeff N The answer is 0042

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    Like others, I will reserve my full judgement until I'm able to see and drive it in person.

    Overall, my impression so far is that the efficiency improvements they are hinting at are very impressive. They were already at the top of their game so squeezing another 10% or maybe even 20% on the Eco trim is near miraculous.

    The stylistic design of the new car seems obviously aimed at attracting a younger customer base. Many of today's Prius drivers are 45+ and I'm guessing Toyota didn't want the Prius to be the new Oldsmobile.

    I think some design elements are a bit "out there" for my sedate tastes but I think that's the intent.

    If I were in the market for another "gasser", the 4th generation Eco Prius (or more likely the PHV variant of it) would be at the top of my list along with the 2nd generation Volt. Since I'm aiming for a 200-300 mile range BEV as my next car in 2-3 years to go along with my existing 2011 Volt, I probably won't be buying a Toyota.
     
    #6 Jeff N, Sep 10, 2015
  7. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    You start hitting the cap and the Law of Diminishing Returns is in effect. The Gen 4 needs something else other than mpg and low emissions to attract buyers (especially with low gas prices). An IRS and low centre of gravity hinting at a fun to drive car could help. We have two more hurdles to clear - final specifications and first test drive impressions
     
    #7 Tideland Prius, Sep 11, 2015
  8. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    That's a very good point, with a maturing model, and some current owners likely to sit tight. I'm one of those, due to our budget for starters, and having a well maintained, low miles 2010.
     
    #8 Mendel Leisk, Sep 11, 2015
  9. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Indeed. This will probably target Gen 2 owners who skipped over the 3rd generation and are now due for a replacement.
     
    #9 Tideland Prius, Sep 11, 2015
  10. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Oh boy, are they in for a change.
     
    #10 Mendel Leisk, Sep 11, 2015
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  11. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    That's Me! I bought Priapus in August, 2004 and waited with anticipation for the Gen3. When I saw the Gen3, I just didn't care for the cockpit so I decided to wait until the Gen4. There are a lot of things I like about the Gen4 and some other things I know I'll get used to.
     
    #11 TonyPSchaefer, Sep 11, 2015
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  12. goldfinger

    goldfinger Active Member

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    This is not your father's oldsmobile.
     
    #12 goldfinger, Sep 11, 2015
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  13. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    That would be me.

    I didn't really even look at a Gen 3 because there was (and is) nothing wrong with my 2004, but also because of the reduced front-seat storage. The Gen 4 has gone further backwards in this area, and by a much larger step (looks like it was reduced by half compared with Gen 3, which was already reduced too much).
     
    #13 Lee Jay, Sep 11, 2015
  14. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    In a glorious bit of marketing-speak, Toyota says in the press release, "In fact, the height of the Prius’ front badge is exactly the same as that of Scion’s FR-S sports car – a remarkable achievement in height and mass reduction." Notice it doesn't say anything about the center of gravity of the new Prius in comparison to the FR-S (which has the lowest center of gravity of any mass-produced car today), only the relative height of the emblems--which has no bearing on the center of gravity, but very cleverly associates "FR-S" and "Prius" in the minds of readers and reporters without actually claiming anything they can be called out on later.
     
    #14 Vman455, Sep 11, 2015
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    shneaky.:sneaky:
     
    #15 bisco, Sep 11, 2015
  16. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Everybody knows the badge is the center of gravity. ;)
     
    #16 usbseawolf2000, Sep 12, 2015
  17. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Yeah but food for thought:

    The FR-S has a boxer engine under its low nose. The Prius has an engine of unknown specification and a hybrid system that has to all fit underneath.

    For those that don't know, a boxer engine is a horizontally-opposed engine which means the pistons are lying flat, sideways and pumping left/right as opposed to the normal engine which has pistons pumping up and down either in a row (inline engine) or in a V shape (V engine)
     
    #17 Tideland Prius, Sep 12, 2015
  18. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    We need a head-on pic of FR-S and Gen4.
     
    #18 usbseawolf2000, Sep 12, 2015
  19. Vman455

    Vman455 Senior Member

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    That supports the argument that the Prius' center of gravity will be higher than the FR-S'; the badge height is irrelevant. Or, as Car & Driver puts it:

    "Hood creases trail back from the badge, which Toyota proudly points out is positioned at the same low height as the Scion badge on the FR-S sports car. (This does not mean, however, that it will match that car’s ultralow center of gravity.)"

    I just find it amusing how marketing departments will put out irrelevant information like that, which nonetheless establishes a connection in the minds of readers where there really is none (as an example, Toyota could have refreshed the Gen 3 and moved the badge down to be at the same height as the FR-S', without changing anything else in the car--the height of the badge means nothing). In this case, the reaction is something like:

    FR-S = sporty car
    FR-S badge = new Prius badge
    new Prius = FR-S
    new Prius = sporty car

    ...which is exactly what Toyota intends.
     
    #19 Vman455, Sep 14, 2015
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  20. Blizzard_Persona

    Blizzard_Persona Senior Member

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    I'll too reserve full judgement until the full specs are released..... But am expecting as predicted a 10% bump in mpg..


    But visually I am very underwhelmed on the Gen4.


    I did not get "Blown Away" at all.... Sorry!

    The front end on the Gen4 looks just like the gen 3 and the rear looks like the Star Trek Enterprise. No thanks. I much prefer the clean and sleek look of the Gen3..
     
    #20 Blizzard_Persona, Sep 14, 2015
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