Consumer Reports Pegs Prime EV Range at 28 Miles

Here is the video that goes with the article. Thanks to Hortevin from Hybrid Life in France

Not informative at all, I'm afraid, but nice to watch.

Jan

 

wow, was that negative! (but honest)

 

Ugh, more misrepresentation of Prius PHV design & intent.

 

that's because toyota hasn't told anyone what you have been promulgating here. how can you extent anything but the status quo?

everyone man, woman and child in this country was expecting pip two with more range and no loss of features. toyota never did anything to dissuade them from their expectations.

 

Why support the one-size-fits-all approach?

 

because it fit. why would i support the one that doesn't? if i could comprehend how it would change the world, i would.

 

That's easy. Just envision the same battery-pack being used in other vehicles... like the RAV4 hybrid.

 

it's just a battery pack. would a plug in 15 mile rav4 sell well? depends on price, features and lost space i suppose.
but why confuse the argument with potential future offerings?

 

Big picture recognition is absolutely essential. Toyota is a for-profit business. If they can re-use a component or approach, it's in their best interest to do so. A single offering cannot be analyzed as if it is alone, because it is not. Each decision affects the next.

 

Nope, still won't buy it til it seats 5. I don't care how you sugar coat it or what the excuse is. Toyota have ton of people who do nothing but sit around all day long thinking shit up. You're telling me not one of them can think up a way to seat 5 people? Now, if Toyota had to lose a seat to obtain PHEV60 to beat out the Volt then yeah, I'd consider it. Losing a seat for only 22 miles range? No thanks. I'll look elsewhere.

 

Maybe there's a small chance 22 miles ev is observed under 10 degree weather...

 

agreed, but it has nothing to do with the discussion here. most of us are looking at it as what is best for us.
there is a place for discussion of alt fuel vehicles though, and mfg.'s future models and decisions, and how they will affect the environment, geopolitics and etc.

 

Have you noticed how some luxury cars don't bother to offer a middle seat?

If the topic scope is only the immediate future for only this audience, that is indeed different. Of course, it means there is nothing left to discuss then and those who aren't looking to purchase soon have nothing to contribute.

My scope has always been delivering a solution for the masses. That's why the Classic Prius being smaller & slower didn't matter... we always knew bigger & faster would follow later... Camry & Highlander. How's that any different now with the plug?

 

Based on the thread title, this discussion is about Prime EV range, is it not? The other points raised in the video are being discussed elsewhere ad nauseum.

If CR can get 28 "without even trying", then what do current PiP owners think the actual Prime range may be?

 

Drift can be revealing though. In this case, we're seeing a pattern emerge...

The "5 seat" complaints are beginning to resemble the "full size" complaints.

Full-Size prospective buyers would post their disappointment about not fitting comfortably in a mid-size car. The advice was always to consider the purchase of a full-size hybrid instead.

How is this any different? If you have a full-size family, why are you considering the purchase of a mid-size car? And for that matter, why are you insisting that those of us who don't need that room should tradeoff back seat comfort/convenience (buckets with center-console are nicer) to accommodate a middle position that won't ever be used?

This is why consideration of the bigger picture is so important. Focusing on just a single offering makes points like that easy to overlook.

For years, I've been saying the target would be double the original... which was 20 km... 12.5 miles. Seeing that it will realistically deliver a solid 40km... 25 miles... what else is there to say?

Remember, Toyota has always downplayed, except that one time during a pre-estimate press release 5 years ago... which people to this day still quote. Saying 22 knowing more is easily possible fits that stance of under-promise, over-deliver we've become so accustomed to.

 

Hey, that sounds familiar...

Kirk: "How long to re-fit?"
Scotty: "Eight weeks. But you don't have eight weeks, so I'll do it for you in two."
Kirk: "Do you always multiply your repair estimates by a factor of four?"
Scotty: "How else to maintain my reputation as a miracle worker?"
Kirk: "Your reputation is safe with me."

 

of course, ev miles are like anything else. some will get 35, and some will complain about only getting 15. it all depends on your speed, topography, number of stops and lead foot.

well, from what i've seen, there are only two sides. those who are waiting for the right car for them (and we do a lot of whining) and those already in the car they want. i haven't seen any discussion of the future, and what types of vehicles we'll need to get there.

 

Yes I know some luxury cars and sports cars with rear seats only seats 2 in the back but the Prius Prime is neither a luxury car nor The Beast nor a sports car.
The only reason why few luxury cars seats 2 in the back is because they have full power adjustments with extendable foot rests with ridiculous seat controls heating/cooling controls, fridge, wine coolers and hidden compartments in the center console. They are catered to business people or people who expect luxury and comfort when traveling while not driving. If I can afford 300K+ on a car, I can afford a chauffeur to drive me around.
The only reason why sports cars with backseat only seats 2 is because the drive shaft and exhaust take up the center seat in order to lower the center of gravity and overall height of the car.
Toyota designed the Prime without beefing up the structure to handle the added weight of the battery and shift the weight that would have been used to accommodate the 5th passenger to accommodate the extra battery weight. The Prime has plenty of rooms elsewhere to stash the charger but choose to stash the charger in the center seat making it impossible to switch out the rear seat to accommodate 3 passengers. At least the first gen Caravan can unofficially seat 8 people if you were to buy a second 3rd row seat and mount it in the second row.

There was never any complaint about the Prius not being a full size car. People who want full size cars don't look at or consider the Prius. They look at Sonata PHEV, Accord PHEV, Fusion PHEV, C-Max PHEV, Camry Hybrid and Avalon Hybrid or the Prius v. Prius is the last thing on their minds.

I am posting my disappointment about the Prius Prime only seats 4. I am considering the Ioniq PHEV when it comes out.

The true mid-sized cars of today like the Accord, Camry, Legacy and Sonata are borderline full size and are almost as big on the inside as the full size cars of the 70's and 80's. The Prius Prime is classified as mid size yet only seats 4. What a waste.

Same reason why the Supra Turbo shove the rear seat on EVERYONE who wants own one but don't need it.
Toyota can design the same comfort and convenience for 5 seats as the current Prime's 4 seat. The LS600hL has power rear seats, extendable foot rest and crazy heat and seat controls and able to seat 5 so don't tell me Toyota can't do it.

 

Nice way to sum it up. The dynamic nature of this evolving market and the desire to shed legacy technology is naturally going to stir the pot and surprise some.

As always, there are tradeoffs. You can't please everyone. You can't inform everyone of all the factors involved either. Change happens... usually for good reason, even if we don't know why.

Thank goodness the real-world data helps tell the story. In the meantime, there will be much speculation, confusion, and dismay.