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Honda CRV vs 2020 Prius Prime for trip to Rocky Mountains

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Northerner, Aug 5, 2020.

  1. Northerner

    Northerner Active Member

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    So..... I have a 2020 Prime Limited that we bought for mostly city driving and a 2015 Honda CRV that we inherited and the kept for hard winter driving conditions. My wife and I both prefer driving the Prime in the city. We’re split, however, on which vehicle to drive on a trip to the Rocky Mountains this fall.
    Well, I’m interested in opinions. Does the Prime, fully loaded with gear, food, coolers perform OK in Rocky Mountain National Park? I know the CRV will. Also, Once arrived and unpacked and just the two of us, with no other load, is having a CRV worth it?
    FWIW, I value mileage efficiency and decreased CO2 emissions more than my wife does.
     
  2. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    I live in flatland but before the lockdown we took occasional trips to the nearby driftless area which has rolling hills. Personally even in those modest hills I feel the prime is underpowered going uphill. I felt the same with my gen 2 Prius.
     
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    I think it depends on how far off the beaten path you are going. For typical park goers, the Prime or any car should be fine.
     
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  4. Tips

    Tips Member

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    I have a 2020 Prius Prime. The prime will handle anything you can throw at it without any issue'z in the mountains. I live in Grand Forks, B.C. and drove too Trail , B.C. today . Two mountian passes to travers. The car handles this with ease! 228 kilometers for the trip there and return at 3.1 liters per 100 kilometers , I think 78 US miles per gal. You will love the Rav. Prime. The only thing it may not appreciate is off road travel in rocks and mud.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  5. Tips

    Tips Member

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    The Prius Prime will be good too take, enjoy and have a thrifty holiday!

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  6. mistermojorizin

    mistermojorizin Active Member

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    I've driven over the grapevine (6% max grade, 4k ft peak) a few times, 2 adults, back seats down and loaded with gear to the gills, and didn't notice anything. Last time my comma 2 was driving. If anything, since electric doesn't run out of steam at high altitude, it felt like it was a bit of an advantage.

    Looking at the rockies, the grades seem similar, but the elevation is higher - Maximum Grades on Colorado Mountain Passes — Colorado Department of Transportation

    What are you seeing, you put it on DRCC and then it starts losing speed uphill?
     
  7. schja01

    schja01 One of very few in Chicagoland

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    I probably should have mentioned I was in Hybrid Mode when it feels underpowered (high engine RPM) when going uphill.
     
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  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    If you like the Prime in the flatlands, you'll be head over heels in love with it in the Rockies. It's FANTASTIC!!! That big battery just soaks up the energy on the long downgrades and then you get to use it again going up.
     
  9. Northerner

    Northerner Active Member

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    Hadn’t thought about that aspect. This convinced me to stick with the Prime for the trip.
     
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  10. sam spade 2

    sam spade 2 Senior Member

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    IF.....your wife voted for the other option......this might be a BIG mistake. :eek:

    How many times can you stand to hear "I TOLD you we should have taken the other car."
    :ROFLMAO:

    (Yes, been there and done that.)
     
  11. Mark McIntyre

    Mark McIntyre Member

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    I recommend that you bring the Prius Prime. Use the charge mode on descents, steep and shallow, drive in HV mode in the flats, and save the EV mode for climbing hills and passes. Using this technique, I was able to get ~66 mpg on a long mountain road trip. The 66 mpg does not include any grid charging as we did not even bring our charging cord. Here is the link to my trip report.
    Mountain Driving Trip Report 66.8 mpg | PriusChat
     
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  12. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    I got anywhere from 57-75 MPG while driving in the NM and CO mountains. There are some Prime owners here who live in CO. I'd tag them if I could remember which ones they are.
     
  13. Mark57

    Mark57 2021 Tesla Model 3 LR AWD

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    I also recommend the Prime.

    Not trying to sway your trip, but we usually make multiple trips to the Ouray area every year except this year. One caution, make sure to make direct contact ahead of time with the places you're going to stay, etc. Some businesses are gone due to COVID-19 lack of business even though they're still on Google Maps, websites, etc. Some of the resort areas have been hit harder than others. We we're considering going to Ouray this month until I started researching food options, etc. Virtually every place to eat in town is carryout only. Several of the restaurants are gone. Telluride was a bit different, so really dig in and research the places you're going so you won't be surprised by unexpected changes. Estes Park may have it's own set of rules, etc. Just don't "assume" and show up and be disappointed. Research and talk to a real person.

    Depending on when you are there, if the Aspens are turning, County Road 12 between Crested Butte and Somerset is an easy (gravel) and gorgeous drive. It has one of the longest continuous Aspen groves I've ever found. Also the drive from Silverton to Durango has a ton of Aspens along the way. You can call one of the 4x4 rental companies and ask if the trees are turning before you.

    Have a blast, enjoy!
     
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  14. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    I can't believe that either car would be a bad choice for the trip you're describing.

    But honestly, if a few gallons of fuel made it that much better of an experience for my better half on a shared trip? That's an easy choice, especially if this is meant as a vacation.
     
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  15. mistermojorizin

    mistermojorizin Active Member

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    Yea the ice gets loud quick, but it's mostly because of how cvt works and probably less sound deadening for weight savings. It maxes at 5200rpm though, which is pretty low for most cars, and what you're hearing is probably 4000rpm at most. I've seen this as a negative in reviews before buying so I expected it.
     
  16. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    I was going to say the same thing. After doing the long road trip of over 300 miles mostly on interstate, my DW now refuses to take PRIME over our Pathfinder. For me either are fine, and if I am alone, I will definitely take PRIME to extend the range and save some gas along the way. But comfort level in a mid-size SUV is hard to deny for a long drive. Yeah, it cost twice as much gas to move the Pathfinder Hybrid, but happy wife in the passenger seat, priceless.;)
     
    #16 Salamander_King, Aug 6, 2020
    Last edited: Aug 6, 2020
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  17. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    One reason to consider the CRV is if you are going to check out any hiking trails. Some great hiking trail heads are on rough dirt roads that the CRV would handle better. Otherwise, I'd go with the Prime. We drove to the top of Pikes Peak recently with our Rav4 hybrid and had no problem. I'm convinced our Prius would have been good as well.
     
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  18. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    My Prime sure did enjoy Trail Ridge Road. :D
     
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  19. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Prii (at least Gen3 and later) do just fine going up Pikes Peak, numerous members here have done so. Mine went only as far as Devil's Playground, as the road above was closed by snow that day. So we had to walk up the final distance instead.

    My Liftback had some issue on the way down, with traffic being too slow to spin up the ICE enough to get much B-mode compression braking after the battery filled up. (The leaders were downshifted just fine for their own cars, it just wasn't a happy speed for my Prius.) I was riding the brake more than desirable, so took several brake cooling stops. This is where a Prime should be perfect, its battery should not get filled all the way up to get into this problem.
     
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  20. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It might fill a Prime. I almost filled mine coming down from Grand Mesa. Haven't had a chance for Pikes Peak yet, but hope we can do that next time we're in CO. I'll be sure to deplete the battery before I get to the top.
     
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