Idea for a Sporty GTI competitor for 6th Gen

Sorry, wrong video pasted for some reason, this is the MK-8 review alongside the GR Corolla and STI:

 

I suppose I should put up the updated MK-8.5 as well, and show just how badly the automatic version of the GR Corolla gets absolutely CURB STOMPED by the automatic (DSG) version of the new Golf-R:

Also, the MK-8 Golf-R is so good in general that even though he has the money to buy things like Porches and owns a BMW M2, he bought a 2024 Golf-R, just before the update lol:

 

What? theres no way that they are selling that poorly. I actually went and test drove a Golf-R before I purchased my Prius. The Golf-R was just out of my price range. Anyways, the Golf-R was in such high demand, every dealership in Utah was actually struggling to keep even a single example on the showroom floor. I am absolutely not joking you that when I went to test-drive this Golf-R, I had to literally wait weeks because every single one coming into every single showroom had already sold before the car even got there. So I had to wait for one in the least desirable color scheme (White with silver wheels) with none of the options I wanted before I could even get behind the wheel of one. I had to call all 7 Volkswagen dealerships in the state of Utah several times each over 3-4 weeks until I could even locate one that wasn't already sold and was actually available for a test drive.

So in that one month in the state of Utah alone, more than 50 Golf-Rs were sold, and the Golf-R doesn't sell anything like as well as the GTI because once you fit the Golf-R with the optional Euro Style pack that lightens the car and gives you titanium exhaust, and the black appearance package that gives you the black wheels and badges - its a $55,000 car, BEFORE taxes, registration, ECT. I was quoted about 60 grand to walk away with the one I really wanted.

 

Thats just insane, and very disheartening. Im really sick of the beige landscape of Black, White, or Silver SUVs. I wish people would stop buying them. Most people who own an SUV aren't even smart enough to realize that a hatchback would suit them better and save them money.

Then again, I guess I can't be too suprised. Lets face facts - the United States is mostly comprised of idiots who have no idea what they are doing. But hey, at least people in my area have taste. Like I said, I literally cannot drive a single day, even just to work without seeing a GTI or Golf-R on the road. There are a ton of them around here.

If companies want to be stupid then I guess they can be stupid. But I for one refuse to join the SUV craze and I will NEVER own one, not unless there is one day literally no other option on the used or new market. Enough said

 

Thats the thing though, there IS a market for sporty, fast cars that are also fuel efficient. As I said, the 2026 Prelude was the most hyped car in Honda's entire lineup. The Hype even surpassed the Type-R because Type-Rs are expensive and destroy fuel and people just wanted a fun sporty daily that is reasonably priced and gets pretty good fuel economy. Again, its just that Honda executed the idea so poorly. If they wouldn't have screwed up so badly, the Prelude would be one of the best-selling models they make, provided of course that they built enough of them to actually sell to people. Obviously between the price and poor performance that actually resulted, Honda made the smart move and decided to make the Prelude a low-volume production car. So they knew even before it was released that it would be a total failure despite all the hype because they were fully aware that it didn't perform well enough and costed far too much.

I guarantee you a sporty Gen 6 prius would sell like hotcakes, because anyone who wanted a GTI or GR86 or Civic Si or any other entry-level sports car that offers a thrilling drive for not too much money with good gas mileage, would all then migrate to a sporty Prius that offers the same performance as those cars, but offers even better fuel economy and costs less to insure as well.

Ya sure, a few of the most hardcore, most dedicated enthusiasts would be unwilling to part with their manual transmissions for a CVT system. But the majority of those drivers would be willing to sacrifice the Manual in exchange for the lower owning and operating costs. This is especially true right now, with the country in a cost of living crysis, a housing crysis, and a job market crysis.

Besides, its not like Toyota wouldn't still offer the standard version Prius at a lower price and with even better fuel economy for the real penny-pinchers. It would just be another Trim/Sub-Model of the Prius. You can either buy the base $30,000 (LE FWD Trim) one that has 195 BHP and averages about 60 MPG, or you can buy the slightly lower, slightly stiffened one with wider tires and lets say 240 BHP that does about 50 MPG average for around $35,000-$36,000 (Also LE FWD base Trim).

So all Toyota has to do is modify an existing model, they don't even have to build a new one. Although the modifications to the Hybrid system to obtain the extra power would admittedly be pretty extensive Im sure.

As a matter of fact - screw it, Ill do it. If any aftermarket power modifications come along for the 5th Gen Prius (unfortunately it probably won't ever happen), I will happily modify my Prius up to 240 BHP, lower and stiffen the suspension, and give it wider tires. I will absolutely put my money where my mouth is, if it ever becomes possible. Either that or if Toyota does offer a sporty 6th Gen, Ill immediately go and trade in this 5th Gen for it. End of story.

The reason GTIs aren't selling well MUST be for these two reasons: 1.) Everyone in the USA just doesn't have any taste and wants SUVs, and 2.) GTIs are slightly expensive. They aren't bad no, but they certainly aren't the cheapest cars. VW has always offered a premium, luxurious feeling interior on the modern GTI generations, jam-packed full of technology. All of this tech does add cost to the car, and as a result even the base trim GTI S starts at $35,000 and a fully loaded Autobahn trim is $43,000.

To be honest, most of this is just down to everyone buying SUVs because the American people simply don't have taste anymore.