Test Drive Tomorrow

the biggest difference will be the eerie quietness that the prius is capable of, especially at low speeds. i think another thing you will notice is that "its just like driving an ordinary car". the geewhiz gizmos will be a treat for you as well. its a great way to go and has tremendous room inside. remember, this is a midsize car not a compact. youll love it.

 

Acceleration in the Prius is misleading. Since there are no gears, your brain (and butt) get the impression of slowness from nothing ever shifting. In reality, you're going pretty fast and that smooooothness becomes quite a draw after awhile... but certainly not at first.

Also, notice how the difference between engine idling of the Prius and the Corolla. It's quite significant... but rarely ever mentioned comparison reviews. Again, Prius is way smooother.
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I agree with the othes. The quietness and the smooth feel of the Continuous Variable Transmission (CVT) in the Prius will be most noticeable (both HUGE positives). Once you get used to a CVT, cars with normal transmissions feel sluggish and antiquated.

I have an RX400h and drove a non-hybrid RX350 recently and the 350 felt and sounded like a tractor by comparison!

 

For my test drive, the salesman warned me about the shudder when the ICE shuts off at stop lights - he has a Prius, and he said his wife hates to drive it because she's always worried that it won't start up again. But Evan is right, after getting used to the Prius and then having to drive a non-hybrid rental (evil evil PT Cruiser) for a few days I was angry that the PT Cruiser was so primitive that it burned gas while I was stopped.

Generally for me the car drives like any other car. The big difference at first was the controls - pressing a button to start and stop the car, different shift lever, stuff like that. But that was easy to get used to.

 

The most striking difference you will see on the Prius is the excellent mpg you are going to get now that $4.00/gallon of gas is not too far away. Also, the long term ownership cost will be much less than other Toyota cars will be much less. Include all the gadgets you can get on a Prius + the excellent aerodynamic body design, you can't beat this car right now.

Have fun test driving and let us know what you end up getting.

Regards.

 

If you have ever driven a manual transmission car the Prius will sound and feel as though the clutch is slipping (it isn't, of course, as there is no clutch).

The shift lever immediately pops back to its "null" position. It does not stay in the gear indication position; you must look at the dash to be certain which gear you are in.

The parking brake is a foot pedal, not a hand lever. I had not seen one in some time.

 

I just picked mine up last night, the following is what I have noticed during my 50 mile commute.
1. Acceleration was the first thing I noticed. In my other car I can merge in and out in the Prius I have to be a more conservitive driver (Which should transalate into more MPG)

2. Turning the car on is odd since the ICE doesnt start.

3. I was parked this morning and the ICE suddenly came on I was surprised since I was expecting it.

The bigest thing I noticed was MPG Display. My other car was averaging 22 MPG I am doing much better with the Prius.

 

My 1995 Taurus SHO has a foot pedal parking brake...I'm lucky I guess 'cause I am used to it. One thing that I miss is ... while the parking brake is engaged and the operator puts the car in 'Drive' the parking brake should release automatically. (My '95 SHO did this)

 

No problems with acceleration here. I am no more or less conservative now than I was driving my pre-Prius car. I guess it depends on what you used to drive...

 

Correct.. the Prius accelerates like any other 4 cylinder car I have driven. The change for me is getting used to how the Prius accelerates compared to my 3 series. (I am in no way comparing performance between the two). It just a matter of me be aware that I need more space and time to merge, pass in the Prius then in the 3 series.