New Prius Owner - so far

I'm a new user and would like to share my experiences so far.

Just for perspective, moving from a 1.8 Avensis manual (Camry size for US users).
A Prius 2010. T-Spirit: Top UK Model. Dark Grey.

Below may not see positive, but I am concentrating on the negatives I feel or perceived before buying.

Some worries I had before buying it.

Lack of power: None. Hit the pwr button and the Prius certainly doesn't lack response, it is quite sprightly. Hit the ECO button and you need to push the accelerator more but the power is still there. No worries about unable to join traffic.
Size: Feels about the same size - a large family car.
Quality :Some reviews claim cheap poor build. The build certainly feels light. I do hear rattle/creaks. Bit I think its more obvious since the car feels like it belongs in the luxury car end. The car is light and plasticky (vs a heavy metal feel), and is quiet.


Perspective Cons:

Car feels more sluggish. The Avensis feels lighter and more responsive. However when I try to time it, the Prius is faster or the same.
Tailgating : Strangely seen this a bit more, but not sure if it is deliberate or simply that I am more concerned with constant speed or mpg than speeding up to get out the way.

Economy:

MPG :
Long distance 400miles : I get about 55MPG UK (46mpg US) on cruise control from London/Scotland at 75-78 Mph.
Short distances 3mile trips: I get about 55MPG UK (46mpg US). 10minute trip.

If I use more careful driving I can get upto 66MPG UK (55 US) on short/medium trips. e.g. try to keep the mpg monitor above 50.

If I try less careful driving I am around 50MPG UK (42 US) on short trips. Tried to emulate my old style, rapid, fast, heavier breaking, racing to beat lights and ignoring the displays.

A bit of a let down to me. I am sure the test car could do 55MPG uk when I was hammering it.

Driving

I feel the Prius makes me drive differently. With all the displays of fuel/power, I can't help try to keep the MPG above 50. I also find the speed being digital and in my face, I am more careful about speeding.

I find myself accelerating only half way, before trying to judge a smooth junction approach. I try to avoid braking hard. I can't quite tell if the car only feels slower or if I drive slower.

So far I've found if I use reasonable acceleration, high without top pwr zone, and then let off and put in the lower power zone, mileage is best.

The Prius certainly doesn't feel like some sluggish electric wannabe on the roads. It drives perfectly like a normal car.

Options

The TSpirit comes with reverse camera and I also took reverse sensors option. I thought it was a duplicating waste, but now I think they work well together. Sometimes the camera has water, dirt or even sunlight. The reverse sensors keep a handy check on that. The camera is a real plus.

SatNav

Comparing to a TOMTOM. I like the TOMTOM menu, ease of use. I love the Prius offering route choices. The satnav though does let me down, kept trying to take me off a toll motorway at each junction to rejoin the same motorway 8 junctions away. Wouldn't realise I'm on it now, so give it up. Also on other routes took me on the busiest routes through cities, instead of better routes. The TOMTOM certainly wins that one. I know all SATNAVs do stupid things, but the TOMTOM wins.
Traffic avoidance, I can never tell if the satnavs lie or tell the truth, unless you get stuck in one. The only downside is it leave traffic warnings a bit late.
Step Guidance the Prius one wins. Love the flashing turn signal, and the lane guidance.
Overall not too shabby. Growing on me.


Bluetooth

Not experienced a car one before. It works well. Only downside is doesn't work so well picking up passenger voice, which I suppose is how it is supposed to work

Worst thing.

Parking assist. Complete waste of time. Not sure where you are supposed to have so much time to get in position and park, you might as well park yourself slowly. Cant use on inclines. Really would have preferred that dynamic radar option that US cars get in place of Parking assist.

Overall

I think the Prius cheats, by making me change my driving style. I am disappointed in not getting 60MPG uk, as standard i.e. without more driving style changes. Gentle acceleration does not help mpg, and morning starting the engine starts automatically wasting economy. I know a lot of gadgets are becoming more common on cars, but I still love them.

But I actually like the car. Only had it for 3 weeks. Still worried when parking, too nice and shiny yet.

 

Thanks guys. I've been shadowing this forum for a while now. It helped partly remove some of the concerns I had before getting the car, and understand some of the behaviour since.

I also admit I realise i used to be quite a .... "spirited" ... driver. I'm sure the Prius has calmed me down.

I forgot the HUD, I am surprised its not on the NA models. It is there that the sat nav flashes the turn just as the turn arrives. I much prefer that to the 300yds, 100yds warnings (I just don't know when 100yds is!!)

I am a bit wow at the 85mpg UK over three hours. I can see part of my trips getting up towards (70mpg+ UK) sometimes but not for that long. ..... feel like going out now and trying to do better


Oh and talking about adicted instruments, yes, so much so I've missed a few speed cameras (which I've known about for a long time).