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Considering leaving TDi for Prius......

Discussion in 'Newbie Forum' started by Hip001, Mar 19, 2017.

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  1. Hip001

    Hip001 Junior Member

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    I looked at a Volt but did not hear anything about 60miles on a charge. I thought the salesman said like 30. I looked inside and out but did not drive it. I originally stopped to ask when the Bolt would be available here in Georgia. If in fact we could get 60miles on one charge (that would cover her commute most days) it would surely move up the list.
     
    #21 Hip001, Mar 19, 2017
  2. Hip001

    Hip001 Junior Member

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    I am attracted to the new volt looks. Even on the inside it was very nice. Maybe ill revisit this. For some reason i was thinking the Prius had more usable room for the dogs in the back with seats folded down. I need to take the wife to drive a 2017 Prius.
     
    #22 Hip001, Mar 19, 2017
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  3. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    The older ones could only get 30-40 miles per charge. The 2017 is rated for 53 miles. And can easily be done from what I have read!
     
    #23 Aaron Vitolins, Mar 19, 2017
  4. Aaron Vitolins

    Aaron Vitolins Senior Member

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    Yes the Prius is noticeably more spacious for passengers (dogs)
     
    #24 Aaron Vitolins, Mar 19, 2017
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  5. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    EPA mileage city/highway/combined
    Prius v 43/39/41
    Prius 54/50/52
    Prius Eco 58/53/56

    The 2017 Prius Two Eco has safety options but no spare tire. There are no luxury options in this car. The Prius & Prius Two Eco are the same size, just different packaging (no rear wiper, no spare, higher tire pressure) to get a better mileage rating.
     
    #25 Prodigyplace, Mar 19, 2017
  6. Hip001

    Hip001 Junior Member

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    Lol just realized ive lurked here for 1year and never posted till today. Lol
     
    #26 Hip001, Mar 19, 2017
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  7. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #27 JimboPalmer, Mar 19, 2017
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  8. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    So did I. Welcome to the club.
     
    #28 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2017
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  9. Hip001

    Hip001 Junior Member

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    #29 Hip001, Mar 20, 2017
  10. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Your comment did not show up for us.
     
    #30 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2017
  11. RCO

    RCO Senior Member

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    Not so familiar with your greenbacks, but first glance at the contents of your trunk and i thought you'd robbed a bank! :ROFLMAO:
     
    #31 RCO, Mar 20, 2017
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  12. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #32 JimboPalmer, Mar 20, 2017
    Last edited: Mar 20, 2017
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Only 90 of 96 reached the destination, huh? :D
     
    #33 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2017
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  14. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    #34 Robert2P1CT, Mar 20, 2017
  15. Robert2P1CT

    Robert2P1CT Junior Member

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    Welcome Mark, I am new here too.

    VW TDI is a great highway vehicle with good cornering skills; however, nothing beats a Prius for reliability over past 20 years, and it's the lowest cost-to-own vehicle.

    Toyota is on average much cheaper for service and parts VS all German brands. Likewise, the Prius needs very little maintainenance -- unlike others who want everything done every 15k-30k miles. Talk to any senior Toyota ASE tech and they will all tell you that the Prius is the cheapest to own and least likely to break down. You will most likely get 150-200k on the original brakes.

    My personal recommendation is for a CPO Prius 2011-2015 with mostly highway miles; however, I would prefer a 2016 (package 3T or higher) or a 2017 Prius (all models) since you will get the TSS features standard. If you can afford new, get one so you will never worry about its history or former owner's driving habits. If used, you must get a CPO.

    Honorable mentions:

    2013-2017 CT 200h (but more cramped for passengers and dogs) and almost impossible to find TSS (collision avoidance) technology. Dealership experience is much better than Toyota, much more professional, and most give free carwashes for life, but 40% higher maintenance costs.

    Prius V if cargo space (most cu ft) is most important. Keep in mind the V has lower mpg (average 40-45 mpg). For you, you might be better off with a Prius V. Reliability, low cost-to-own, and large cargo space boxes are all checked with the V. You can also get a great deal on a new one since they don't seem as popular as the regular Prius lift-backs.

    BTW: You might want to wait for the 2018 Prius V since it will be completely redesigned and have higher mpg. I wouldn't worry too much about first year reliability since it has the same Prius drivetrain and all Priuses are top in reliability.

    :)
     
    #35 Robert2P1CT, Mar 20, 2017
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  16. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    Are you sure about that? People are also guessing the Prius v might be discontinued in the US. As far as I can tell, nobody knows for sure.
     
    #36 Prodigyplace, Mar 20, 2017
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  17. bowhuntred

    bowhuntred Junior Member

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    We have a 11 prius that my wife uses for her business and I have an 06 jetta tdi. Both are great cars. Both get comparable milage combined with the prius winning the maintenance war. If I was inclined to get rid of my tdi I would buy another prius.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
    #37 bowhuntred, Mar 21, 2017
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  18. bowhuntred

    bowhuntred Junior Member

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    #38 bowhuntred, Mar 21, 2017
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  19. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Welcome! The nice thing about looking for a hybrid or EV now is that there are a lot of choices.

    With regards to the Prius, you have 4 options but if you want one with more luxury features, you're down to three of the four Prius models.

    Prius Liftback (that's the original) and the Prius v (that's the wagon-ish style... think Mazda5 or the 1st Gen Honda Odyssey).

    The Prius Liftback was redesigned for the 2016 model year (so it's in its 2nd year right now). It's very different from previous generations of the Prius. If you've driven older ones before (either a test drive or a rental car), it's completely different. If you've never driven a Prius before, then the new one is going to drive like a regular car. It corners flatter, rides more comfortably and is quieter than before. For cargo considerations, note that are two sizes depending on whether you purchase a Prius with or without a spare tire option. Those models without a spare tire will have a larger trunk (deeper). You will get fantastic mileage, especially at 50 mph. It'll also come with all the latest gadgets if you spring for the higher trim levels (such as Intelligent Clearance Sonar, HUD, RCTA/BSM). Full-speed dynamic radar cruise control is standard on all Prius models. This means the radar cruise control works down to 0km/h and will bring the car to a stop if the car in front of you comes to a stop. Note that leather is not available in any Prius models - instead, you get "SofTex" synthetic leather that's low on VOC and lighter than real leather.

    The Prius v was launched as a 2012 model year vehicle and was updated in 2015. You sit a touch higher (but still car-like) and has a large cargo area. The rear seats can slide/recline for passenger comfort and flexible cargo arrangements. You can expect around 40mpg for mileage. The tradeoff is the longer wheelbase (more comfortable ride) and the cargo carrying capabilities.

    The 3rd option is the Prius Prime. Launched last November as a 2017 model, it gets 25 miles AER along with 54mpg combined. With federal tax credits, the price difference between the Prime and regular Prius is very small (with CA rebates, it's actually cheaper if you buy the base model Prime). All the luxury items are there except moonroof. You do get an available heated steering wheel and an 11.6" HD display on higher trim levels. You sacrifice cargo space (there's a 3" rise in the floor compared to the bumper height) and it's a 4-seater. But if you fold the seats down, you still get the hatchback flexibility with a large, open area. The Prime also comes with full LED exterior lights except for the reverse lights. (low beam, high beam, front/rear marker lights, taillights, brakelights, indicators, foglights, clearance lights and licence plate lights are all LEDs). If she can only charge at home, that's 35% of the commute that's done on electricity. If she can charge both at home and at work, that's over 70% of the route done on electricity assuming you get 25 miles. (Some have gotten more than that, now that the temperatures are starting to rise and we head towards spring).

    Outside of the Prius family, you have:

    RAV4 Hybrid: This was launched as a 2016 model year along with the refreshed/midlife update for the regular RAV4s. AWD-i is standard equipment and mpg isn't too bad considering you're not sacrificing much over the regular RAV4. It's more powerful and quicker than the regular gasoline RAV4s. All you "lose" is a small bump just behind the rear seats in the cargo area for the battery (less than 1" IIRC). No leather (SofTex material) but everything else is there (heated seats, nav, moonroof). In addition, there is an available heated steering wheel.

    There's also the 2nd Gen Volt with 53 miles AER which will cover around 75% of her commute on EV. It's torquier and quicker in EV mode than in hybrid mode. She'll feel more at home in EV mode because it will feel more like a diesel in terms of peppiness. Again, the hatchback allows for cargo flexibility and the seats do fold. The cargo area on its own is arguably more usable than the Prime as it's deeper. (The Prime has the square-footage but loses on depth or height).

    The Bolt EV is just launched and I heard some dealers in some states are offering big discounts. AER is 238 miles I think? It's quiet, really roomy, has a high seating position and if you fold the rear seats down, a decent cargo area for dogs. The short dimensions make it super easy to park too.
     
    #39 Tideland Prius, Mar 21, 2017
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  20. bhtooefr

    bhtooefr Senior Member

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    As a TDI refugee myself (although I had a base model 99.5 Golf, and went to a 2016 Prius Three), here's what I'd suggest of the Prius line:

    2016-2017 Prius Four with Advanced Technology Package (has all of the equipment you're looking for)
    2016-2017 Prius Four Touring (has everything except the sunroof, but you also get slightly stiffer shocks and 17" wheels)
    2011-2017 Lexus CT 200h (can be had with all of the equipment you're looking for, less efficient than the others, smaller)

    If she's used to a 2006 Jetta, I don't know that she'll be happy with a Gen 3 (2010-2015) Prius or a Prius v. Given the dog hauling duty, I also don't recommend the Prius Prime, but it might be worth taking a look at anyway - the cargo configuration is seriously compromised by the battery location, but if your dogs fit anyway...

    I rather strongly disliked the 2017 Volt that I test drove, between suspension calibration being far, far too soft, the extremely poor outward visibility endemic to almost everything GM's making nowadays, and the cabin ergonomics just not feeling right. Also, the interior is rather cramped, with an unusable back seat - that didn't bother me much, my other car's a Miata, but it would rule the car out for a lot of people. Cargo room's decent, though, at least.

    Regarding the Bolt, make sure that the seats are comfortable for her on a longer test drive on the exact car you're planning to buy - apparently seat quality is fairly variable, and some of the seats don't have stiff enough padding. If that's the case, the plastic frame of the seat will dig in, and it'll be very uncomfortable.

    You might look at the Ford C-Max Hybrid, too. The Energi has bad battery packaging (maybe worse even than the Prime), so it's harder to recommend for your situation. It'll be a fair bit faster than the Priuses, at 188-195 system horsepower, but it's taller, reducing efficiency.

    If you're a glutton for punishment (if you own four Mercedes diesels and five TDIs, yeah, you might be) and don't care about getting crap mileage when the gas engine fires, she might like the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron - it's basically a plug-in hybrid Golf. You're looking at about 35 mpg on premium when the (1.4 turbo) engine's running, and about 16 miles all electric range, though. (Compare to 25 miles all electric range on the Prius Prime with the same size battery...) Battery packaging is far better than the Prime, though, with basically as much cargo room as a standard Mk7 Golf. It's also quite a bit faster, at 204 system horsepower instead of the 121 system horsepower of the Gen 4 and Prime. If your wife doesn't like the CVT behavior of the Prius, C-Max, or Volt (although the Volt will behave slightly differently), the A3 has a 6-speed DSG (actually, if your Jetta has one, it's the same transmission family).

    There's also looking at the Ioniq line, but I've got no familiarity with them. 6-speed DCT there, too. 130ish system horsepower, but their DCT actually makes them slower than the Priuses. Note that the hybrid system ends up only having 60 or so hp in electric mode on the upcoming plug-in hybrid version, whereas the other PHEVs have significantly more (at least 90ish for the Prime and C-Max Energi, 102 on the A3, and full (150) on the Volt).
     
    #40 bhtooefr, Mar 22, 2017
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