1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Interstate driving

Discussion in 'Prius c Main Forum' started by Noobprius, Feb 9, 2017.

  1. Noobprius

    Noobprius Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 15, 2017
    43
    16
    0
    Location:
    US
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Model:
    II
    Hey guys! I have an 06 prius and I'm thinking of maybe upgrading to a used prius c. I like the car because, personally, I think it looks better than the normal prius, and I believe used ones run cheaper. My only problem is that I drive 80 -100 miles round trip everyday, and 40 miles of that is 70+ mph. I heard that interstate driving is an issue with this car. Any thoughts?

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    It is the same engine you have in your 2006, so it is no less able to do your commute. While it is less aerodynamic than the Liftback, it will certainly serve that purpose. MPG is not everything.
     
  3. Deogratias

    Deogratias Member

    Joined:
    Dec 17, 2016
    37
    42
    0
    Location:
    USA
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    Three
    Drive one and see how it suits you. I think everybody has their own opinion on this.
     
  4. News to me.
    70+ mph speed likely causes your engine to rev closer to 3000 rpm than 2000 rpm for the trip. It'll handle it. And you're still getting 40 mpg.
     
    Noobprius likes this.
  5. Got2bHam

    Got2bHam Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2016
    155
    51
    0
    Location:
    Missouri
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    IMG_0480.JPG This is from my last interstate trip, I drove 65-75 mph. Love the C
     
    Noobprius likes this.
  6. coyote303

    coyote303 Member

    Joined:
    Jun 24, 2013
    112
    64
    0
    Location:
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    If the majority of my driving was on the Interstate, I would go with a regular Prius. The C can handle freeway driving just fine; however, it won't be as efficient as a regular Prius.
     
  7. davidc83

    davidc83 Member

    Joined:
    Oct 14, 2015
    113
    50
    0
    Location:
    Scottsburg, Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius c
    Model:
    Five
    2015 C two, now with 34,000 miles, 80 mile round trip to work. 80% of miles on interstate - no issues.

    XT830C ?
     
    Pri3C likes this.
  8. AzraelA

    AzraelA Junior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2014
    14
    1
    0
    Location:
    Mars
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    At 70 MPH I find the MPG really drop, generally I find that unless it's time sensitive to be somewhere I drive 63 MPH and it gets me about 53 MPG in my '13 Prius C.
     
  9. Mark323

    Mark323 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Mar 21, 2014
    69
    15
    0
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    I've had no problems driving on interstate roads with my Prius C. Sounds like some alternative facts are being thrown around about the C's capabilities on the highway. I routinely get in the 40mpg + range on the highway doing well above 70mph X 40 miles a day, It's difficult to get less than 40mpg in this car. I recently bought some regular tires (not LRR) and they have improved the feel of the car on the highway. I think the LRR tires gave the C a bit of a wandering feel on the highway, & that sensation seems to be gone w/ the new tires. The OEM tires lasted 50K miles (prob because of all the high speed highway miles I put on them) I've taken this car all over the east coast on road trips. My wife and I visit at least one National Park every year. It's been Down to FL 3 times (only 3 fill ups to Florida from Maryland), Up to Cleveland Ohio, Out to Kentucky (Mammoth Cave), Down to N. Carolina (Great Smokey Mountains) and out to Ocean City, Maryland and to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel into Virginia Beach.
     
    Pri3C likes this.
  10. priusmatty

    priusmatty Active Member

    Joined:
    May 22, 2016
    304
    108
    0
    Location:
    Louisiana USA
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    I have driven a C for years in the interstate and highways with no issues whatsoever.
     
    Pri3C likes this.
  11. rjdriver

    rjdriver Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2012
    399
    166
    0
    Location:
    Rhode Island
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius c
    Model:
    Three
    Not sure about the 06, but I test drove a regular Prius and a C before buying my 2012 C. The regular Prius was quieter and smoother over bumps at highway speeds, but the C is just fine on the highway. At the time I had an 80 mile round trip commute (half highway/half city-back roads - similar to yours), so I was willing to sacrifice a few things for the higher MPG. And the lower price helped sway me as well.

    Your results might vary, but I have found that the in the C gas mileage begins to suffer a lot when you get over 70 mph. That seems to be the tipping point between over or under 50MPG for me. On the back roads section of my commute where speeds ranged from 30-45 mph, I was getting 70 MPG.

    The usual caution in buying a used Prius would be to try to find out the remaining life of the hybrid battery before buying. Odometer reading is a partial help, but if the seller is willing, you might want to look into doing a test with the Dr. Prius app.
    Hybrid battery diagnostic and repair tool for Toyota and Lexus
     
  12. Adventurer2112

    Adventurer2112 Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 31, 2019
    29
    16
    0
    Location:
    Urbana
    Vehicle:
    2014 Prius c
    Model:
    Four
    Hi All,
    Highway driving was my big concern. After 2,000 miles, I have no worries. Yes it is slow to merge, just have to plan.
    I am tickled pink with my 2014 Prius C
    Jack
     
    Pri3C likes this.