Horsepower...Does the Prius have any get-up and go???

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kalicojunction @ Feb 20 2007, 09:01 PM) [snapback]393734[/snapback]</div>

I find it has plenty of power. I can accelerate to merge with no problem, have driven above 90 MPH on the freeway, and driven up into the mountains around Lake Tahoe with 4 people plus luggage in the car.

The best way to tell for yourself is to go take a test drive, preferably somewhere with a freeway and some hills nearby. That's what I did before buying.

 

I find the Prius has plenty of power. If you want more power, I would recommend getting a Corolla or Camry. I've driven our Prius pretty hard, I tend to be a leadfoot, and I've never been disappointed.

Dave

 

Last week I came to a stop at a railroad crossing with a red traffic signal. I saw in my RVM a fast moving car approaching and heard breaks screeching. Floored the accelerator, the car responded beautifully and literally jumped over the tracks.
The other car came to a stop where my front wheels used to be !!!

 

I had similar pre-buy concerns. However, in my 13-19 MPG Mazda RX-8 (owned 3 previous RX-7s, since '84), I would always get beat across intersections by wise-guy Prius drivers, since I would usually have to eggshell pedal it, just to keep mileage toward the pathetic upper range. Any enthusiastic driving in the Mazda would quickly knock several MPGs off a tankful. What really convinced me, however, was passing a Prius going up a long grade going from Las Vegas to Los Angeles. I slowed down from 85 to just below 75 and found the Prius was actually accelerating from there. There were even two people in the car! That was all I needed to dispel the lack of sufficient power myth. Now, as an owner since 9/06, I haven't touched the RX-8 for about 4 months, the Prius just being an overall more enjoyable car for daily commutes (can't beat > 2x MPG, plus constant 75MPH HOV lane heaven, saving almost an hour/day-250hr/year in commute time!). Now I'm the wise guy (though I wouldn't do this to a fellow RX-7/8 owner) who gets a kick out of beating hotrod EVOs, snooty BMWs, hybrid-envious SUVs and macho kingcab pickups across intersections and in freeway merges, knowing that I'm only dropping a tank average MPG down to 43 from 45 (big wow), by having my little bit of fun at the other guy's expense. So, the RX? Now reserved for track days, only, where it's happiest. (Btw, I checked out a used Prius with only 11K on it and found the cloth upholstery to be really chintzy and a dirt magnet. You won't be unhappy with the leather. Wouldn't do without the nav, either, which is about two gens better than in my '04 Mazda. I'd still make the purchase, even without the HOV stickers or tax credit, as this is a really finely engineered advanced technology and preeminently efficient vehicle - the perfect remedy for the modern commuting grind.)

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DaveLeePrius @ Feb 20 2007, 09:14 PM) [snapback]393744[/snapback]</div>

LOL! You joking? Corolla??? Maybe the current V6 Camry...

In all seriousness, the Prius has MORE than enough of power for 45 mph or below, as does virtually every car sold today. It can get up hills and won't "drag" getting on the highway, but it's definitely no hotrod. It can maintain 80+ mph w/o issue. In terms of acceleration times, it's comparable to other econobxes.

Acceleration, esp. if you floor it or even go 1/2 throttle at highway speeds is glacial compared to my (287 hp) 350Z or my former 02 Maxima (255 hp). The Maxima actually FELT FASTER than the Z even though it was 8 lbs heavier and its 32 hp deficit due to it having way less vibration and noise. (I've taken my Z and Maxima drag racing before. The Z was easily over 1/2 sec quicker in the 1/4 mile than the Max.)

I've had situations on the highway where I don't bother on the Prius because I know I don't have the power but where it wouldn't have been an issue w/my Z or former Max. In another case, I had to hit the brakes to avoid a collision because I couldn't out accelerate a guy (who apparently was gunning his car near at a freeway entrance/junction. The Z would've had more than enough power to overtake him.

It really depends on your standard. If you really want to be spoiled and have the Prius seem inadequate, drive a quiet car w/at least a 240 hp V6 or V8 and a curb weight of no more than ~3300-3500 lbs. Cars like current Altima V6s, Maximas or Lexus IS350s should fit the bill.

If econobox class cars are not suitable to the OP, then the Prius won't be either.

 

I would say the Prius has plenty of power for normal driving. Today while driving to a customer site I needed to accelerate briskly from 65mph to 85mph on the freeway to avoid getting stuck behind a truck and it did just fine. It can't do 0-60 in six seconds, or accelerate hard from 80mph to 100mph, but that's not typical driving, at least for me.

If you're used to driving a car with 250hp or more and using all of it all of the time, you'll be disappointed. But most people will find the power adequate.

 

Well the Prius is no HOT ROD but, if I recall the numbers.
1.5 Liters 76hp 110 Ftlb

67hp 293 Ftlb

0 to 60 in 10 sec.

However with the two different types of power plants the torque spikes fast but then levels off.

Best thing I can say is, find a dealer and take a test drive.

 

Hi Kalico...,

The Prius does not have the power specs, but it does not waste time shifting. A typical car wastes 1 to 2 seconds shifting to get up to 65 mph. This is how a car with a 106 hp system rating can accellerate to 60 mph in 10.5 seconds. Which is similar to the 2.4 liter Camry.

Not a problem for your location, but below about 30 degrees F, some of that accelleration goes away due to the battery power droping off with temp.

 

Kalicojunction, you might think initially that the Prius has a slight hesitation when you punch the gas. Unlike with a conventional transmission, you don't feel the slight jolt that pushes you back against the seat when you come off the line or downshift. Instead, the Prius CVT's "shifting" (such as it is, though it really doesn't shift in the normal sense) is a continuum and smoother. I call it "sneaky quick." Like others here, I agree that the Prius has all the power most folks need.

 

I find that I out-accelerate most things on the road when I put my foot down, which is frequently and often. (This is not to say that the other cars are trying to do the this at the same time.) My last car had a 2.5L engine. Although it has a higher top speed, I don't feel that there was much difference in low to mid range acceleration.

There is a small, insignificant lag between putting the foot down and getting the acceleration.

If power is your only concern don't even bother with a test drive. I suspect you will not be able to appreciate the acceleration because you will be too nervous about putting your foot down in someone else's car.

 

I want to emphasize a point already made here. The Prius doesn't feel like it is accelerating hard even when it is. People are sensitive to changes, so we notice changes in acceleration, such as neck-snapping jolts when a transmission shifts. The Prius doesn't shift, ever; it just goes faster without you really knowing it. I have to be careful not to speed, as it creeps up with no fuss. It also never spins its tires because of traction control, so it wouldn't be much fun for adolescent boys.

Another confusing thing for a new Prius driver is that the engine speed and car speed are not directly related. In an ordinary car, the engine speeds up as the car speeds up, until the transmission up-shifts. Not so in the Prius, which runs the engine at whatever speed generates the needed power most efficiently. Many new Prius drivers have posted here asking about slipping clutches and the like, which is impossible in a Prius. It's just the engine taching up when needed.

I find our Prius has plenty of power. It's not a muscle car, or a sports car, but it is very fun to drive. It handles well, and accelerates very well, especially at merging and passing speeds where you really need it. Torque from a dead start is unbelievable. I like it a lot.

Take one for a test drive, and don't be afraid to push it a bit. The engine will tach up, but it's supposed to do that.

Tom

 

I had a similar concern, which was alleviated by a test drive. It's best to test it where you think your concern may come into play. Mine were (among others), a right hand turn from an uphill position onto a 40 MPH road on the route I usually take to my office. The other was merging onto Routes 23 and 287, both fairly close to my office/home. I was pleasantly surprised at the car's ability to merge safely, with the impression of more power to spare if I needed it.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Feb 21 2007, 09:18 AM) [snapback]393874[/snapback]</div>

What he said.

The Prius doesn't feel all that fast. When you put your foot down hard the engine RPMs slide up and torque builds from the electric motors to supplement if necessary. What you get is more of a **whoosh** rather than a **snap** and speed picks up faster than your senses would have you believe. Of course, like others said, it's no rocket ship. You aren't going to get from 0-60 in six seconds. But I think that overall driveability is great. You get torque when you need it and efficiency the rest of the time.

Living in New England, my big obstacle is steep hills on both surface streets and highways. My tach (I decided to add one after seeing how Hobbit did it) shows in the range of 3,000RPM or a touch higher while climbing the steeper stuff at a steady 65mph, which means that the engine still has power to spare plus the electric assist. It doesn't do my mileage any favors but it doesn't complain about it, either. I guess that's the beauty of variable valve timing. B) Still happy after 3,000mi.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kalicojunction @ Feb 21 2007, 01:44 PM) [snapback]393969[/snapback]</div>

A recent Prius buyer on here is saying there is still a $1575 tax federal credit (credits are off the top of the tax owed, better than a deduction) for people that do not have the AMT (alternative minimum tax) in 2007. This depreciates down to $787 after March 31, and to $0 mid year (June 31) if this poster is correct.

I would check out the IRS website to be sure.

Some states, municipalities and employers have benefits too. Check out http://www.hybridcars.com/incentives-laws.html for details that might apply for your purchase.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(kalicojunction @ Feb 21 2007, 08:44 AM) [snapback]393969[/snapback]</div>

Regarding no more tax credit, that's not true. Someone else already addressed it. As for "DMV stickers", are you talking about the carpool lane stickers for CA? If so, you're too late. They're all gone.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(MPG > HP @ Feb 20 2007, 11:40 PM) [snapback]393801[/snapback]</div>

Hey that was probably me. Salsa Red 05. I have even made that trip towing a trailer with two superbikes.
Plenty of power, except sometimes the HV battery will drain before clearing the grade and you have to run on the ICE only which will limit your, no get all of this, fully loade (4 people), up-hill, AC on, top speed to about 65 MPH, and that is only for the last few miles of the grade.

 

The prius is adequate, and around town it has great pick up. It's one of those cars that feel slow but you look at the speedometer and your like woah! Accelerating on the highway definately leaves you with a smerk on your face though because its missing the punch and i always find myself lagging behind but once up to speed the car has good passing power! It's nothing extremely different than a v-4 conventional car...