Acceleration

Up here in Milwaukee there's no problem with acceleration. Of course, every time I hear a local traffic reporter talk about our "rush hour" I chuckle to myself. I don't think you'll really have your answer until you take a Pri for a test drive or, even better, rent one. I visit Chicago often, and know from experience that, sometimes in traffic, you've got to "drive it like a rental!"

 

No problem whatsoever. The whole point of the hybrid system is to give you the performance you expect from this class American automobile by combining a small internal combustion engine for good gas mileage and an electric motor (actually two) to provide the occasional power boost when you need it.

You could get approximately the same gas mileage with just a small (smaller) internal combustion engine and no hybrid system, but then you'd have the lousy acceleration you're worried about.

Others will complain about the oversimplified explanation above, so I'll add that the electric motors and battery energy storage also allow for using the internal combustion engine in more efficient ranges of power and RPM, as well as allow for the regeneration of energy when slowing down. Gas mileage is further improved by a low drag body and small, low rolling resistance wheels, but those are independent of the hybrid system.

 

technically, 0 to 60 is about 10secs. however, in traffic and merging, it fools you because there is 0 lag. poof its gone. no down shift no hesitation. so , its really pleasantly peppy. not like my vrod harley that does it in under 4 seconds but very good anyway.

 

Depends on how much metal you want to put on the pedal. Don't challenge me at a light if I've had a really bad day at work because I'll win (and then curse myself for screwing up my mpg).

 

I had a similar concern before I bought my car, so I pre-planned my test drive route to include several steep hills and an uphill highway merge. I was very satisfied then and have had no regrets since -- even on the dreaded parkways in the NYC area where you have to merge into 70 mph traffic with virtually no on-ramp.

 

Oh yes... no lag and I love it.

One thing I've noticed, if you want good response you need to push far enough on the pedal. A bit more then I was used to in my other cars.

But if you do ....Zooooooooom

 

Syco's post shows the first 2 seconds.

This one shows 6 seconds.

 

Ack... double post..

I'll take the opportunity to point out from the graph that Prius took 5 seconds to accelerate 30mph to 50mph (50km/h-80km/h) the same as 2.4l Camry while the 01 Prius too 6 seconds.

 

If I'm on the front line at the traffic lights it is very rare that I'm not the leading car after they change.

I don't rush to a red light though, as soon as I know I have to slow or stop I lift off, and I look a long way ahead.