New Prius review - Machine Design Magazine

Here's the article on the web:

http://www.machinedesign.com/ASP/viewSelec...en=CURRENTISSUE

 

********I do have a problem, as I've had with other reviews, about its claiming that the mileage estimates are highly exaggerated. Here's an excerpt...
***********

I think this and the battery points made are good ones. Clearly the allegation of battery cost claim without mentioning the significant warranty period or getting a direct quote from Toyota is poor journalism and misleading. I would encourage you to write a letter to the editor and suggest they stick to the facts and use opinions only when opinions are warranted.

 

Nice article, a lot better than the one my GF found in a Dutch magazine. The man who wrote the article was rather positive about the Prius, but he clearly hadn't read anything on the subject and only driven the car for a few hours (at most). He thought the CVT was a CVT like Honda (among other car manufacturers) uses: with some kind of belt. Also he stated that the car would probably not be able to pull a caravan. If he'd read the brochure Toyota (the Netherlands) provides he could have read that a caravan coupling (right word) isn't even an option.

Ah well, at least the article was positive

 

I sent a letter to the editor praising the article but questioning those two points (i.e. the battery concern and the poor mileage)

I'm at 60.8 mpg 52 miles into this tank... Previous record tank is about 51, so I'm psyched

 

Just what driving do you do to get your claimed mpg?
I'm getting just about what you quote from "Machine Design Review". Since I'm a new owner with just over 600 miles I'm not sure I'm on a trend, but I forsee not better than the current mpg that I'm getting now; that is around 42. I'm not necessarly a "stomper", I do maintain the freeway limits for surval sake. and I do accelerate on the entrance ramps to merge with traffic. In city traffic I coast to the traffic lights hoping they change so I can roll through. Basically I haven't changed my driving lifestyle.

Al

 

i've only got about 250 on my first tank (not a heavy driver), and the computer has been stuck at about 42-43 mpg. and a lot of that has been at upwards of 73 mph on interstates between home and the dealer. plus one floorboarded shot to get around a lady who didn't understand what "green" meant on a traffic signal. the little baby really scoots when you nail it....

from other postings here, we should see that go up after another 500-1000 miles of "break-in", plus warmer weather, that lets the engine control unit let the engine stay off more.

 

I'll assume this possibly is in response to me as well as the original poster.

I just drive "friendly". I coast when possible, feather a lot, try to brake without engaging the brakes (not that I can tell exactly, but I mean I brake gently). I don't run the heat/AC above the lowest fan setting. I accelerate strongly when I need to speed up. I have my tires at 40/38, though I can't prove that helps. The warm weather is key.. I was only getting about 46 mpg on the same route in winter when the car needed heating.

Driving on highways at 70-75 mph definitely drops the mpg below 50, but not below 40 for me. This current 61 mpg tank includes no significant highway driving yet.. I try to avoid that anyway, just because I'm sick of highways. My preferred commute route is on 35-45 mph roads, slightly hilly, with maybe a dozen traffic lights total.

Also, things definitely get better with more miles, both because the car gets broken in and because the driver gets broken in. I've had the car almost 6 months now, 7100 miles.