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PriusChat's 2016 Toyota Prius First Drive Video Review

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Danny, Nov 18, 2015.

  1. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    The PriusChat First Drive Video Review is up. Bottom line? Toyota has not only made the best hybrid in the world a better MPG king; they've also built a fun to drive, great handling car that any owner would be proud of.

    I'll have my written review later this week. I look forward to you watching the PriusChat video review and providing your feedback. Let me know if there are any questions that it brought up that I can answer.

     
    #1 Danny, Nov 18, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2015
  2. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Great video! Nice subtitles ;). Aside from the stretch on I-5 where I could hear the tires on the concrete slabs and that hot rod motorcycle, the rest of the video had very little wind and road noise.
     
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  3. Navigare

    Navigare Active Member

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    Great work, Danny. Thanks.
     
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  4. cycledrum

    cycledrum PSOCSOASP

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    Yay! Right on time as promised :) Great review! You give a lot of details we're not going to see anywhere else. :)

    Thank you for confirming the arrival month. It's coming in January peoples, not March or May. Told ya. Hehe. :p
     
    #4 cycledrum, Nov 18, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 18, 2015
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  5. Navigare

    Navigare Active Member

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    And.... There will be a plugin...
     
  6. spwolf

    spwolf Senior Member

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    great video, thanks a lot
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    fabulous job danny, thanks! i think you're ready for the big time.(y)
     
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  8. DianneWhitmire

    DianneWhitmire High PRIUStess

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    Yes. We'll get a plug in for 2017.
     
  9. Sabby

    Sabby Active Member

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    Nice job. The video gives a great overview of the improvements compared with the previous generation. Thanks for allowing us to enjoy the ride with you.
     
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  10. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    That was exactly my goal: analyze the changes and improvements that Prius enthusiasts would identify and appreciate. I would also encourage everyone to take some time to watch my 3-part Prius Walkthrough with Dave Lee, Toyota's Prius Product Educator. Dave has so much information about the Prius it's mind-boggling.

    Video: 3 Part 2016 Toyota Prius Walkthrough with Toyota's Prius Product Educator | PriusChat



     
  11. jspainhonaker

    jspainhonaker New Member

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    Great job Danny. I really like the new design, but I agree that trim level and packages are confusing!
     
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  12. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    What a perfect first post! (y)
     
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  13. jspainhonaker

    jspainhonaker New Member

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    I've lurked for about a year. I'm getting ready to purchase a new Prius so I decided it was time to get active.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can't get a better start than sucking up to the big kahuna.;)
     
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  15. royrose

    royrose Senior Member

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    Did you ask about AWD? Consumers Reports says that it is "still being considered" for the U.S. market.
     
  16. Danny

    Danny Admin/Founder
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    I asked. Was told it was a weight/cost issue.

    I'm not sold on the idea of an AWD Prius being anything more than a boutique-y low volume model for Toyota in the US. AWD buyers here are different than in Japan. Trucks are much more prevalent here, etc. Look at Canada. I don't believe they are getting the AWD Prius, either, for likely the same reasons.

    If Toyota was building the Prius in the US and they weren't dealing with transportation costs and Yen costs? Then I could see them offering it for the hell of it. Instead, I think the very capable RAV4h will fit that niche quite well.
     
  17. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Full or partial release?
     
  18. David Beale

    David Beale Senior Member

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    I'll jump in here re AWD.
    I own both Pearl S and "Bruiser", an FJ Cruiser.
    Pearl S only has 24,000 km on the odo so the OEM tyres (summer) are still there. The FJ has "traction tyres", very large, very heavy, very expensive, and winter rated.

    Believe it or not, Pearl S is the preferred vehicle on ice! I -think- it's because of the weight difference. The Prius is 3000 lbs, but the FJ is 5000 lbs! Once moving look out! It's hard to stop or change direction. AWD only helps getting you moving, though it is also good at reducing wheel slip at speed (the torque is shared on four tyre patches instead of just two) and because you get wheel torque at both ends "end swap" is slowed or almost eliminated. But with FWD that is less of an issue.

    Now, the -reason- I bought the FJ, at least the one I'll admit to, is ground clearance. Many of our city streets are not plowed very often or very well here. The Prius can be stopped by "high centering" on ice and snow. In fact, last winter I watched a brand new Hyundai dragging its undertray, pealed loose by ice. In the interests of -full- disclosure however, I owned a Landcruiser FJ40 many years ago, and the -main- reason I wanted an FJ Cruiser was sentimental (the FJ Cruiser design was meant to evoke memories of that FJ40) . The heavy snow that year was the excuse I needed to spend the money. ;)

    So, do I really feel I need AWD. No. But I think Toyota will find perception is stronger, and sales where there is real winter might benefit if it were available.
    Maybe they will see the light after a year of sales. A "special winter car" issue wouldn't harm fuel economy of the other models, and those who want AWD ARE willing to pay for it!
     
  19. GasperG

    GasperG Senior Member

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    What tires do yo have on FJ Cruiser and what on Prius?
     
  20. Mavi

    Mavi Active Member

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    Awesome video, went into amazing detail on every little feature. Just curious on the height of the rear area. It seems like the back hatch has dropped and the curve drops lower. Does this take away from cargo max height compared to gen 2 or 3? Like for putting big square objects for instance.
     
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