Thread repository for ALL non-PriusChat 2016 Prius reviews

Thanks,

I suspect the problem is the loop that heads East which is not shown in the paper version graphic. Look at the skid circle and to the right is a road that passes by the tennis courts and loops around. That is the road that I strongly suspect they drive like 'bad out of h*ll' to get the crappy MPG. It is not impossible to get crappy MPG by just testing the car in a cold-start but add the east loop and the problem is solved.

If (when) Consumer Reports decides to be as open-book about their testing as the EPA, they will provide a complete drive profile with distance, velocity, and altitude changes. It will also include their vehicle preparation protocol. In effect, they will tell us what we need to know to replicate their results. Anything less means 'something is wrong' and should not be trusted.

Bob Wilson

 

There is NO blinker in the mirrors!

 

Streamlined underbody!! I'm drooling shamelessly.....


iPhone 6s +

 

All-New Toyota Prius and Its Hybrid Legacy - Consumer Reports March 4, 2016

 

This is an example from this article of what really pisses me off and symptom of a long-standing problem with Consumer Reports:

That mass-market acceptance of the Prius—compared with people buying a typical midsized sedan—today represents 2.1 billion gallons of gasoline not consumed since 2000. And 11.7 million tons of CO2 haven’t been poured into the atmosphere.

Other automakers have tried to replicate that success with hybrid variants of existing models, such as the Ford Escape hybrid, or with dedicated Prius imitators, such as the underwhelming Honda Insight. Yet none have been able to get anywhere near the brake lights of the Prius when it comes to a mass-market embrace. Why? Perhaps because the Prius is a dedicated hybrid; there’s no regular gas version. Clearly, the public considers it the car for proclaiming one’s green commitment.​

Now it could be bad editing as the last sentence has at least some relationship with the previous paragraph. But it shows an over-paid author or editor who foolishly thinks gas is free. In their wastrel gas-spending minds, they invent "green commitment" to explain Prius owners. Then there is the irony that "there's no regular gas version" for the Prius that burns regular gas. Thus a well crafted paragraph can return the insult with a deft and deadly hand.

Bob Wilson

 

It is just crappy writing.

What is the first thing that you think of when someone says hybrid car? Prius. Even though I believe the Insight is also a hybrid-only model, it never gained as much traction as the Prius and although there are a bunch more hybrids on the market, it will always be the symbol for the hybrid. Much like Tesla will be the symbol for the electric car (until it dies or another manufacturer usurps it somehow).

 

Don't know was the idea to post only "official" reviews of Prius but here is my blogpost of the test drive I had. Very nice car indeed!

Thirsty Nerd: Prius 2016 review

 

Toyota Prius vs VW Golf GTE vs Ford Mondeo Hybrid | Auto Express

DriveSmart America - Wayne Gerdes - 2016 Prius Technical Presentation CleanMPG

 

The Wirecutter has rated the Prius 2 Eco as its pick for best hybrid. There are some puzzling comments about the car being smaller than previous versions which I questioned in the comments.

The Best Hybrid Car | The Wirecutter

 

He always talks well of the Prius on his weekly show. I called him on his show just before I bought my Prius and he was very encouraging.

 

Thanks:

I read the review(s) and found three hybrids more or less covered. I like his 'shopping bag' foot-print. Then I noticed comments dating back years.

He mentions being the former creator of "Autoblog.com". Would you have any background about what happened?

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

Car and Driver "Instrumented Test" : Toyota Prius Reviews - Toyota Prius Price, Photos, and Specs - Car and Driver

"2016 Toyota Prius Two Eco"
"YOU'D ONLY THINK IT'S PRETTY IF YOU WERE AN AIR MOLECULE"
MAR 2016 BY CSABA CSERE

Highs: Plenty of room for people and stuff, comfortable ride, great mileage.
Lows: Low performance, lots of highway road noise, no driving precision.
Verdict: A practical transportation device wearing a well-earned cloak of environmental virtue.
. . .
Zero to 60 mph: 9.4 sec​

It is actually a fair report without the snark I'm used to seeing.

Bob Wilson

 

2016 Toyota Prius earns Top Safety Plus honor from IIHS

 

Autoblog still had to put in their snark!

• 'a polarizing design' - para 1
  
• 'an upgrade over the previous-gen Prius' - para 2
• 'the last-gen Prius' active safety equipment' - para 3
• 'If you don't mind the design' - para 4, topic sentence
• 'maybe smashing it against a wall helps the styling' - para 5, final sentence

Reminds me of the early Consumer Reports write-ups on the Prius. The back-handed comments pretty well tells us that the author would choose what they consider to be a pretty but unsafe car over a Prius. . . . Wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius over looking good in something less safe.

The IIHS report is professional. Well I had to leave this comment:

The IIHS report is technical, professional with the facts and data. In contrast, the Autoblog snark suggests the author wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius (and IIHS shows you won't die) but would prefer to look good right up to the crash.​

Bob Wilson

 

Looked at it today while she was buying a 2013 Camry Hybrid XLE. Nice package, liked it better than Gen 3. Not polarizing in person. Nice comfy seats, neat interior layout.

 

BTW, some of the Toyota Certified leases are pretty darn good. Great when you're in between or waiting for a new gen. On average, some of these cars are losing $10K or more every 3 years.