What's Everyone's Honest Opinion On the Toyota Prius?

"DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish!" (daft-ryosuke) 01/20/2018 at 15:13 • Filed to: None

0

53

I’m doing some research in the field on the car community’s reaction to what some consider to be the common enemy of us all: the Toyota Prius. This will come into play on a little thing I’m writing up. So, give me some opinions, stories, whatever you have that involve America’s best-selling hybrid.

The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:22

4

It’s an honest car with making its intent clear. To get from A-B in comfort while getting good fuel economy, it’s not pretending too to be something else.

Spanfeller is a twat > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:22

0

Necessary evil. all I have to say

dsigned001 - O.R.C. hunter > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:22

4

I really like them as people movers. They’re quiet, they get great gas mileage, they have a lift back and they’re pretty much bulletproof. They’ve got some pretty nerdy tech. And to put the icing on the cake, they’re pretty cheap used.

As adrenaline mobiles, they’re not going to replace your Viagra.

for Michigan > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:22

2

I’ve never been in one, either as driver or passenger, so I can’t speak to the actual experience of using one as transportation, but just the basic concept is not offensive to me and I don’t understand the animosity most enthusiasts have toward them.

In fact, I would consider a second or third gen as a daily (though not without checking out a C-Max or Ioniq first) and I kind of like the way they look. The fourth gen is out on aesthetics alone though whether or not they’ve improve the ride and handling from the previous cars.

farscythe - makin da cawfee! > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:24

0

eh... its a car

one of my inlaws had one (as he works for toyota)... its a lot nicer on the inside than i expected

(course i am mostly comparing it to all the 30 year old crapcans ive driven)

TheJWT > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:24

6

I like the way they look

Sue me

jimz > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:25

0

Does what it says on the tin , but is an incredibly boring drive. it’s about as engaging to drive as a forklift; since it’s meant for maximum economy it doesn’t deliver that “OMG torque” electric feel.

jasmits > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:26

0

I don’t understand the animosity. I also understand why many people like them.

For an enthusiast you don’t have to give up much to have a much more fun vehicle, think an ST or GTI

Racin'Jason001 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:28

0

This is the main reason why Toyota should fire it’s design team. I get that they are trying to be more sporty and rugged, but this is just not the way to do it. Otherwise, it’s a very efficient vehicle. 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:28

0

I’ve been in a few, taxis use them. I dunno, they are fine

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > TheJWT 01/20/2018 at 15:29

2

You’ll be hearing from my solicitor

bob and john > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:31

3

okay car thats reasonably good at doing what its designed to do.

that was then owned by the most INSUFFERABLE bunch of assholes you can imagen

SmugAardvark > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:33

1

I’ve driven two of them over the years. They aren’t fun cars. They are fairly bland, boring, and uninspiring to me.

But with that said, if people like them and want to own them, it doesn’t bother me at all. Leaves the more fun cars for the rest of us.

BlueMazda2 - Blesses the rains down in Africa, Purveyor of BMW Individual Arctic Metallic, Merci Twingo > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:33

0

I like Prii, but I can’t say the same about the majority of their owners.

That aside, I wouldn’t mind a Prius C.

DipodomysDeserti > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:34

0

I’ve never driven one, but I like that they let you drive for very little cost. I kind of want to lift one up and make it into a camping car. I’d need a bit of clearance to get to some of my spots. I think the new ones look pretty awesome.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:35

1

Never been in one but heard they get good gas and are high tech and get the job done. But another job it gets done is burning your eyes from their sockets because it’s butt-ugly-ratchet. That, and it’s owned by a vast majority of asshats.

Alfalfa > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:36

0

They do what they’re designed to do very well. They’re reliable and economical. I’d never own one for myself because they drive like any other modern economy car, but would never discourage a non-car person from owning one.

dogisbadob > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:37

7

The Prius is a reliable car with low operating costs that will give you no problems. It is a great daily driver.

Just too bad the US-market Prius V wagon doesn’t get the third seat :(

Alfalfa > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 01/20/2018 at 15:38

2

But they’re the same asshats who would be driving a Camry otherwise, I promise you it doesn’t make anyone more of an asshat than they already are.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > Alfalfa 01/20/2018 at 15:39

0

Did I mention that I also hate Camrys, especially the new LE ones? The Accord is a way better choice, so fuck Camrys. #certifiedhondabro

Kiltedpadre > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:40

1

I actually looked at a 2013 when I needed an efficient commuter. The seats seemed comfortable, and I actually liked the interior design except for the rear view mirror.

It was so large that when I set the seat in a comfortable position for me the entire right side of the windshield basically became a blind spot. I’m 6-4, and this is a problem I sometimes encounter in small cars. However, do to the sheer size of the mirror it was much worse in the Prius than in other cars.

404 - User No Longer Available > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:42

1

That particular one? Ugly. I’m okay with the Prius Prime though:

Thing about “going hybrid” is the snobbish “I’m helping the environment” stigma that goes with it, when in fact it doesn’t. The production of the car is more harmful the environment than what a large SUV can do.

interstate366, now In The Industry > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:42

0

They’re ok. The new one is just ugly. It’s more the owners than the car itself.

404 - User No Longer Available > 404 - User No Longer Available 01/20/2018 at 15:44

0

I mean, let’s not forget this:

gmporschenut also a fan of hondas > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:46

1

reliable. super cheap to operate.

wasn’t a fan of the latest gens touch screen.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > for Michigan 01/20/2018 at 15:46

1

I made this comment on Oppositetalk but I would get a Lexus HS250h because fancy Prius l.

average user > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 15:46

0

Drove the last generation briefly (my friend’s rental when she came to visit). Competent4 door with lots of space. Power is limited but that’s part and parcel of the car i suppose. Only did highway driving so i cannot speak of handling but comfortable ride without being TOO soft.

It is kind of a perfect car for people who don’t really care about cars.

for Michigan > OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars 01/20/2018 at 15:48

2

Or that. I the CT200h, too.

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > for Michigan 01/20/2018 at 15:50

1

The CT200h makes me too mad to buy. It should have come with the 2.5L, the hybrid, or the CTF with the 3.5L V6. Instead it’s a hybrid only slow mobile.

Alfalfa > HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute 01/20/2018 at 15:52

2

There will always be another cheap basic car for people who don’t care about cars or driving.

HondoyotaE38: A Japanese and German Collab...wait a minute > TheJWT 01/20/2018 at 16:03

0

We’ve reached a verdict:

f86sabre > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:04

1

I’ve riden in and driven a few. I appreciate that Toyota made an effort to bring a new technology to the masses and made it work. This has forced other car makers to look at things differently and that is positive. It may not be the Oppo-preferred (tm) mode of transport, but I think they were smart to go after the car as utility crowd as opposed to the cool car crowd. People who are looking for basic transport will call BS earlier and louder if something doesn’t work than folks who are into tech for the novelty.

fhrblig > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:04

2

I have no problem with them, but I probably wouldn’t buy one. I’d lean toward the Hyundai Ioniq instead. I really like the Ioniq.

S65 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:11

0

I don’t hate them

RT > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:11

0

The Prius - it gets you from A to B and sips fuel. They do their job.

The only problem is that other cars can do that job much better.

Actually I lied, there’s another problem: the new one looks like a saggy whale. 

Spoon II > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:19

1

It does what it was designed to do well, and that makes me consider it a good vehicle. I wouldn’t mind having one as a daily driver

Captain of the Enterprise > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:24

0

They are probably fine, I’ve never driven one but I’ve heard they are great at being efficient. As with all hybrids I worry about the batteries after a few years though.

Chuckles > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:34

2

The real enemy is apathy. People who don’t care about cars at all. I’d take a Prius over some generic beige sedan because at least it’s good at something. I can respect a vehicle that succeeds in being very good at what it sets out to do.

Nick Has an Exocet > 404 - User No Longer Available 01/20/2018 at 16:37

0

Pretty much sums up Prius drivers right there. I have almost no issue with the cars. It’s the owners that I have a problem with.

Spaceball-Two > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:39

1

My tile guy has one. He ripped out the back seats and put in a flat floor. It holds all his tools, wet saw, etc. Still leaves plenty of room for the materials too

Nick Has an Exocet > jasmits 01/20/2018 at 16:42

0

It’s all about the owners. They’re either the kind of people that think it’s okay to key a pickup or the kind of people that see their prius as an opt-out from automobiles. The opt-out crowd makes me frustrated because they’re the type that doesn’t know how to park, change lanes, keep up with traffic, etc and it’s because they simply don’t WANT to know how to do it right. The other people are more obliquely annoying and I want nothing to do with any of them. 

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:48

0

I like all generations. I would daily all of them. I know the 2nd gen didn’t have the best interior but...

wafflesnfalafel > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 16:48

0

My cousin has a last gen one and loves it - she’s a regional manager for national restaurant chain and is on the road a bunch. She hasn’t had any issues with it other than blowing a couple tires due to road debris. It’s a competent vehicle and I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to somebody in the market for a hybrid. It is not enjoyable to drive but it is easy to drive and it has the best power delivery of any hybrid I’ve driven, (and better than any of the non-hybrid Nissan CVTs.) But the current gen is just so weird looking and not in a good way to my eye...

carcrasher88 > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 17:11

0

My opinion? First three generations were pretty decent looking, then they ruined it with the hideous fourth gen model, then turned around and redeemed it with the sleek looking Prime.

My favorite part of the Prime is that smooth dip in the rear hatch, clearly looks like it serves an aerodynamic purpose, but it also gives the car a bit more character. They even molded the rear window to match up with it, though I’ll bet replacing that glass if it cracks or shatters wouldn’t be cheap because of that.

Still, all around, I still believe the Prius C is superior for price point and being the most ‘conventional’ looking of the entire Prius lineup, while the V looks like to the Prius as the Fiat 500L looks to the 500 lineup, the (not as) ugly (as the 500L) duckling.

BIGBLOCK472 - wide and bizarre > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 17:19

2

The Prius gets a lot of unnecessary hate but it’s a purpose-built vehicle that accomplishes its mission probably better than any other car.

It’s not terribly exciting but it is exceedingly efficient and dead reliable and has some pretty neat tech.

marshknute > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 17:25

1

I passed my driving test in a Prius, so they’re not all bad!

It’s basically an EV for people who don’t want to adopt an EV lifestyle. You never run out of charge and it goes FOREVER before needing a refuel.

And that split rear window actually offers amazing rear visibility when backing up (just reverse until the lower window touches the hedge).

Recovering Gaijin > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 17:47

0

My parents have had an early one for years now and it’s been trouble free. I’ve driven it and have no issue with it: it’s competent transportation. It’s no grand tourer, but the one time I really needed quick, it went from ‘Aw, HELL!’ to, ‘Cool: I’m >not< gonna die today’ with way more alacrity than I expected.

A good friend last year bought a ‘15 Prius. I don’t care for the angularity, but it’s comfortable to ride and drive. It’s a good roadtrip car and that’s why she bought it.

I’m blue-collar Jalop: I grew up in air-cooled VWs and the first car I bought was a ‘72 VW camper-followed by my first engine swap two weeks later. I daily a diesel Mercedes wagon. Old school: nothing fancy. I think the Prius is an decent commuter-blob: if I needed a road car, I would certainly consider it. But it would be a purely practical decision: do the numbers make sense? The cars themselves do not inspire me.

Svart Smart, traded in his Smart > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 17:49

0

I think it’s ugly on the outside. I think it’s ugly on the inside. And the last one I rode in, which was of the new/current generation, looked/felt/sounded like unrefined, rattly plastic crap compared to the Hyundai Elantra I’d just returned to the rental counter. I’d much rather have an Ioniq Hybrid even though it’s late to the hybrid game.

Urambo Tauro > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 19:40

0

Meh.

I don’t love ’em, but I don’t care enough to hate them either. You won’t see me driving one, and I don’t need some bro truck “Prius repellent”, either.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > DaftRyosuke - So Long and Thanks for All the Fish! 01/20/2018 at 21:16

0

I’ll throw my $0.02 in before I read the other replies so that my views aren’t thrown off by them.

In my mind, it’s engineered to do one thing - be efficient. And it does a very good job at that. They also seem fairly well built, as they take quite a beating as taxis. The only one I’ve ridden in was a taxi, and the guy driving it was driving it pretty hard. If it can take 500,000 km of that kind of abuse and not self-destruct, that’s got to mean something.

When I first saw the newest generation ones I thought they were hideous. They are slowly starting to grow on me, though.

Avoid the Prius Prime. It’s a joke. The electric only range is abysmal compared to other offerings. It’s like Toyota still isn’t taking electric cars seriously, and all their designers are on some sort of weird hard drugs. It’s almost like they couldn’t make a good looking car if they tried.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > dogisbadob 01/20/2018 at 21:18

1

Did they get a third row in other markets?

dogisbadob > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/20/2018 at 23:34

0

Yes, Europe and Japan got a third seat, and also a smaller Li ion battery.

The US Prius V uses a bigger battery of older technology, so the third seat doesn’t fit.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > dogisbadob 01/21/2018 at 00:28

1

That’s sad. The Pacifica hybrid really needs more competition.