Possibly looking for a new ride. Just wondering if anyone has experience with a Prius. I hear they are reliable and dependable. I have also been told that while small and a tight squeeze to get into, they are comfy to ride in. Thoughts?
Yeah I had one, I would not recommend it.
That was an older one, they may have improved but the issue is that they are underpowered and noisy under load and extremely difficult to drive optimally to get the high mpg, its very very hard work and extremely tiring to get right and there is no need for it, if you want high mpg you could just get one of these 3 cylinder diesels.
The car doesn't help you either, working the throttle accurately is like safe cracking.
At all times you have to be asking yourself do i want to spend energy / fuel to gain speed, decelerate slowly to gain energy or more often than not, coast which is where the difficulty lies.
You should avoid any hybrid which has a high battery capacity because its a complete waste of time, batteries will lose their capacity over time and are extremely heavy, all you want is enough storage to be able to capture energy when you have to slow down or God forbid, stop, (this is death for mpg, never ever ever stop ever) and then spend it again immediately to get back up to speed.
It's ok around town but isn't better than a small run around designed specifically for town driving, its garbage on a motorway cruise because you can't regen anything all you are doing is maintaining speed for hour after hour all the time hauling dead weight in the form of batteries.
So for it to be of any value at all you have to be driving between towns without using a motorway on what we would call an A or B road in the UK.
Hybrids are expensive to buy so you dont want a new one and there are some pretty good arguments which suggest that they aren't even good for the environment when you consider the entire lifecycle of the vehicle.
What do you need your car to do?
What are the variables which are important to you?
Thank you for such a detailed reply. That is all good information for those thinking about a Prius. Appreciate you putting such a well thought out opinion.
For the vast majority of people, i. e. those with a family and mixed usage of the car who just want to get from A to B without it costing loads of money the best thing to buy would be a 5 door hatchback (so 4 people doors and a large hatch opening rear / tail) with a 1.6L turbo diesel engine.
Anything european or japanese is fine with the exception of VW, not that VW is bad but because german engineering is prized and these cars are weighted above their punch, they are overpriced. If you still want the German engineering etc then you get a Skoda.
French cars have a tendancy to have suspension tuned towards comfort so that may well be the thing for you.
Japanese are smooth and reliable etc and could have more gadgets as they aren't really building what they want to be building, if they were allowed to they would all be riding around in giant robots.
Italian you generally gain style and lose reliability.
Swedish is likely to be safe and practical.
American is just garbage with the exception of Ford which is perfectly fine.
Vauxhall might have clever folding seats? Which could be relevant if you have a family perhaps but otherwise I can't think of a good reason to pick Vauxhall over the other choices.
Why diesel over gas? Just wondering. Diesel in personal passenger cars isn’t really a thing anymore in Canada, since VW lied about diesel emissions a few years ago, and they had most of the market share for diesel sedans.
@musicbrain5 That's a good question.
Its really all about fuel economy, diesel is more efficient that petrol / gas. It doesn't matter that VW lied about the exact numbers, it is fundamentally still true the diesel is more energy dense and the engines are probably more efficient as well.
Gas / petrol will give you more responsive performance making them more fun with 'spirited' driving and for that reason you will also need to be more disciplined to get the best mpg.
Diesel fuel can get very thick in cold weather so petrol / gas might be a better choice in a cold climate.
I don't think that gas / petrol vs diesel is totally game changing, the main thing is to buy the right sort of car for the job that its doing.
E. g. dont buy a tiny 3 door hatch / city car and then use it on a motorway cruise.
If you never drive outside the city and a small car is big enough for you then by all means get the small city car but be aware they are really not built as well as larger cars.
If you know you will always be pulling or carrying a considerable load then you might want a 1.8L or even 2.0L engine because while 1.6L will do it, it won't be that happy about it.
If for whatever reason you find you need to do a lot of overtaking or if you simply want to trade out a bit of efficiency for a bit more performance then take the gas / petrol over the diesel.
“Diesel fuel can get very thick in cold weather so petrol / gas might be a better choice in a cold climate.” Ah, yes I forgot about that. Temps can drop to -30 or more here so people don’t want to deal with starting a diesel in the morning before work, lol.
Yeah, definitely if you’re towing anything regularly, diesel is a more economical and efficient choice. But it’s far more expensive than gasoline in the end, at least around here. For the average Canadian, gas cars are fine, and especially if you’re in the city where fuel mileage for everyone goes out the window, haha.
I have one of the older models. They are fine for city driving but basically get the same mileage as a civic on the highway. But really at this point I'd just get an electric. The Chevy bolt starts at 26k and, I think, qualifies for the 7.5k tax credit. That's pretty cheap.
The sad fact is combustion engines are embarrassingly inefficient for spinning things, really, and they are still the core of a hybrid. Magnets have ridiculous efficiency for spinning things - indeed there is some concern with EVs that they will lead to a substantial increase in rubber waste, as the power behind it can wear out tires much faster. However, when it comes to heating a car, burning things will always be cheaper than heat generated with electricity. I thought it would be cool if an EV had something like a wood burning stove just to keep the cabin warm. But with a combustion engine you get the heat basically for free.
So, I guess I'm saying if you live in a really cold area, probably a prius is a good idea. I don't like their arm rests, myself but apart from that they work just fine.
I work at a Toyota dealership in the UK and we don’t see a whole lot of Prius’s. Also, I don’t know what differs in the US, but I have plenty of experience with driving Toyotas as well as other vehicles and it is my favourite brand (not just saying that because I work for them). Some people on here have mentioned hybrid batteries dying quick but I have never seen a hybrid battery die and I’ve been working here a few years now. In the UK at least they have an up to 15 year hybrid battery warranty, you get an extra year added each time you get it serviced which includes a hybrid health check. You also get an up to 10 year warranty if you get it serviced at a Toyota dealership because they trust in their parts & technicians, etc.
Toyota have been doing hybrids the longest, over 20 years, and are generally known for being one of the most reliable car brands so I would recommend!
I'd get one if it looked like this.
That thing is awesome 🤣
Opinion
41Opinion
Only once and there wasn't enough room for me. I am 6' tall though with wide shoulders.
Two people I worked with had them and both had problems with them. One after 4 years and the other after 7 years of ownership. The one after 4 years ended up getting rid of it. Both people had bought them new.
If you want a car that will get pretty good gas mileage, be comfortable, dependable, and not cost a lot, I'd recommend a Nissan Versa. I have one and it still works great. I got a new 2013 Versa sedan. It still works like new. 34 to 35 mpg city while using air conditioner with premium 91 octane gas and 40 mpg highway. I got mine with manual/roll up windows, manual adjust seats, and manual door locks. That way there will be no potential problems with electric motors for those things like most cars eventually have.
The only things I changed out was the stereo and the door speakers. Oh and I finally got new tires last November after all that time.
I fit in it well. I can even have my driver's seat back so it fits me and then get in the back seat and my knees don't touch the seat in front of me either. It has more interior room than midsize SUVs do. (Chevy Trailblazer, Ford Explorer and similar sized SUVs.)
I’ve ridden in multiple. I didn’t feel that they were to tight to get in or out of. And I’m a big ish guy average height but on the heavy side. An Ex of mine had one. She was plus sized and had no issues. There are different versions of the prius too. Prius, prius C, prius prime, prius v. They are different sizes. The thing to be concerned about with any hybrid (plug in or not) is the hybrid battery. They only last so long before they start holding less and less of a charge and eventually will need replacing. In some cases they can perform a maintenance on them to avoid full replacement. Either way…expensive. That being said. I would not go to far back model year wise. If you can get a new one that’s best case. If not a certified pre owned would be the next best choice. If not then id recommend as i said above sticking to one that is maybe only a few model years back so as to get the most of the battery life. Toyota is very dependable. And has the lowest cost of ownership vs any other brand. So there is that.
I have, yes- even owned one, briefly. They're Toyotas, a company that has very much earned its reputation for durable, long-lasting equipment (you can easily arrange a test drive to see how comfortable you'd find it). However- and this a BIG however- the hybrid batteries in those things are FAR from cheap; the Prius I had lasted me all of two months before it went out (the car *was* fifteen years old, in fairness), and replacing it would've cost seven grand, and that was BEFORE our current economic madness.
Many cities have mobile mechanic services that will come to you, and most of them (at least the ones I've seen) have a "check out a car you're looking at" service; dropping a hundred bucks is WELL worth the investment. I'm not sure how well they could handle examining something like a hybrid battery, but it's the kind of thing you'll want to checked out by SOMEONE who knows what they're doing.
Thanks! That is a lot of good info.
You're welcome. They ARE good cars, but you want to make sure they'll stay working, since fixing them can be quite pricey.
Yes I have. The Prius is one of a few default car models that taxi companies use in my country.
Personally for me, it makes a decent ride. While it is in no way luxurious and there’s a lack of leg space in the back (maybe I have long legs), it still gets you from place to place. From what I hear, it’s one of the more reliable models in the Toyota line-up and offers top-notch fuel economy. Toyota cars are some of the safest vehicles in the world and the Prius is packed with safety features. I feel that the ride quality/experience can be improved because the Prius has a SERIOUS issue with road noise. If you’re looking for a comfortable ride, this might not be the best option. I can hear the sound of traffic, the wind and the engine while riding in the back seat (I might be nit-picking but I’m someone who cannot stand a noisy ride.)
Yes, possibly twice. I don't recall the first time but the second time it was rather difficult to get in and the driver had to make all sorts of adjustments to my seat to enable me to get in! But, for some stupid ass reason, cars and houses are getting smaller while people are getting taller!! I hardly fit into ANY new cars, these days! I need the jaws of life just to get INTO them!!
I heard a Prius can be hard to fit into. Tight squeeze some would say.
I've been in a number of new cars the past 20 years and can hardly fit into ANY of them! My neighbor came to get me in his Ford Taurus last month and I sat in the front seat and had to sit with my head tilted left, almost touching my shoulder, the whole 20:00 that I was in the car!!
Holy heck! Are you a giant? I cannot relate. I am barely over 5’ tall. If only you could send some height my way.
Yes, 6' 9". If I could throw you some, I would. My ex-fiance was just under 5' 4" but, they don't stack it very high in India!
You actually CAN get taller but, it's a very long and probably very painful process. They'd have to break your legs and stretch them out about an inch so that, when they grow back together, you'll be an inch taller. I don't think they take it more than an inch per break.
I have personally never had the pleasure. I did have a hybrid Honda civic for we had kids. Definitely not much room for children in that car! All of our children take after their father, who is on the taller side :-)!
I have. My uncle in NC has a 2017 Prius Prime. He gets incredible gas mileage he says.
It's weird because when riding in it while in EV mode it is super quiet, almost like it isn't even on.
Have driven it once, not sure I'd buy one or not. Not the worse car I've ever been in, but def not in love with it either.
@PrettyPriya if you buy one you can change your username to "PrettyPrius" 🤣. I have ridden in many. They're solid and comfortable. I wouldn't want one (Camaro and/or an SUV are more my type) but it's a great car with Toyota quality and engineering and it is such a mature platform that the kinks have been worked out.
My best friend owned a Prius a few years ago and I've sat in it a couple of times. He personally, loves the car, even though it's a bit expensive than an ordinary non-hybrid, but he tells me the amount he saved up on fuel is incomparable when put up against all others, so it evens out. As for comfort level, the car's okay, I guess, and the speed isn't all that great, naturally, as it is after all, a hybrid hatchback. A Corolla or a Yaris might be faster.
I sat in them on the dealer lot waiting for service on my truck once. The vultures were bored so I entertained them. I wasn’t impressed passed the thought of what happens when something breaks? The cost of parts, etc. Electric cars have a long way to go before their actual footprint is really green too.
I actually have ridden in one.
It was decent. But was surprised how much room for something so small looking. At least the front seat. Not sure how the back seat was
The rear is left empty by most people operating a Prius.
The backdoor or trunk is inaccessible on some models. Can't put anything in the rear.
It can be done but not recommended. Don't want to damage the rear of the Prius with large items.
Hella Africans be driving those in Seattle, I swear Prius drivers are the WORST drivers, start competing with you when you try to pass them and then slow down when you try to get behind them? Like they not tryna get a ticket? Entitled bunch who tryna do good for the planet and think they can run you over because so
but maybe you get them Prius drivers in line, give them something to look up to, good luck finding a new car 😊
No, but there are a number of people at the race track I work at have them and they seem to be very dependable, and get great milage, which with these high gas prices are a plus.
I know one of them was in the 200,000 mile range before it crapped out.
I owned a 2011 Prius. It got great gas mileage and was a bit cheap looking inside and uncomfortable. I put 120,000 miles on it and then gave it to a friend. The new ones are much much better than the one I had.
I have heard the newer models are much more "well equipped". Appreciate the opinion.
Yes totally. Go for it. I haven't personally driven this vehicle but if we are talking about the technical aspects of this model, its the best deal in this range
I see by the (limited) responses so far that not many have been in a Prius but think it is a good value. Appreciate the opinion!
m I must say that I certainly have not had such privilege yet.. but I've seen it around and it has had me wondering how good it would be, although, I've always loved all those perfectly in tune sounds that can come when I got my hands on for a great ride on a car... so that I wonder, does the Prius come with that as well, hmm... even a little bit of humming could be great, who knows... I could give a try, a bit of a test
Prius has good alignment, heated feet and is a silky smooth ride. I hope you can handle the curves. This weeks deal? Fresh wax with test drive.
fresh wax with the first drive? that does sound like the best kind of deal, hands down...
as for the curves? do live for them and know how to approach, even if familiar with... always best to make sure to get a good hold of each, so I know how to take them best and also get the Prius to feel its best...
definitely yes to the deal, I'm in for a first taste...
test* auto-correct... this new format might have me a bit distracted... lol
Well, when you are looking at any mode (not just a Prius) you want to put your best image forward. Having freshly waxed makes sure the person wanting a ride from Prius is enticed by the smooth bodywork.
Test, taste…potato tomato
I can tell from the picture, what a great look there is to the Prius no doubt about that, every line and curve of that body kit surely fits naturally on that smaller yet very aesthetically pleasing frame... on that, I was sold from the very beginning... makes me feel sure that the interiors are up to pair and perhaps even, much more better, definitely great taste
I might give a good hand-wash as well, after the first test and a couple of, more exciting rides... that feels like a must now, because yes, that smooth bodywork deserves great care and attention to every detail
Bumper was refinished and polished just today. Bra cover for front has gone missing. Headlights brighter that way.
both are great to hear... definitely need a good feel and those bumpers on point, an "all fours" wheel drive is a favorite of mine so I hope that's an option, and also really like to go for a great ride later at nights... brighter and headlights on point, make it all BEST...
I reckon you may want to get that ride in before fluid change. Servicing a Prius is not just a monthly job but a weekly one. If you want peak performance, make sure all lubricants are applied and ample time has been allotted to warming up. You will find it more enjoyable when the cabin is nice and toasty.
me being myself... and always wanting optimal performance, yes, I would even make sure to service the Prius at least twice a week because a well lubricated ride makes for the most enjoyable ride, same with the proper and timely warming up before... just to ensure that both the rider and the Prius will get the most out all of it
hmm, nice and toasty cabin, sounds cozy and very welcoming, inviting...
You will feel the warm ridges of the impeccable interior as you slide into the front. Nailed it.
and maybe with the right input and settings... I might get that sweet ride to purr a bit
love it when they immediately respond and react to my every try on them...
No I always buy American made vehicles. My wife has a Ford Escape. It is good on gas, and rides like a much bigger car.
Thanks friend! We don't see a whole lot of Americans here. Cars that is. Prius is popular and low on emissions. The reason I ask. Thanks for the opinion!
@msc545 I have had a few in my life. I always buy 8 cylinder SUVs. I keep them for 12-15 years and get well over 200K miles. I used to do a lot of maintenance myself but they have got too complicated. But most of all, when you buy an American made product the money stays in America and employs fellow citizens. Those citizens buy goods and services that employ other citizens. There is a multiplying effect and that dollar that you spend ends up becoming about 3 dollars as it works it's way down the food chain. When you buy your Prius the money just goes to Japan and another American loses his job and goes on welfare.
@exitseven Theoretically correct and probably what Americans do best though in reality what happened is the car companies went Mexico and Detroit became a wasteland.
Oh dozens of times. But I had my first ride in a Tesla a couple of weeks ago.
Very cool.
I have yet to ride ride in a Tesla but I hear they are super nice.
s I rent one from time to time and it’s super comfy to drive!
Must be an expensive rental. Do you take it to dinner when you rent?
of course!!! gotta have a full belly and lots of energy so I can go for a loooong drive
the heat in the car is amazing!! super warm and comfy
I hear less fluid changes because it uses a lot of batteries to "operate".
hmmm I’m not sure about that, but that definitely sounds like a win to me!
It comes with heated feet.
that sounds heavenly… just like my heated blankets😍
I only rode in one because my best friend owns one and was using it for work in the city. Relatively smooth ride, but not a vehicle from Toyota I would every drive. I would either do a Camry or Tacoma.
The Prius that I know of is adorable and comfy af.
😍🥵🥰 She is a head turner for sure. Hahahaha. ❤️
She truly is! The best Prius ever. I could ride her for hours! 😂❤️
damn I need to stop- 😭
@wonderbell99 AHAHAHAHAHAHA you had me cracking up!!! 😭🤣
What does Mr. B say about those emissions? 😂
LMFAO they are not low enough emissions 😞
m For whatever reason, they are very rare in Germany, I have only seen a Prius a handful of times.
From what I know, they are most efficient in city traffic and short distance drives and make less sense for long-distance commutes.
What the hell, I just learned Toyota took the Prius completely off the German market in 2020, apparently for lack of sales. According to our national DMV, they only sold 500 units that year!
Oh yes, I love riding a prius. It's so warm and snug, I could ride it for hours!
I hear the safety features are good too. Plentiful airbags.
Scented Prius 🤣
What does one sound like? Does she purr?
I hear the are well equipped with lots of nice "features".
I will check with the local dealer and ask if you can take one for a ride. He is usually accommodating when he isn't using the Prius himself.
I have ridden on a Toyota Prius several times whenever I needed an Uber or Lyft ride.
It's Uber's most common vehicle.
No, I didn't love it but I didn't hate it either.
I’m too big. If I’m cramped up the pain starts.
I'm sure the Prius feels the same way with someone too big.
Rear entry prohibited.
It does require a fluid change once a month.
Only the very best, of course. If you fill a Prius with anything other than high quality lubes and parts, she won't be happy and break down.
Hey, it is a high performance machine. She deserves it. You take care of her, she takes care of you. Just like if you bump into her, Prius has ample airbags.
Normally smells of coconut oil.
If you're a first time hybrid owner its going to take some getting used to. Priuses in general are good vehicles, I would not recommend cross country trips it will deplete the longevity of the battery but for stop and go traffic and grocery getting they are perfect for that.
Only the Mk4 is anywhere refined enough to be bought outright. The mk3 and down are only worth leasing.
Yes I have. My father owned 2 of them. They were reliable but pricy compared to the non hybrid version. I drove it didn't really care for it though. I would never buy one.
I rode in one. Literally the most uncomfortable thing I've ever rode in. Suspension was hard as a rock, the seats were like sitting on wooden benches, and there was not much head room.
There’s nothing wrong with it at all. I've never owned one but I’ve had one as a rental. It was a good, decent car, great for everyday use, and didn’t require a lot of gas.
I don’t really like them but it was OK to drive except the shifter was kind of weird but they do get cause gas mileage, The battery is very expensive to replace though
I've heard they are very reliable, but the batteries are super expensive when they have to be replaced.
Any clue as to how long a Prius can go before spending that sort of money for new batteries?
Sorry, I really don't know.
That's alright! Thanks for the opinion. 🙂
Hell no! And I have no intentions on doing so! I'd rather ride a Subaru, girl!
A Prius is also tiny; I'm short (but on the heavy side) and I can barely even fit in one!
I have been a passenger in one. Also uber drivers use them a lot so they must be reliable
Used to ride around in my friend's Prius all the time, it was a great car until it was time for repairs Haha
Yes I have thought it was a horrible ride and if something breaks depending on what it is can get expensive
owned several of them. made a mistake of trading it in for a newer Ford. But its luxury I was after...
Yes; they are very comfortable. They're great cars, if you can get past the ugly aesthetics.
Many times. Most uber drivers here are prius owners.
The only Prius I know is straight...
I hear they are used for ride share by all genders.
Well there is hope for me yet!
I think so. Just charge up the batteries and buzz away.
OMG, I would rather be shot than own a Prius. I guess it's fine for a woman, but a guy who buys a Prius... duuuude...
No , Where would I even ride it to? A pride parade?
I haven’t, lol.
I would know too. Hahaha. I can't like posts with this new format 😭
There... I found it with the new format.
Yeah lots of local taxi firms use them
Thanks for the opinion. Seems Prius gets used a lot for ride sharing.
@PrettyPriya"Ride sharing", that sounds like a cheaper way to ride inside a Prius
@Emiliamazing Yes. Multiple users at once.
@PrettyPriya I can't imagine having more than six passengers, as long as the trunk has a little bit of room. It would be pretty uncomfortable. Might get a little warm.
@Emiliamazing I heard that it is hard to get things in the truck of those. Much easier to put equipment or luggage in the front where most passengers want to ride.
@PrettyPriya oh dear
I'm low on the clever factor this morning
I didn’t ride this one but same model I have it
If you buy anything other a Subaru your wasting your money
I've used Uber so yes.
No I drive a Honda lmao
I wouldn't be caught dead in one lol🤣🤣🤣
They remind me Iof a clown car lol
@Msputiton this is for the "athlete " answer isn't it 🤔🤔 you are cruel
@Msputiton 🤣🤣🤣 point taken...
No and nor would I, I wouldn't feel safe
Nope way too small for me.
No. I never date a rich man. :(
Small compared to what? The pyramids?
No lol I get bitches
No I have not
Never want to either
Not on for it
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