2016 Toyota Prius?
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Not sure.
Although it does match all the spy shots we have already seen of the car.
Lots (and lots) of people love to hate the Prius design. I don’t.
I think the current model looks OK.
( with over 120 000 sold in the US last year, I am not the only one).
I wouldn’t buy one because I don’t like the way it drives. And getting the highest MPG isn’t my number one priority.
This looks like a natural evolution for Toyota. There’s even a bit of the Mirai design in it. (Which is really NOT a good thing.)
The only other rumor I hear is a 10% gain in MPG. Which could be enough for current owners to switch to the new one. I guess…
10% gain in MPG is more than enough for old Pious owners to trade in on a new one. Of course it doesn't make sense to trade if you do the math–but if all Peeus owners did the math Toyota would still be trying to sell that first one! You have to look at it for what it is. Not an Automobile. But a political statement for the mathematically challenged.
The average car transaction in the US is now $33,000 and you can get a Prius using Truecar for $22,000. That's how Prius owners do math and leave the politics to the ignorant.
Funny how this car upsets so many "conservatives." In fairness they are always upset. I think it is hideous as shown though.
The front is fine; the rear is drop dead ugly. Toyota's design language is confusing.
As for the fuel economy increases – 10% simply is not enough. Toyota can do MUCH better. Considering the real world MPG given the current tech and when this car was introduced, 10% can be attained alone by moving to lithium ion batteries. Factor in tech they'll 'borrow' from Mazda, the reported 200lb drop in weight – I'd say 20% is the bare minimum.
July 8, 2015 at 2:02 AM Here's how the rest of the world does math:
Focus $17k & 42mpg; Dart $16k & 41mpg; Cruise $16k & 40mpg. But if you insist on paying over $20k for an entry-level (cheap plastic interior, stiff ride, more wind noise) then you might as well go for the mpg champ: Focus Electric (110 mpg). It's at the high end of $20's but your on your way already with the equally uncomfortable and monotonous Pious at $22k-$30k at 40mpg (up to a max of 95mpg for the outrageously–for what you get–expensive Peeus Electric ($30k-$40k+). Even the Corollas & Yaris (both 36 mpg Hwy) look like a much smarter choice. And then we have the environmental impact of those super-toxic & chemically unstable Lithium Batteries…which aren't exactly cheap to replace! Of course many of the mathematically challenged will probably want to wait for the upcoming Pious Hydrogen Cell vehicle (a.k.a. "Hindenburg II") (FYI, not all people who think logically are conservatives–I'm as much a social Liberal as Obama!)
My coffee grinder has a better design than this turd. I get the appeal of super efficient cars and hybrid models. But I will never understand why Toyota chooses to produce such ugly appliances. Why, God. WHY?
I like the current one, but this… well, this is just atrocious. This is a design that might be saved if they didn't have an awkward floating roof with that blacked out rear pillar.
Here is the real mileage combined of your "better" choices which all pale to the mileage champ Prius which also continues to be a top 10 quality pick from Consumer Reports. To quote them "nothing can touch the sweet-spot combination of the Prius’ affordability, stellar fuel economy, smart packaging, and blue-chip reliability.”
Here are what your smaller lower quality rental lot cars average (not just highway) on fueleconomy.gov
Focus (31)
Dart (27)
Cruise (30)
*****Prius (50)
See? No comparison idiot.
You get what you pay for in life. If you want quality, you pay a little more.
July 9, 2015 at 2:28 AM
I drive mostly highway–so–the Prius has like a 30-year break-even with gas now at $3/gal (assuming the battery will be replaced free–which it won't.) But if you live in the inner city Prius makes somewhat more sense. Though not as much sense as busses, bikes, subways, elevated trains or a combination of all of them. So if I get 40 HWY and Prius gets 50; at $3/gal, the Prius has to be a LOT closer to $16k (probably less with truecar) in order for it to make any sense at all. (especially if you leased or financed it–compounding of interest on after-tax money and all; and taking into consideration the time value of money.) But if you're trying to make a statement–although I'm not sure what that statement would be amongst the financially educated–then the Prius definitely makes a statement. If you're pretending that manufacturing and disposing of those batteries is good for the environment, why not pretend that co2 & co are good for the environment?–you're pretending anyway, right? But a "I'm financially illiterate" sticker on a Yaris would be a lot cheaper–short term & long term!
Toyota said that this would have an improved design. Different is not improved. This is horrible. By the way I am a conservative with a Leaf, an i3 and a Prius as my backup. With less that $20 of gasoline used a month in my household, I laugh at everyone else. Given that the Fed and Georgia gave me $12,500 off my Leaf and my i3 leases, I laugh even harder.
July 9, 2015 at 2:28 AM
Look at the plastic on the dash of a Prius. Then drive a Prious for 100 miles. Then look at the 8" nav screen, 7" cluster screen, and soft-touch dash on a Dart. Then drive a Dart for 100 miles. Your opinion of what constitutes "quality" may change. Like most Toyota fans, the fact that you've never taken a close look at the competition is obvious when you start making comparisons! I've driven them all. NO brand is a "quality" leader right now across the board. And the 2015 Prious inparticular–feels and handles like a base level Cobalt from a decade ago. Even Kia's entry-level models have upped their game much more than the Prius over the years!
Cruise Eco & Dart Aero are both 34 mpg combined (42 & 41 Hwy respectively)
@July 9, 2015 at 12:15 PM
One question. Have you ever heard of something called "resale value"?
July 10, 2015 at 12:05 PM High resale value (I believe the Jeep Rubicon has one of the highest) is only valid if you're selling the car in 3-6 years. If you buy it used, you want a car with POOR resale value (i.e., comparatively less costly to buy verses any comparatively equipped alternatives) NOT high resale. If you keep it for a decade or two–resale is irrelevant anyway (because they'll all be worth very little–especially compared to what you spent on taxes and compound interest). So smart people aren't buying (NEW) Jeep Wrangler Rubicons for their high resale. (They're buying Jeep Rubicons for their stellar off-road prowess, durability, dependability and longevity–period.) And smart people aren't buying Prius Hybrids–at all. The Prius "break-even" point is out there so far in the future that resale becomes irrelevant. And if you trade off your Pious (or any car) in less than 10 years (or less than 200k miles) you're simply throwing money away (with ANY vehicle). (All cars built now are good for 10-15 years or 200k-300k miles. (That's what I've been getting on Dodges and I'm sure Toyotas are just as good.) The truth is, if you're intent on getting the most "bang for the buck", resale is meaningless because the way you get the absolute BEST value is either 1) Buy it used–and buy one that is less expensive than others comparably equipped (LOW resale); OR buy it new and run it for a million miles or until the repair costs/month exceed the payments on a new(er) one. (If you keep a Prius that long you've got some hefty repair costs–and not just the batteries, but regenerative breaks, and all kinds of expensive complications–from computer chips to wiring nightmares–that are not easily (or cheaply) repaired. (The wrongful death lawsuit issues have usually been mostly paid for–as is usually the case with government mandated safety recalls) It's all just math. And if you are stuck with a Prius–you either didn't do the math; don't understand the math; left out some critical parts of the equation; or you simply love Toyotas (just like some love ONLY Chevys or ONLY Fords, etc) and you chose to make a purely emotional choice. The "value" argument (as far as the Pious is concerned), is in reality, simply a justification for what was either a purely emotional decision ("buyer loyalty"); an uninformed decision; or just a bad decision. One thing is is NOT: It is not the choice of a person who routinely makes financially sound decisions! (Also probably not the choice of someone who lives in snow country, or off the beaten path and needs something they can always rely on in any kind of weather!) One last point: If you're BUYING ANY car you will always be smarter to lease (assuming you drive under 16k miles/year–over 16k the choice is not so clear cut; and assuming it's a closed-end lease–most are now). Lease it for 36 or 39 months. (You will only pay sales tax and interest on the portion of the car you use (i.e. what depreciates) during the lease–instead of on the entire price of the car. When you sign the (closed-end) lease they will tell you what you can buy it for when you turn it in 3+/- years later. If it's worth more–BUY IT (for the lower price you were quoted at the start). If it's worth less–walk away (let the leasing company eat the loss due to poor resale value). The less "emotionally attached" you are to ANY specific brand–the more likely you'll be able to concentrate on understanding ALL the math involved. GODD LUCK!
Sorry – we're comparing Jeeps to Prius now? Right – that pretty much deep sixes your expertise.
I'll agree with the one comment you made; smart people aren't buying Prius. They're buying Volts. Better value. Better quality. Better consumer satisfaction.
Toyota was the green leader. This design pretty much ensures they'll fall behind. Hyundai has a Prius-esque car coming out – I'll guarantee it'll look better, last longer, offer comparable fuel economy and be $10K less.
Jesus. I thought this was a car enthusiast site but apparently the great Pious Hater thinks its an actuary & economics class. You really need to relax, pal. And, as you base your thinking and advice on driving a 4 year old Dodge for the next 20 years – you are irrelevant. Goodbye.
July 11, 2015 at 9:49 AM You said, "and advice on driving a 4 year old Dodge for the next 20 years – you are irrelevant. Goodbye." Who's the hater???
as a person who sells a superior product vs toyota ( the recall kings), i'm very pleased to see that they are still very lost in design and well as quality…..perfect!