Prius Overrated?

[Chuck]

Of course, the Prius is a polarizing vehicle - some want to shoot it up.

[Harold]

I'll give it car of the decade as well! H

[lamebums]

I still think it's overrated.

Even with the hybrid synergy drive, most drivers of Priuses (Prii?) still barely get 40 MPG's. Although it's a step in the right direction if they still drive it like a regular FSP they aren't going to get good mileage or help the environment. It's the mentality that has to change, and billing the Prius as a "cure-all" for our problems isn't the solution. Don't get me wrong, if I had the money for one, I'd get it in a minute... but I'm just tired of people acting like 'I have a Prius, I'm saving the environment' while driving 90MPH and then complaining about 32 MPG when they fillup, when the epa says 48.

[mac-mile]

I'm going with 'No Opinion' . . . because I've never seen an ad for the Prius, yet I know what it is. I have driven one and wish it were in my reach financially, it is an awesome machine and an engineering marvel. With the exception of this forum, (I love this forum, props to all who keep it together) it is either overrated or underrated on the internet and in magazines. Most reviews are either by fuel-heads who cry it's way under powered, or by a tree hugger who screams about it still using fossil fuel. I do consider myself a tree hugger and I think the Prius is the best step away from fossil fuels so far. Toyota put a plug on the thing, although in my area electricity comes from coal with a little wind generation thrown in for the warm and fuzzes. With the Prius the technology is off the ground, if GM has really got the Tahoe/Yukon/Land Yacht on wheels to 20mpg in the city get that technology in a something like an Malibu . . . wait they are and the numbers don't make sense, could have been the drivers or the technology was dumbed-down for the Malibu.

Sorry for the rant . . . I'm went car shopping today and the best things I can find, used and in my range are, are dismal at best. Four cylinder manuals are very hard to find around here, I live in the land of the giant SUV/Pickup/Personal Bus, like everywhere else nowdays and it makes me feel like this guy

Someday I'll own a Prius, fourth generation probably

[diamondlarry]

I voted for underrated in the poll. I say this because there are almost no commercials on tv for the Prius. And, it seems that if there is a commercial from Toyota, it's almost like, "Oh, by the way, our Prius gets a combined 46 mpg," and they quickly switch the subject to another vehicle.

In any kind of city enviro, the Prius will eat your breakfast, lunch and dinner no matter what else you drive unless you are really really good. Out on the highway, it will take down everything available to us here in the US and all but the compact Diesels overseas stand a chance.

I have witnessed this first hand and Wayne has too. It seems that every time I come through Chicago headed south on my way home, my mpg will actually increase 2-5 mpg during beep and creep traffic.

[Jimmy]

Originally Posted by xcel

Hi Jimmy:

___We have to look at the article in the context of today, not tomorrow or sometime in the future. I always look back to what else is available right now? The HCH-II and the Prius is ALL there is for 99% of us and if I have to lead someone one direction or the other, the Prius takes the trophy even if I think its driver ergonomics are close to the worst in the industry.

___Good Luck

___Wayne

Hello Wayne:

Yes, a mass-produced plug-in Prius is unfortunately not available at the moment, but if people keep bringing up the subject, maybe Toyota will finally take note and do something about it. I certainly hope so. Who knows? We may even see them in the show rooms in a year or two. I often drop in and urge local Toyota dealers to mention "plug-in" to Toyota corporate.

Regards,

Jimmy

[AlphabetBackward]

The commercial I remember is a bunch of people holding of signs saying "Yes" either in English or some other language. That's the answer if asked "would you buy a Prius again?"

Then I remember Honda's spin on it with people holding up signs saying "No" and "do you really want to ride around in something that looks like a block of cheese?" *holds up cheese* to advertise the Civic Hybrid.

Don't see either anymore.

[kngkeith]

I say underrated. I am envious of those that own one. Lots of room and small diesel mileage without the diesel fuss. Disappointments that I read about seem to be more about unrealistic expectations and not about the car. Diesels will have an uphill battle, especially when people discover they can't get that smell out of their Isotoners.

Keith

[atlaw4u]

I am surprised lately how many Prius (or is it Prii) I see commuting into downtown Dallas. However, it's also frustrating as 9 out of 10 drivers are driving aggressively, trying to beat the next car ahead of them, cutting in and out of traffic and speeding. It's probably these drivers that also complaint that their car is not getting the mileage they hoped.

[noflash]

FWIW, the Honda Civic Hybrid is the Underrated hybrid. It's only down a couple mpg comapred to the Prius and has many advantages over the Prius.

Yet, it's sales are a drop in the bucket compared to the Prius.