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So what did Toyota get wrong with Prius? By looking at its faults could they improve the car at all for future iterations? We will attempt to do so here.
The Styling
This is the biggest complaint. The car just doesn’t look good. It screams ECO car and doesn’t look fun to drive.
The Acceleration
With a zero to sixty time about 10.1 seconds the 2004 Toyota Prius could be beaten by the Tesla so badly. With the Ludacris button the Tesla’s 0-60 is 2.8 seconds. Ouch.
The Small Traction Battery
With a little over 1 miles of traction battery range, I think they could have seriously done better and make the MPGs even better.
The Weather Stripping along the Hatchback
I can’t tell you how many of these Gen II cars (2004-2009) have puddles under the plastic storage compartments on each side at the rear.
The Name
Could it have been named anything else? Is the Prius one or many? If you have more than one should they be called Prii? This one really isn’t that bad but it seems like they could have come up with a better name than that.
Overall, as a true supporter of this Franchise, I can only hope they will improve the brand and increase the range of the Plug in Version. I applaud them for the MPGs these cars have and the longevity of their NiMH battery chemistry. They pioneered the category and I’m very glad they did. They became the leader in the field and promote the idea that gas mileage could be improved and help lower operating costs for its owners.
With the line extensions of recent times the Prius C and Plug In Prius have given the brand more reach into different segments and still provides the buyers will a low gas consumption car. While gas prices have slide recently, no one truly imagines that this price will last for very long once OPEC gets their act together. The Toyota Prius will always have a place.
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Comments
A rehashed article slamming
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A rehashed article slamming the Prius. So brave. Just drove over 1000 miles down 101 at well above posted speeds in my 2010 Prius and i have spent under 50$ on gas. 110,000 miles, original brake pads, oil changes at 10,000.
Did not slam it but gave it
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In reply to A rehashed article slamming by kyle (not verified)
Did not slam it but gave it constructive issues that could be fixed. I stated at the bottom of the article that I applaud Toyota for making this car.
I love my 2011 Prius. My only
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I love my 2011 Prius. My only complain is the black on brown display which makes it hard to read in daylight. I wouldn't mind a little more energy in the traction battery. I would like to have a plug in Prius, but the limited electrical range does not justify the cost.
Sensationalist drivel written
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Sensationalist drivel written by a person that doesn't understand hybrid design methodology. It's not about having the biggest flash. It's about having an engine and matching car design in the form of wheels and weight distribution that allows for the vehicle to get the most mileage without draining gas.
While you whine like an uninformed child, did you also know that the "design flaws" of the look of the car created one of the most aerodynamic cars out on the market? Why? because it was part of the methodology that allows the car to save gas.
I drove a Gen 1 and Gen 3 Prius. They were and are awesome cars.
HAHA....uninformed? Please.
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In reply to Sensationalist drivel written by Your Audience (not verified)
HAHA....uninformed? Please. I had a Plug In Prius for 8 months prior to it being launched. I managed the Plug In Prius Facebook Page and used to install supplemental battery packs in the Prius and made them into Chevy Volts prior to their actually being a Chevy Volt. So relax and note, I support the Prius brand. I just recommend some changes.....
The 17 people that needed to
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The 17 people that needed to go zero to 60 in 2.8 seconds in a green car bought the Tesla with the Ludacris button in August. 17,575 customers thought the Prius' acceleration met their needs.
Then why don't you buy a
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Then why don't you buy a Tesla? Jackass! That throw away line at the end of your comments does not absolve you for the tedious BS meaningless reasons you cited dissing the Prius. It is the most efficient hybrid on the market and part of its success is the aerodynamic shape which you seem to have no appreciation for. As for acceleration it is plenty peppy enough in the power mode to give your head a good jerk when flying up a steep grade. It's made to be efficient and haul your butt around without breaking the bank. I bet you drive An F150 and get 15mpg.
Thanks for your comments Bob!
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In reply to Then why don't you buy a by Bob keller (not verified)
Thanks for your comments Bob! I said I applaud Prius accomplishments of high MPG and great battery technology. Guess you missed that and called me names. Just an FYI, I drive a Nissan Leaf and Ford C-Max Energi and averaging about 65 mpgs.....more battery capacity than the Plug In Prius. I would have gone with the Prius had it had more plug in range. Yet they blew it. Oh well. Thanks for reading.
Prius Gen 3 has sold 5
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Prius Gen 3 has sold 5 Million + units while Tesla S barely sold a few Thousands so Toyota has got it wrong ?
Can't complain really, the author may be the one with the highest IQ out of all the torque news fans
Thanks for the complement....
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In reply to Prius Gen 3 has sold 5 by JayZ (not verified)
Thanks for the complement.....I wasn't writing about the sales numbers....just things that Toyota could make better.....thanks for reading....
IMO, Toyota needs to give
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IMO, Toyota needs to give Lexus a more competitive version of the Prius than the abysmal CT 200. Sure it's more stylish and has a nicer quality interior, but it's backseat is unusable and the accelleration is the same 10 seconds. If they gave it the same interior dimensions as the Prius and better performance it could be a real seller. Doesn't need to be at 6 seconds... 7 or slightly above would be good.
Have to agree. I wanted to
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In reply to IMO, Toyota needs to give by Saint-Nitouche (not verified)
Have to agree. I wanted to buy one until I tried to sit in it and looked at the performance. They really blew it on this one.
I would love to see a sporty
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I would love to see a sporty version of the Prius that would be fun to drive. Maybe a convertible along the lines of the Honda S2000 with excellent handling and maybe a little more battery zap than the present drive train of the Prius.
Wow. This is a tough crowd.
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Wow. This is a tough crowd.
Yep, slow, handles poorly,
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Yep, slow, handles poorly, noisy, it's an unrefined appliance. You really don't care about driving if you own one.