Toyota Prius: Still the greatest car on the planet
When you're too good, everyone hates you
The perfect mix of fuel economy, emissions, cost and functionality
No. I don’t own a Toyota Prius these days. Today, I drive a Toyota Camry hybrid because I permanently injured my back many years ago and the Camry hybrid provides much more lumbar support, which is critical for me, particularly since most of my mileage is long distance — hundreds of miles per trip.
In reality, I just don’t drive that much, and for local transportation I take the subway. However, if I didn’t have the subway and needed a daily commuter car for getting around LA, I’d buy a Prius. Period.
Of course, the upcoming Prius C could make me change my mind about that — if I were in the market.
Nevertheless, when you add in the fuel economy, cargo room, emission’s reductions, overall functionality, reliability and cost, it’s very hard to find a car better than the Prius, especially if you’re a practical person.
Unfortunately, most consumers aren’t pragmatic buyers.
While the hype these days is focused on plug-in vehicles, plug-ins simply don’t yet compare to the Prius. Even with $7500 tax credits, it’s still hard for any plug-in to truly compete with the Prius on all levels. Certainly, the Prius won’t always be the greatest car on the planet and plug-ins will eventually eclipse the king of hybrid cars, but not yet.
Without question, the addition of plug-in vehicles to today’s mix of alternative powertrains is a great step forward, but if automakers were being realistic about battery-powered change, they’d be directly taking on the Prius instead of just developing halo products that they know are still at least a decade away from hitting their stride.
Kudos to all plug-in buyers, seriously, but if real change is the goal, it still starts with hybrids like the Prius.
It’s a real shame this car is so hideous….
I’d like a pickup that can get 30 mpg pulling a 5th wheeler.
that would be COOL!
and if it was a Hybrid – even COOLER!
“When you’re too good, everyone hates you.”
Talk about true.
It’s always hilarious to see how people lambaste the Prius. Most often, it’s about speed (‘EVERYOEN PASSES ME AT STOPLITES!’), how boring the car is (‘I CANT DRAG RACE MY FRIENDS!’), and how homosexual it is (‘HAHA THIS CAR MAKES YOUR A FAG!’).
Of course, some of them are intelligent enough to realize the type of people who buys a Prius wouldn’t give a fuck about any of that, so they then talk about the EPA lying (‘MY CAR GETS 50MPG TOO, TEH EPA IS SLEEPING WITH TOYOTA!’) and how environmentally unfriendly it really is (‘TOP GEAR TELLS ME IT CREATES MORE POLLUTION THEN A HUMMER!’).
In the end, it won’t change a thing. Some people want Corvettes, some want F150s, some want BMW 528is, and some want a Prius.
What will change people’s minds, however, is money. Last I check, gas prices always goes up.
Ah Smurf you are always good for a chuckle. I agree “best in class” maybe.
“Greatest care on the planet”. I don’t think so.
Tom G.
Can you really call a car that is ugly, has poor handling, poor acceleration, costs too much, and is not made in America “greatest”?
Best in class? Maybe.
Greatest on the planet? Not a chance….
[...] Re: Prius Haters. Toyota Prius: Still the greatest car on the planet "When you're too good, everyone hates you" "The perfect mix of fuel economy, emissions, cost and functionality." Toyota Prius: Still the greatest car on the planet – Hybrid Cars and Plug-in Vehicles – Hybridcarblo… [...]
With its selling price I think it is worth it, with the kind of features that it offer it deserves to be called greatest car in the planet.
[...] "The perfect mix of fuel economy, emissions, cost and functionality" "When you're too good, everyone hates you" Toyota Prius: Still the greatest car on the planet – Hybrid Cars and Plug-in Vehicles – Hybridcarblo… [...]
[...] Originally Posted by adamace1 Greater ev range. Battery is made by americans. Car is put together by americans. Better powertrain waranty. No rattle, sqeaks ect ect. Higher quailty inside the car. Automatic headlights. And; Higher Price Sitting for 4 Compact size 37 mpg in HV Toyota Prius: Still the greatest car on the planet – Hybrid Cars and Plug-in Vehicles – Hybridcarblo… [...]
OFF TOPIC:
I rented a Fiat 500 for a business trip and drove it for 10 days.
I really liked it.
Performance and handling were pretty good. I would compare it to a Mini Cooper on performance and handling. Acceleration was better than my Sebring (2.5L 4 cyl). Plus there was a “sport” mode that let you run at higher RPM’s improving acceleration.
The cabin front seat area felt the same size as any other small or midsize sedan that I drove. There just was less car at the front and the back.
I give the seats only a “C” rating though. Comfort was average. Back seats have no leg room to speak of.
Storage was pretty small with the back seats up. I could only put one bag in the trunk. I had a lot more room though if I folded the back seats down. (About the same as a typical trunk on a midsize car.)
It was also pretty stylish, and had quite a few features including blue tooth, premium sound system with Satellite radio and controls on the steering wheel.
When I finally ran out of gas, it took 8.8 gallons to fill the tank……
Overall. I give it very high marks for a vehicle that costs less than $18K…..