Have You Driven a Hybrid Yet?

My aunt and uncle bought a brand new Prius a few months ago and I had the opportunity to drive it for a long distance trip a while back!

Heres what I thought.

Surprisingly comfortable for a small car but very tight for interior room.
I am a big person (6 foot 3 inch's and 250 pounds) and I liked the feel of the seats even after 11 hours on the road. However for me there was absolutely no head room except for the added clearance given from the sun roof recess which I did actually have to have my head up in for most of the trip. That also meant that for people like me the visibility is rather poor. I see more of the sun flap than I can see down the road. Granted its comfortable but very tight quarters. Especially with four people and luggage as well. Most people over about 5 foot 8 inches tall will likely find it a bit of a nuisance to get in and out of. You have to bend down rather far to keep from hitting your head when getting in and the low ground and head clearance plus tight quarters makes it somewhat harder for older or taller people with limited flexibility, strength or of larger builds to get in and out of also.

It had surprisingly good low speed power and has a solid ride like a large full sized luxury car with a pleasantly sporty feel. It has a fairly heavy feel road wise. But it does still get pushed around by wind just like any other smaller vehicle does.
At higher road speeds the little engine doesn't have much power to spare. Any good head wind or fair incline and fuel economy meter nearly touches zero at that point.

The toys and gadgets are well thought out and reasonably user friendly. It has a rather basic but well designed interior as well. The main touch screen control system is a bit of a challenge to use and navigate while driving though. The buttons and menus seem a bit out of order and small.

My aunt and uncle say it does have good in town fuel economy. (30 -32 on average as they have noted) However its actual as driven mileage at highway and interstate speeds quickly drops off. After 10 hours at interstate speeds the actual fuel mileage was around 34 MPG. Sorry but my 1994 Mercury Grand Marquis pulls a consistent 28 -32 on the same trip even loaded down with four people and luggage.

For me and for the price and what I do I wouldn't buy one.
But if I was a city person who needed to drive a reasonable distance everyday in stop and go traffic and had money to burn I would recommend it!

Overall I would not buy or own one. Its too small and my line of work dictates I drive a large well built Ford F-250 Super duty four door pickup most of the time. My work requirements more than off set the dismal fuel mileage it gets.

GOTO priuschat.com

? What is the outside temperature? This will define your MPG. My 2010 prius averages 52 MPG @ 60 degree F and 42MPG @ 20 degree F.

Great car that fits my needs. Great in snow,it just cannot be to deep.

I don't own it, never have and never will. But what does yours get at 60 F and 78MPH with four people, luggage, and misc after 11 hours strait interstate driving? Thats where my numbers came from.

If they are so fussy about temperature they will never hack it in my part of the country then. My Mercury ran consistent mid to upper 20's summer run around driving (70- 90 F) and low to mid 20's winter driving (-20 to +20 F) unless I let it sit and idle a lot.

Since the trip my aunt and uncle have stated several times that what they where told it would get Vs what its actually getting when driven normally in our environment is proving to be some what of a disappointment. The cost of purchase VS realistic savings is not leaning in it favor basically.

The Prius may excel at local run around driving for many but my long haul driving experience and family reference says they don't cut it as well as advertised.

I have driven ford escape hybrid and Honda Insight. Ford escape was a rental for a road trip, and mileage was better than I expected, but not even close to covering the added cost of the technology. Steering by wire was startling (where is the hydraulic noise when you peg the wheel?) and engine cessation at stoplights was eerie feeling too. My daughter bought the honda insight and for the shorter commutes of her and her husband they are quite pleased. Roomier than I expected. milo