DRIVEN + REVIEW: Long-term Test Of Toyota Prius Yields Surprising Results...

When you go to an enthusiast-slanted publication, you typically suspect you're going to enter a world where every recommendation is "Buy an M3." Frankly, this isn't too far away from the truth in some cases.

So, what happens when our friends across the pond at CAR have a long-term test car in form of the latest Toyota Prius. Something surprising, actually.

If you click over, you'll access the publication's log book for the long-term test of the Prius. My favorite entry is how the Prius has become a fleet favorite. Who would of guessed?

In CAR's latest post, the reviewer notes that even after one year the interior looks minty fresh.

This has us wondering: Has Toyota perfected the purpose of the Prius in this latest generation?

The little red marvel has just celebrated its first birthday, and like most one-year-olds it really doesn’t have a clue what all the fuss is about. More importantly, it’s not feeling remotely worn.

Any grubbiness is temporary and can be blamed on the children and dog, but the leather seats still look box-fresh, the piano-black dash is pristine – as long as you can remove microscopic dusts particles from it – and the wheel is unspoiled by helmsmanship. This is a car designed to be lived with for many years...

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MDarringer - 12/17/2017 12:00:22 PM

0 Boost

The Prius is a great automotive appliance and proves that hybrids do not need to be expensive, so why isn't hybridization more widespread?

vdiv - 12/17/2017 2:05:12 PM

+1 Boost

Because "widespread" people fear change, are cheap, worry about perception more than substance, are easily influenced by naysayers, etc.

There are markets where hybrids are doing quite well, thanks to HOV exemptions, but also because people value what the electrified drivetrain has to offer. Look at taxi cabs in Manhattan for example. It would be absurd to still drive a V8 Crown Vic. there.

MDarringer - 12/17/2017 3:15:08 PM

0 Boost

And yet...cabs did

TomM - 12/18/2017 5:50:42 AM

+5 Boost

1 - Hybrids are more expensive - and cannot be justified my fuel savings in any near term.
2 - Most Hybrids are small - have poor back seats - and have little or no trunk space for long trips. They are essentially two seaters.
3 - I HATE CVTs - they make any car they are in less desirable automatically. THey suck out of the car - any possible chances for performance.
4 - ANd that is the problem - they are simply APPLIANCES. BUT - for some reason - manufacturers style them to show up poorly - the Prius is UGLY and only gets worse every generation.

I have to admit that my current Company car - a Malibu Hybrid - is leagues better than the Fusion (First generation) Hybrid we had before them. IF I were looking for a car for my Mother - I might think that would be a good choice. However - you do have to be accustomed to driving a hybrid - and learning to accept no performance in exchange for the mileage. YES - there are high end manufacturers who have produced better performing Hybrids and eventually that will filter down to the lower end. But remember - the Malibu Hybrid I drive cost well over $40,000. At that price - I can actually buy a really nice Automobile instead of an appliance!

MDarringer - 12/18/2017 8:04:21 AM

-3 Boost

@TomM clearly--once again--you're not op to date. The cost gap between a Corolla and a Prius is negligible these days, so the slight difference in cost is quickly offset by MPG.

MrEE - 12/18/2017 8:52:25 PM

+1 Boost

Toyota Camry or Prius carry about a $3500 premium. The payback is the city MPG, which is close to double for the similar non-hybrid. The payback math is simple. Though for short term ownership (3 years), depression could kill the return. Better to start with a 3 year old over new.