Would YOU Ever Sacrifice LOOKS For MPGs?

Over the past week, I've been wheelin' and dealin' in a Toyota Prius Prime. And, to be straightforward, I just can't wrap my head around one thing.

What the hell happened to the design of the Toyota Prius? From the inside out, it is just not nearly as clean and smart looking as the third-generation Prius was.

Now it is just a mish mash of lines, corny styling treatments and an expanse of awful plastic on the interior. And the painted white trim on the inside screams first-gen Chevrolet Volt. Oh, how the mighty have fallen! Not to mention how rubbish the all-new, large screen looks during the day.

But, at least there's one thing the Prius Prime delivers. That, my friends, is a lot of MPGs. Without leveraging the battery of the Prius Prime, I chalked up 59 MPG on my way home from my Manhattan office. In addition, after spending quite a bit of time with the vehicle, I netted 55 mpg without even trying.

Regardless of what you may think, those are quite lofty numbers.

This got me thinking: Would YOU ever sacrifice LOOKS for MPGs?

What say you, Spies?

TheSteve - 8/23/2018 2:11:04 AM

0 Boost

It depends very much on the degree of the "sacrifice." I don't think in extremist terms, such as wanting the best-looking car regardless of MPG, nor the best MPG regardless of the look or other functionality, like comfort, ergonomics, AWD, hauling capacity, design, etc.

So for me, I want it all: Great looks (though possibly not the absolute best), good MPG (though not the highest), and so on.

valhallakey - 8/24/2018 12:24:01 AM

+2 Boost

And of course beauty is in the eye of the beholder. But overall agree with those sentiments, unless... gas was like $20/gal. Then I will break down and look fugly to get better MPG.

TheSteve - 8/24/2018 3:37:52 AM

+1 Boost

@valhallakey: +1 :-)

PUGPROUD - 8/23/2018 5:51:30 AM

+1 Boost

Let's face it, some of these new high mileage small cars are just so damn ugly I could not see myself in many. I would take a Suzuki over a Prius whatever the MPG. One of my sons just got a Civic Type R and it is a fantastic driving and handling car living up to all the hype. When I'm driving it I want one badly but when looking at its exterior its no way at my age would I buy it. Looks matter, plain and simple to most car enthusiasts. You are what you drive.

TomM - 8/23/2018 6:29:59 AM

+1 Boost

THis question depends on your point of view - what is a good looking car.

If your idea of a good looking car is a Ferrari - then every other TYPE of car would not look good to you. If you can look at a car for the type of car it is - and compare it IN ITS CLASS and price range - then there are many good looking cars compared to others.

At our company - we initially chose the Ford Fusion Hybrid over the Prius although I admit neither were particularly good looking - the Ford was much better than the Toyota. When we updated out company traveler - we chose the Chevrolet Malibu - which is actually decent looking. However - we still were choosing among Hybrid cars for their green quotient. (Later the new Honda Accord Hybrid and Camry Hybrids could have entered the competition - but at least the Camry is hideous)

THere is a difference when you are choosing a car as a transportation appliance - and when you are choosing a personal car to represent you.

carloslassiter - 8/23/2018 6:40:33 AM

+1 Boost

I don't drive enough to make mileage a prime consideration, so no.

t_bone - 8/23/2018 6:55:24 AM

+3 Boost

I had an ugly commercial van, but I never minded or paid attention to it.

It's the intentional and functionless ugliness of these new vehicles that gets to me.

MDarringer - 8/23/2018 8:14:30 AM

+3 Boost

The Prius set in motion the idea that highly efficient cars has to be hideous rolling nightmares. A number of hybrids have failed to gain traction against the Prius because the greener-than-thou types want you to know they are saving the planet and that they are better than you.

So, for me, I don't know what is the greater turn off: the ugly styling or the arrogance of the owners.

Beyond that, however, modern cars get sufficient MPG. Large crossovers could be better sure, but even then it's not so bad that buying a Prius is the answer.

Hawk - 8/23/2018 8:24:04 AM

+3 Boost

Nope.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/23/2018 8:46:06 AM

0 Boost

@AgentOOR I am glad you got what the Prius promises - MPG's. Most owners love the car, think driving it is both a science experiment and an adventure in a spaceship. I am sure those who drive the Fuel Cell Mirai from Toyota also feel the same. The exterior is done with a purpose and it has one of the lowest CD's in the entire automotive marketplace at an amazing .24. I would be happy to have one as a 2nd car.

MDarringer - 8/23/2018 8:52:06 AM

+1 Boost

My point proven.

CANADIANCOMMENTS - 8/23/2018 9:47:38 AM

+1 Boost

@MD Actually you think you OPINION was validated. But you seem to hate for no reason other than to hate. The Prius and other hybrid and BEV's are moving the industry forward, like it or not. Your claim that current MPG's are "sufficient" is not warranted or factual in light of the growing concerns about climate change and the US now backsliding on coal. Toyota, Telsa, GM and Nissan are trying to help the planet with the most modern of vehicles. And I am glad that finally others will soon do the same.

atc98092 - 8/23/2018 10:33:23 AM

+2 Boost

My daughter and son-in-law wanted a hybrid for their next car. Looked at the Prius, but between the price and the looks, couldn't accept it. They got the Hyundai Ionic, and have very happy with it. Averaging 56 MPG with both of them being lead foots, so economy is exceeding expectations. And it's a nice car to drive as well.

MDarringer - 8/23/2018 8:02:43 PM

-1 Boost

My point proven yet again.

supermoto - 8/23/2018 1:04:24 PM

0 Boost

I drive about 2k miles per year since I walk to work. So MPG is irrelevant. Looks, performance and luxury are everything.

macbjg - 8/23/2018 1:43:21 PM

+3 Boost

no. no. and, no.

Tiberius1701A - 8/23/2018 5:37:36 PM

+2 Boost

What macbjg said x1000.

Tiberius1701A - 8/23/2018 5:37:46 PM

+2 Boost

What macbjg said x1000.

zlives - 8/23/2018 6:36:59 PM

+2 Boost

no