Comments: 1-15, 16-30
Small rattle in the right side dash. At the first oil change service I asked the dealer to take a look at it. They could not recreate the rattle, but it has gone away since the service. Our first oil change/tire rotation service was free.
Otherwise the Prius has been trouble free.
Congratulations to Toyota for selling it's one millionth hybrid vehicle this month! This is by far the smartest car on the road. We have averaged 45 mpg in city/hwy driving and there are lots of steep hills where we live so I'm impressed with the mileage. Pure hwy driving averages 50+ mpg.
We sold a 2001 Subaru Outback Wagon which was averaging 22 mpg and have not noticed a significant difference in the amount of cargo we can haul with the Prius. The cargo room with the hatchback is impressive and the back seat has an amazing amount of legroom. I think it trumps most mid-sized cars for space.
I was concerned at the performance of the hybrid powertrain, but have been impressed with how much power it has when you need it. The electric motor has a good amount of torque and I can take off quickly or climb hills with a full load with no problems.
I have come to like the design of the Prius. I like the high seating, good view and spacious look of the interior. The controls took a little getting used to- but once you adapt you realize they are well planned out and easy to use. We were able to get all the safety features we wanted (VSC, ABS, Backup Camera, etc) by purchasing Package #2 and not forced to spend money on things we didn't want like Bluetooth and Navigation systems. The Auxiliary stereo input is great!
The Prius is very easy to drive- the power steering is light without being too light and climate controls work fast and quietly. I would like to have more options with the seat adjustments- the seats go back and forth, but not up and down. I would also like to have a little softer ride, but most cars today are riding more like sports cars than older models. Cornering is solid for a family car and the ride is quiet.
We paid $23K for this car and compared to other midsize models I felt like it was a bargain. Now that I have this car and look at other cars on the road, I wonder why other cars aren't as efficient since the technology is proven and available. 350 miles on 7 gallons of gas is phenomenal and I applaud Toyota for developing and marketing such an amazing product.
Smartest, maybe. Ugliest, definitely. It is absolutely vulgar looking outside. Maybe more people would drive hybrids if they made attractive-looking ones.
Yes, it's absolutely vulger looking on the outside, but have you seen the interior? I have, two of them in fact, one of the older sedan styles and a brand new one. On both, the interior was of worse quality than our base Dodge Neon, I can't believe that Toyota can get away with charging the amount of money they do for this low quality car. Also the performance was embarrassing, barely enough for city driving and probably a nightmare to drive on the freeway. The Ford Escape Hybrid is a much better option IN MY OPINION. It's far more utilitarian, more powerful and a higher quality product.
'350 miles on 7 gallons of gas is phenomenal'
Not really phenomenal is it? Most small to medium sized engined diesels will do that & more, and have much better performance.
And before anybody comments on how diesels have higher emissions than a Prius, I suggest you look at the new Mini diesel... reasonable performance, 60+mpg, and much lower emissions than a Prius!! (Still wouldn't want one though..LOL)
Just bought one and love it! It is quiet, reasonably comfortable, performs well in all conditions, and all the controls are extremely easy to use. We purchased the leather interior which is very attractive. For some reason the leather seats are vastly more comfortable than the fabric seats. And room -- it is endless!
Our other car is a Lexus LS 460 which offers a pretty high bar with which to compare! The Prius is certainly no Lexus, but -- for the money -- has no need to apologize. If all goes well, we'll be keeping this car for 10+ years.........
I agree - the Prius has nothing to apologize for when it comes to the interior. Mine is very clean and upscale, and has gotten many more positive reviews for its interior than anything comparable from Dodge or Chrysler.
The Prius doesn't look like other cars on the road, but is built to be totally functional and especially aerodynamic. I've grown to really like its looks and function.
I agree that a diesel engine could probably match its efficiency, but we were not able to find a diesel automobile that could match the reliability and price of the Prius.
Toyota has gotten consistent "outstanding" marks from Consumer Reports for the Prius's reliability. The Prius may not be for everyone, but it's a fantastic car for someone looking for function, reliability, efficiency, space and safety.
Test drove 2007 Prius with Package 2 tonight. Very impressed with ride. Never drove hybrid before. Concerned that the computer/control area may be a distraction when using it.
Mechanic said new battery pack will cost 1400.00. Is this the truth?
Friend who has one claims 55 mpg on highway driving about 120 miles round trip per day on mostly highway.
Why anyone would shell out for one of these vehicles is a mystery to me.
I borrowed one from a friend whilst my car was off the road and I have to say that the build was appalling sub-£8k hatchbacks like the clio look better inside!.
The outside, well I don't know what they were taking the day they thought that up.
I can't see much point too this car unless you are an eco maniac of some sort who seem to all be dropping their trousers at the moment fro the government.
I can understand people buying diesels in a way, but these hybrids are just crap! pure and simple when the battery pack eventually wears out, which it will! then the bill will be very expensive.
Nothing like that ever needs replacing on a 'normal' car.
I think things like this seem a good idea on paper, but they never truly work, all the complicated electronics etc. will go wrong eventually and then I wonder who will pay those kind of prices to fix them?
I think older cars are a better buy really even though you may have an initial outlay to pay to put right small faults they are much more robust than a lot of todays modern stuff.
When the battery pack wears out pal a regular car would need some maintenance too. I guess you're one of those guys I see on the road who don't maintain their cars and just keep on driving them till they die on bald tires. Any car will need at least 1500$ or so in repairs once they hit 200,000 miles. if not than the car will probably self destruct anyway passed 220K.
Actually pal! I meticulously maintain my cars.
I would never dream of making cars run dangerously and I was talking in pounds not dollars.
As I said there cheap pieces of badly made junk!
As many people are starting to find out.
The Toyota Prius was named highest in customer satisfaction for all vehicles by consumer reports. I would have trouble believing a piece of junk would garner that kind of praise.
I just bought a 2007 Prius (package 6). I am pleased with the pickup when merging on to the interstate and passing. It is comfortable with acceptable leg room for both front and back seat passengers.
I have 600 miles on the vehicle and am disappointed with the mileage. Although I didn't expect to achieve the published 51 highway and 60 city, I did expect better than 45 highway and 42 city.
Lead foot, a/c user.
Your Prius' mileage will improve after 1000 miles of break in. Our average increased almost 10 mpgs after we crossed 1000 miles.
Tomorrow my wife and I are purchasing the '07 Prius Touring (red) with Pkg#6 and a bunch of extras. I currently have a '00 Honda Accord EX-V6 with leather interior. I test drove a Prius and was not impressed with the get-up-and-go (a.k.a. positive acceleration) when merging on the highway. Fortunately I don't drive on the highway very often.
The interior is a bit smaller than the Accord. It is 3" narrower. The headroom is comparable, but the legroom is about 1" shorter than the Accord. Our other car is an Odyssey Touring minivan. If we need legroom, we'll take the van!
I know how to drive a car, and I know the Prius is not going to give me the same performance my 6-cylinder Sedan will. I understand that a car built with lightweight material will not "feel" like a luxury sedan. I'm not buying it for racing or impressing guests. If I want an exciting ride I'll hop on my sport bike. I'll only be taking the Prius to work and driving my kids to school every day.
The Prius has a number of safety and comfort features that make the Accord look and feel like a stone box. I feel better driving my kids in the Prius than in any midsize car.
I'm getting 18MPG right now in a car rated at 24MPG. I hope the Prius is able to provide at least 66% of the rated MPG. If so, I will save about $110.00 per month (don't know what that is in Pounds) in fuel.
The insurance is cheaper on the Prius because of the safety features and smaller engine size. I will be saving another $30 per month on insurance. That's about 1/2 of my car payment!
I have to believe that this type of car is the future. It is one of the many sensible things we, as an industrialized nation, can do for our environment. I just wish the American auto manufacturers would step up to the plate and introduce an American built product like this one.
I just test drove the car today. I like the fact that it's completely made in Japan, anyone who has seen the Japanese work ethic will understand. I have not bought one yet, however, I am seriously considering. It is so amusing reading the comments of how ugly the car is. Who cares with consideration to the MPG? I seriously thought that the pick up and go was going to be sluggish with the whole hybrid aspect, but actually it was very zippy. I took it over some very rough highway and it took it quite well. True, once you look at the controls they are a bit strange, but after you see them for just a short while they are designed quite well. As far as replacing the battery, too funny about they previous comment on the person posting the the comment that it will be costly. LOL, listen bro it has a 10 year warranty, and if you think that that a few grand (as it is right now in the infantile state of this technology) is pricey on maintaining a vehicle then that is truly funny! All I have to say is remove yourself from the ghetto and join the real world of car maintenance, even if you are the do-it-yourselfer.
I have been looking at other hybrids, but none as promising as the Prius. This B one fine Hoopty! I have been told that the window MPG differs from actual, any owners have a comment? How about this adding the oil thing as posted in the owner's man. and the actual fact? Thanks!