2023 Toyota Prius - WOW!

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by JSH

I've said it before but not that Toyota has a hybrid version of pretty much every car they make I don't see the point of the Prius. The Camry Hybrid has 10% more passenger room, is rated for 52 mpg combined, and only costs $1K more. (It has a lot more rear passenger room vs the Prius.) On the other hand the smaller Prius saves the owner $2 a week in fuel.

I've said it before, but I don't care how much room people getting a free ride in the back have. I would care if I drove Uber, however.

The selling point of the Prius is the massive hatch space. I can fit more into a Prius than a RAV4.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I've said it before, but I don't care how much room people getting a free ride in the back have. I would care if I drove Uber, however.

Yes, you have said that many times. On the other hand I do care about the comfort of the adult friends and family that ride in my backseat. Just as I care about my personal comfort when I ride in the back seat of their vehicle. We tend to take turns driving so in the grand scheme of things nobody is getting a free ride.

Originally Posted by redpoint5

The selling point of the Prius is the massive hatch space. I can fit more into a Prius than a RAV4.

That must be some feat. Prius cargo area = 24 sq ft. RAV4 cargo area 37.5 sq ft behind the 2nd row.

It was easier to load my Prius vs a sedan due to the large hatch but the steep slope of the hatch limits real world cargo capacity. I never found the Prius nearly as usable as a wagon for carrying cargo. (A RAV4 is just a wagon on stilts)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by JSH

I never found the Prius nearly as usable as a wagon for carrying cargo. (A RAV4 is just a wagon on stilts)

I think the distance to the 2nd row is further in the Prius, and might even be further to the front seats with the 2nd row folded flat. I didn't measure it to confirm, merely examined a RAV4 once and my impression was it was smaller.

[JSH]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I think the distance to the 2nd row is further in the Prius, and might even be further to the front seats with the 2nd row folded flat. I didn't measure it to confirm, merely examined a RAV4 once and my impression was it was smaller.

I trust measurements more than impressions.

The RAV4 cargo area is 40 inches deep, 39.5 inches wide between the wheel-wells and the hatch opening is 37 inches tall. Seats folded there is 73 inches to the rear of the center console.

The Prius cargo area is 26 inches deep, 38.5 inches wide between the wheel wells, and the hatch opening is 24.5 inches tall. Rear seats folded the floor is 60 inches long. 68 inches to the back of the center console. (Or so say the good people over at PriusChat)

[Hersbird]

There have been big changes in the size of the Rav4 over the years. I'd bet the original back in the 90s was pretty small in back.

I would actually buy the Crown over the Prius. I want the hybrid and the AWD, but also want a nice roomy sedan.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by JSH

I've said it before but not that Toyota has a hybrid version of pretty much every car they make I don't see the point of the Prius.

Well, I'd choose a hatchback over a trunk every time.

And I don't want a hatchback on stilts (RAV), with the accompanying aero & stability drawbacks.

Styling is subjective of course, but I think Prius is now the nicest looking vehicle in Toyota's fleet.

[MetroMPG]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

Why do you think that is? Petrol is pretty expensive per liter there...

I think it had to do with the relative pricing of the Prius - it was much more expensive here compared to the States, even after accounting for currency differences.

Yup. Just checked, and CAD base MSRP in 2007:

$31,280 CAD - Prius
$31,900 CAD - Camry hybrid

$22,175 USD was the Prius' U.S. base MSRP. And in 2007, the CAD & USD were nearly at par at various points that year.

Why Toyota Canada hobbled Prius sales with premium pricing, I have no idea. But the result was they were/are somewhat rare here compared to the US.

[Phase]

New Prius has way more leg and head room than my Ioniq hybrid. And that’s with the new Prius being smaller lol

Just need to wait for dealerships to stop gouging way above msrp so I can nab a white awd le prius. So easy to eco mod with smaller wheels and flat wheel covers and then extend cavity fins in the rear. Looks like an easy roof line to boat tail also. I’m curious to how easy side mirror removal is. Toyotas are harder than my Ioniq for sure

[JSH]

Originally Posted by Hersbird

I would actually buy the Crown over the Prius. I want the hybrid and the AWD, but also want a nice roomy sedan.

I have my eye on the Crown Sigma - AKA Crown Estate in other parts of the world.

Slightly lifted hybrid wagon with AWD. Essentially a more reliable, larger and more fuel efficient version of the VW Alltrack. It shares a platform with the Camry, RAV4, Highlander, and Sienna. Unfortunately it is expected to be priced to start about $45,000 - so I will not be buying one. I can't image a Crown will depreciate into my price range before they are 10 years old.

I'm not sure what the flip up panels when the rear seats are folded are for. I guess they would protect the faux leather seats from objects in the cargo area? Toyota says they are to extend the rear loading floor to 6.5 feet but that is obviously only if the front seats are all the way forward. I can't see too many people buying $45,000 - $55,000 wagons with the plan to sleep in the back.

[freebeard]

I walked through the Toyota lot on the way home and found the first 2023 Prius I've seen.

It was $34K and had a sticker in the window saying 'no warranty, as is'.