2016 Toyota Prius (photos, specifications, Cd 0.24)

[NeilBlanchard]

A week from tomorrow we should know some details - the MPG, the EV range and battery capacity, the Cd, the price. I am also hoping to see the buttress for the shifter go away completely, as it limits leg space.

[RedDevil]

Originally Posted by niky

I can fully dig looking different. No problems there.

It's just that elements of the design don't work very well.

Toyota has been on a design bonanza these past few years. Some of the wacky stuff they're doing works. Some of it, not so much.

You don't say...!

The Prius was styled by the same factory as this:


'Hey Luke, I am your father!'

[gone-ot]

Did anybody ELSE notice how 'small' the actual rear hatch-window area is that's NOT blacked out...the actual usable viewable area?

[Daox]

That isn't uncommon for the Prius. I think it looks much larger due to the blacked out rear pillars.

[gone-ot]

I'm referring to the three (3) concentric blackouts visible on the upper window:

1) large outer black
2) smaller silver'sh
3) small inner black

making actual 'open' area far smaller than on GenIII, especially at the top, adjacent the roofline.

[redpoint5]

As long as the Cd isn't worse, or the usable passenger space decreased, I approve of the design. The car mostly adopts the form follows function design principle, and the fact that it still remains aesthetically acceptable to most people is quite the accomplishment. Most cars are designed with a function follows form principle, which is how we end up with Escalades and PT Cruisers.

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Did anybody ELSE notice how 'small' the actual rear hatch-window area is that's NOT blacked out...the actual usable viewable area?

It's purposely small to limit the driver's ability to see the angry tailgaters following dangerously close behind.

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

I am also hoping to see the buttress for the shifter go away completely, as it limits leg space.

I like the flying buttress and am 6'2" tall. I feel that the space is more usable since the underside tray can hold many items, and mostly conceal them from the outside view. If I leave my phone in there, I'm reasonably confident that people won't see it and then be tempted to break in.

[Vman455]

Originally Posted by redpoint5

I like the flying buttress and am 6'2" tall. I feel that the space is more usable since the underside tray can hold many items, and mostly conceal them from the outside view. If I leave my phone in there, I'm reasonably confident that people won't see it and then be tempted to break in.

Me too--I told Toyota as much when they sent their little survey.

I can't say I like the looks, and I don't think this will age nearly as well as the Gen2 and 3 cars, and I'm not buying one, but I still wish they could have made it prettier than the mishmash of lines and weird headlight drips. I'm surprised it looks so different than the current corporate Toyota face.

[NeilBlanchard]

The open space under the buttress is fine, though it is hard to see anything in it, from the driver's seat. It prevents me from bending my knee to the side to fit better, or just to change position. I do fit, and my leg rests against it. My son and my brother both are ~6'-6" and all/most of that is in their upper legs. They have no chance in fitting in the gen 3 driver's seat; while the gen 2 is fine.

They both like the i MiEV - and their ultimate choice is the BMW i3; which has no center console at all.

We'll see the gen 4 Prius next Tuesday, the 8th of September.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Old Tele man

Did anybody ELSE notice how 'small' the actual rear hatch-window area is that's NOT blacked out...the actual usable viewable area?

That sounds like an excuse for having a rearview camera

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

The open space under the buttress is fine, though it is hard to see anything in it, from the driver's seat. It prevents me from bending my knee to the side to fit better, or just to change position.

They both like the i MiEV - and their ultimate choice is the BMW i3; which has no center console at all.

The biggest comfort complaints I have is the telescoping steering wheel doesn't adjust out far enough. In fact, it barely has any range of movement at all. Also, the arm wrests are at heights and don't have enough padding. That said, I've been on 2500 mile road trips and found the comfort to be acceptable. Having Bluetooth makes it easy to listen to audio books and Pandora, which goes a long way towards "comfort".

I too have my eye on the BMW i3. Maybe there will be good deals on them in 3 years in the used market. The fact that a 2013 Leaf can be had for $10k is also tempting. If only I can find one that has a reconstructed title so I can get another 30% off the price...