Needless to say, Eugene is Priustown, USA. So it didn’t surprise me to see this new 2016 Prius in my neighborhood a couple of months ago. It was the first one I’ve seen close up. Which is a bit of a challenging undertaking.
Toyota has taken its task of making its cars more dynamic, inside and outside, quite seriously. It’s working quite well with the Corolla, but the Prius is going to be an acquired taste, if ever. I’m trying to be pragmatic, inasmuch as a lot of cars look a bit wild or goofy when new, but become more palatable with age. Will the Prius? Tha rear end is one of the wilder ones since GM’s 1959 cars. And look what collector items they have become.
I don’t blame Toyota for pushing the envelope. A substantial part of the bounteous Prius hate seems to have been its soap bar styling. No more.
Clearly, Toyota wanted to emphasize a more dynamic image with this generation Prius, and for good reason. it’s the first car to use Toyota’s new TNGA architecture/platform, which will also underpin the next Camry. To counter the complaints of dull handling, the Prius now has a double-wishbone rear suspension, and its steering and suspension tuning are set up to provide competitive and sporty handling. And all the reviews seem to acknowledge that it is much more of a driver’s car than before. So Toyota is responding to two areas of criticism.
Despite the added weight of the new rear suspension, the Prius has lost weight elsewhere, and weight roughly the same as before. Its aerodynamics have improved, and its Hybrid Synergy drive (HSD) has been substantially reworked to net the 10% efficiency gain that was the development goal.
The 1.8 L Atkinson Cycle four has been tweaked to reduce friction and improve breathing, so that it’s now capable of delivering up to 40% thermal efficiency, long a goal for engine developers, and once distant target. But the next frontier is 50%, and Honda has already said it’s going to find ways to achieve that, which would probably demand some way of converting engine/exhaust heat into energy.
Except for the low-end Prius 2, which keeps the cheaper NiMH battery pack, the rest of the Prius line has lithium batteries that are lighter. The Prius’ HSD electric motors/CVT has also been majorly revised, with new architecture and a20% reduction in friction. All this is of course in pursuit of those higher mileage numbers. The official EPA numbers are 54 city, 50 highway, 50 combined, and the lighter Prius Eco ups that to 58/53/56. Since the EPA changed the protocol for hybrids, an apple-to-apple comparison with its predecessor would show a 10% improvement.
The plug-in Prius Prime is scheduled to arrive later this year, and will have a 22 mile electric range and stay in pure EV mode for all of that, unlike the previous plug-in Prius.
Ok, so much for all of the good news. Now help yourself to hating on the styling (or otherwise) of the Prius, but with one caveat: we don’t disparage the owners of any cars; individually or as a group. There are a good number of Prius drivers among our readers, and crude stereotypes are inevitably flawed.
Geez, the Prius gets uglier with every generation.
Thought they were starting to add “normal” versions like the formation of The Prius Family(Ex: Prius C, etc.), but nope.
And back in the day, they called the Gremlin, Pacer and Aztek ugly… I’m a huge Toyota fan, but that thing looks like an origami nightmare made by Sloth from the Goonies.
No thanks, if I want 50+ mileage, rather have a Suzuki Swift/Geo Metro hatchback.
Here’s my answer when I don’t want to pay high gas prices… I park my classics and ride this classic:
1986 GT Pro Freestyle Tour… European orange, only 500 made… NO orange ones manufactured in USA. France only. 🙂
Plus, it’s good exercise.
The rear looks better than the front. It’s a LOT better looking than the Mirai, I’ll give it that. It’s a bit of an adjustment though. After all, the previous generation just looked like a subtle evolution of the generation before. It will probably look better in person.
Kudos to Toyota for trying to inject some excitement into their cars and taking some risks. It’s just interesting that the Hyundai Ioniq and new Chevrolet Volt have taken the basic Prius shape and yet used interior and exterior styling details similar to the rest of their brands’ lineups, rather than making them look radically different like this new Prius.
People said for years that a lot of hybrid buyers want to be conspicuous. While perhaps for some that may be the case, ultimately cars like the Prius attract a diverse spectrum of buyers. And you can compare Prius and Camry Hybrid sales and say, “Well, look at how the Prius outsells it… Clearly people want to advertise they have a hybrid”, but I would still beg to differ. The Prius is a well-sized hatchback, not too big, not too small… There’s not many cars in North America with a similar size and bodystyle. While it wouldn’t sell as well, I wonder how well a Prius-style, Prius-sized hatchback would sell with an internal combustion engine and no hybrid. Remember when “right-sized” hatchbacks roamed the country, like the Citation and Camry and Stanza?
Whatchoo, talking about, Willy?!
Don’t have to remind me about right sized hatchbacks… I’ve owned a few, and one on your list, an 83 Nissan Datsun Stanza 4 door hatchback.
That car was virtually indestructible.
The Camry and Stanza hatchys were a lot better looking than than fugly Prius joke in the article… The Citation, uh…
Well, I might quibble over “readily identifiable” versus “conspicuous.” The sales figures indicate buyers want it to be immediately clear that they’re driving a hybrid, not just a hybrid version of a Camry or Civic or whatever. I’m of the strong opinion that the success of the second- and third-gen Prius was that it hit a lot of “futuristic” buttons — it looked like something of a science fiction movie. I don’t know if the fourth-generation will manage that.
It’s not as eyebrow-raising if you see it close up, but something that I do think may be an issue commercially is that it’s a very cluttered design, to the point that it has almost a disruptive-camouflage effect on one’s perception of the actual shape. It takes some effort to try to pick out what it is — it’s quite odd in that respect.
I don’t think a non-hybrid Prius hatch would sell particularly well. I think that being a hybrid is still the principal selling point, although the fact that it’s a reasonably useful size and configuration certainly helps. (The latter ended up defeating the first-generation Honda Insight, which was packaged as pretty much only a solo commuter vehicle.)
I don’t think the styling is entirely motivated by “I’m Hybrid”; while Toyota was surely trying to be distinctive, they didn’t get its very competitive Cd of .24 by accident. And its needs a low drag figure in highway driving, where it is least efficient.
Compare to others:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Automobile_drag_coefficient
Well, yeah, but there are some versions of the latest Mercedes sedans that match or better that figure while looking much more orthodox. That strongly suggests that Toyota could have achieved similar aerodynamic drag performance with a three-box sedan profile if they had been so inclined. Comparing Prius sales with sales of the three-box Camry Hybrid, I can see why they’d rather not.
Trouble with 3-box layout is hybrid battery location. The Civic Hybrid can’t lower its rear seatback like the LX, thus reducing its utility.
To me it looks like the designers had been looking at the Honda Civic hatch, wishing they’d thought of it first, and then asking themselves “How far can we take that design language?” Okay guys, you’ve given us a car that looks like a next-generation Civic, and potentially erased the ‘frumpy Prius’ stereotype forever – but at what cost?
This design should have been a concept car that stayed on the motor show floor, or next to the dumpster.
I like thinking about the challenges the new styling will present to the campus radicals of the dystopian hell I’m living in right now when they try to place all their bumper stickers.
lol
We currently own a Gen III 2010 Prius, although I am in the midst of selling it. I always find the comments about the Prius quite interesting, especially since some of the strongest opinions are by those who really who little knowledge or experience with the cars. My wife and I are no where near what the stereotypical Prius driver is perceived to be. We were looking to replace her Honda Civic and we wanted another small fuel efficient car with a great reliability record. Driver room (both of us are tall) and cargo space were also very important. In the end, we chose the Prius because it met our needs with the least compromise. It had awesome mileage (about 50% better than our Civic over it’s lifetime), bullet proof reliability and semi comfortable leg room for me for long trips. Sure we could have bought a Corolla for less and probably didn’t make up the price difference in fuel savings. But the fact is the Corolla has a tiny trunk in comparison, the Prius was far better for driver comfort and leg room (it was pretty much the best small care I sat in), and now that were selling it, it’s worth more than if we would have bought the Corolla.
Ask my wife and she’ll say it was her best car ever and she’s still lamenting over the loss, but we needed a bigger car. I was hoping the new Gen IV would be released with a Prius V variant, but when it was released, it was just a little too out there styling wise for us. I can get over that for a daily driver, but when I sat in one, it wasn’t much different than a Gen III for space.
Ask me and I will tell you that my records show our Prius to be the lowest cost per mile car we’ve owned and it’s been problem free over the 100+ K miles we have on the car. For the record, our car averaged 4.9L /100 KM or 48 MPG US. That said, I never particularly enjoyed the drone from the ICE especially in the hills we have around here. The handling isn’t very engaging or performance oriented, certainly not on par with our old Civic, but for day to day driving it’s fine; I’ve certainly driven far far worse. It just doesn’t really inspire you to drive fast in the curves, but that’s kind of the point it never inspires speed. I also didn’t particularly care for the performance. While it’s actually more than fine when you put your foot into it, the noise from the engine and CVT grow tiresome, especially for a guy used to V8 engines. The throttle is so sluggish and the car lacks any really bottom end power, it makes it somewhat tiresome IMO to drive. I was hoping the new GEN iV would have a drivetrain with performance closer to that of the Camry hybrid, but it didn’t. It’s barely an improvement over the Gen III for acceleration.
In the end I still think the Prius is a great car, and I really think many people would be fine owning one and could even learn to love it, if the could get over their preconceived notions. I think Toyota really didn’t do any favours with this new styling, I know they are trying to present a less bland image, but I don’t think this is the answer. Honestly the overall shape is okay, but why did the have to put such god-awful details like weird lights and character lines. I think people are more willing to accept bland over weird.
Bill I have one too, same year 2010 Prius 5, I alleviate the sluggishness by having it in power mode 100% of the time. Its amazing how much of a difference it makes, and I still average about 48 mpg, I don’t baby it. I’ve got 60K on it now and plan to keep it for a while more.
Yes, power mode helps with the sluggishness, but it still does nothing for the droning ICE in the hills and when you accelerate. I just find that little 1.8L a little on the buzzy side. Just for reference, my MPG averages are from an area that gets extreme cold winter, which drops the MPG. Typically our car averaged 5.3- 5.4L/100km in the cold months, while the warm months would be 4.5-4.6L/ 100km (all mixed driving). Don’t get me wrong, it was a great car, it served us well, but despite my wife loving the car, I can’t say I was as passionate. It’s gone now though, sold it today to a new happy owner.
I like it!
Well,here they are mostly sold as taxis and government fleet cars, so I don’t really know why they have an image as a Eco-poseur car.
Styling is about as relevant to these as it was to Checker cabs!
I don’t know what the split is, but here they are generally driven by either serious commuters who appreciate their efficiency and capabilities, or they are rolling billboards for the mentally unstable to post their deepest thoughts on through the use of pithy bumper sticker mottos.
It looks like the victim of nuclear radiation after Fukushima disaster in the ocean, after the power plant dumped some water with radiation pollution.
The back of that car is inspired from the original Battlestar Galactia’s Cylons. The first time I saw it in silver, I uttered “By your command” and it has stuck. Perhaps forever.
I hadn’t yet seen a rear 3/4 view of the new car. From Paul’s fuzzy first photo, I thought it looked like it had been in a wreck.
Did Toyota’s designers even put in the effort? Or did they approach this project while drunk and/or under the influence?
Or were there technical issues (checksum mismatch, RAM/storage glitches) on the CAD workstations, resulting in the corruption of the project files?
I don’t know, but it’s an eyesore. The “Mirai” and the entire Lexus lineup is worse. I never cared for Toyota and the hype surrounding their cars, but I have to admit that from the ’90s up until approximately mid-2000s they made decent-looking cars.
This phenomena of ugly cars has infected the rest of the automotive industry. Chrysler’s Jeep Renegade/Cherokee/Ram ProMaster? Yuk! What were they thinking! GM’s Chevy Malibu? Doesn’t look like a Chevy at all, looks like rebadged Kia. Mercedes’ C/CLA/E/GLE/S-Class? I’m convinced that they’re a rebadged Kia or Hyundai.
I’ve got a 2010 model “5”, traded my 2007 Grand Cherokee Overland “Hemi” for it. 12 MPG vs the 48 I average, and I always have mine in “power mode” which is quite punchy. Its loaded even has leather, which I don’t think they offered any years since. I’ve owned this car longer than any other I have had, and will keep it for sometime. With the hatch and the back seats folded down my golden and lab fit in there nicely 🙂 Its been so reliable, which is amazing due to its complexity. Because I live close to work I fill up 9 gallons every 6 weeks. As to the new design, not too sure, but I see there is a 2017 Prius Prime which the styling looks much better.
Its really ugly. Perfect for people that hate cars, but if they must…
A few weeks ago I was in Phoenix for the U.L.C.S.and chanced upon a Prius Taxi just unloading , the Driver was a late 50’s Gent and I asked him how he liked it ~ he said he’s the owner of the Cab. Co. and has 53 of these cars and _one_ Mechanic , he loves them to death .
-Nate
We drove a Gen 3 for 90,000 miles. At 85,000 it began to use engine oil at the rate of 300 miles per quart. Traded for a top-of-the line Prius V. Same flinty ride, same huge road noise, same flat, hard seats, same skimpy legroom, same chintzy bumpers, same lousy steering, same peculiar brake feel, same big engine noise a constant companion. We said to Hell with it, the compromises are not worth a few MPG. They’re great on gas, I’ll give you that, but a nasty experience for driving long distances, and only just bearable for around town. The current “pre-wrecked” look is hardly an enticement, especially since the major shortcomings remain uncorrected. Many more comfortable and engaging vehicles are now on the market, often with surprisingly good fuel economy, and they don’t shout, “Hey, look at me, I’m green.”
The Prius V has lots more rear leg & headroom than the liftback, and seemed quieter & more comfortable, at the cost of lower MPG ratings.
We have Gen 3; it’s only noisy if you floor it; if you like to drive with a lead foot & want it quieter, then yes, buy something else. And 50+ MPG in town vs. low 30s is not “a few” MPG. This is why it’s popular with taxi companies.
Just a might overwrought…..drawing taillight inspiration from……
How many here have kids that were born in the early 80’s or are one of that generation? Remember the first Transformers? or have you seen the current ones from the films? It explains the styling. Kids that grew up then are now the decisionmakers in styling departments. You can see elements of this in many new cars but this Prius really shows it.
The stylists are thirtysomethings? I’d think they’re a bit older than that.
Toyota call it Iconic Styling. I have to ask, is this the first installation of an automotive bidet?
KJ in Oz
Well this one will be a quick comment to sum up the new Prius:
HIDEOUS.
if i was exposed to this, blindfolded and in a darkened room, i’d still know something was really really wrong. only the tires bear resemblance to anything that is generally acknowledged to be an automobile.
As I said in a post earlier above, I’m not sure how I feel about the styling of the 2016 Prius.
Personally, I am okay with the front. It looks to me like a cat which has lowered and flattened its face and squinted its eyes as it pushes forward against air resistance. It looks happy – it could be purring.
The side is okay but the rear….. hmm – that’s going to take a bit of getting used to. William Stopford sees it the other way around. Personal preference prevails I guess.
I’m still a bit surprised at the amount of hate for the styling. I’ve yet to really warm to it, but it’s actually quite consistent with design trends for very fast sports cars. The new McLaren 570s for example – all strong “character” lines and contrasting cut outs. I’m now inclined to think that the very strongly expressed dislike for the styling really is “Prius hate”. If this was a high performance sports car it’s styling would be considered acceptable by those who seem to consider it disgusting that a hybrid “appliance”, which represents the very opposite of what they think cars should be about, dares to dress in such dramatic clothing.
On another note, I don’t think the Prius should have looked like Hyundai’s Ioniq, which to me looks rather dull and largely a copy of Honda’s current design trends (which I’m not a huge fan of).
It is one thing to style a car so that it shows energy – it is another to discard good taste and to just throw concepts together that don’t work singularly or together. There is nothing about the exterior of this rolling vomit bag that works. For all of the talk of pandering to aerodynamics, this front end doesn’t work. Those under the bumper light areas are huge aero drag inducing areas. Having just closed mine off for an experiment on my own beater car, I increased gas mileage by 5% on the highway. Of course Toyoduh is not singular in its demerits here – the entire industry has useless aero pockets on cars that would have been better designed so that real world mileage would increase even if EPA results won’t.