2024 Toyota Prius

While sharp looking, not as good as prior models.

Monday, August 19, 2024

I have now owned 7 Priuses. I generally trade them in every 20-40,000 miles. While this latest generation Five is by far the best looking of them all, it does have some drawbacks when compared to the generation Four which I have to say has been my favorite so far. The biggest negatives for me are the drop in MPG, and smaller cargo space for the XLE and Limited models. I bought the XLE and wish I had simply gotten the LE with its better MPG and trunk space, but at the time of purchase I wasn’t aware of the difference in models since this was never really an issue in previous generations. Shame on me for not being more educated. I do a lot of interstate long distance driving and only get decent mpg on this version if I stick to around 60 mph. Once you approach 70 mph or higher, your mpg stops dramatically. I had gotten used to 56 mpg on my previous models, and now am lucky to get 52. Generally, it’s closer to 48/50. As a loyal Prius driver I was always more focused on fuel efficiency, so while the snazzy look is cool, it’s not worth the drop in mpg and cargo space.

Great Little Car

Tuesday, December 12, 2023

I previously owned a 2017 Prime and now have the XLE trim, and let me tell you, it's a significantly better vehicle than the prior generation. Many YouTube reviewers complained about the CVT noise, which is understandable given their lack of experience with the CVT gearbox. Needless to say, it's not as annoying as they claim. Power is adequate. It has a slew of standard safety features. If you are over 6 feet tall, this car may not be for you. It sits very low, so getting into and out of it may be challenging. Initial mpg is in the mid-30's, but I heard from other owners and the dealer that it will improve once the engine break-in is achieved (around 1K miles or so). My only criticism is the limited visibility from the back hatch window, which isn't a big concern once you get used to it. Overall, a very nice and sleek vehicle.

The Best Prius Yet

Saturday, March 30, 2024

I've owned a 2023 Prius XLE for about nine months now, and love it. My previous car was a 2011 Prius, so I'm very familiar with the Prius model. I think the best thing I can say is that anything that was a negative in prior Priuses is gone. The new Prius is way more stylish and sporty - props to Toyota for re-designing it. The major drawback of the new design is that the new Prius has noticeably less space. I used to be able to haul items in my old Prius (crowning achievement was the time I brought home a 65" TV from the store) -- that ain't happening in this new version. But you gotta break some eggs if you want an omelet. The drive ... yeah, there's no comparison. The new Prius has plenty of pep. You' won't need a sundial to time getting up to highway speeds, unlike older models. The interior is well-designed. I've seen other reviews mention the lack of head space ... well, I'm 6'3", and I have no problem fitting in the driver's seat. (Not sure how much time I'd want to spend in the back row though.) I like the instrument cluster and the touch screen. Fuel efficiency seems to be a touch less on this model (in fairness though: (a) I have the AWD model, which lowers the MPG a bit, and (b) most of my driving these days is short hops near my home, so the car barely gets warm before I am shutting it off). You won't be spending much time at the gas pump. Overall, I highly recommend this car.