Fourth gen (2016) Toyota Prius
#316
Pole Position
Yea the Prius is ugly but no one can deny the new one has character. Sure the Ioniq and Volt is prettier, but I bet most people will forget it or lose it in a parking lot. There's just something unique about the current gens styling that both promotes controversy and can't help but have a little smirk on my face at the same time while looking at it.
#317
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
The faults of LiIon batteries still outweigh the benefits of NiMH batteries.
Yea the Prius is ugly but no one can deny the new one has character. Sure the Ioniq and Volt is prettier, but I bet most people will forget it or lose it in a parking lot. There's just something unique about the current gens styling that both promotes controversy and can't help but have a little smirk on my face at the same time while looking at it.
#318
Lexus Test Driver
It's really sad anyone would waste time talking about this car and it's technical achievements. All talk should have ended the day it debuted, as nothing can trump or negate the ugliness. If a nugget of gold was encased in excrement, but that excrement could not be removed, would you take that piece of gold anyway? Unlikely. For those who will sadly be able to look beyond the horrid body shell (and there will be many innocent takers who don't know about basic aesthetics), I will have no pity for them on the road or in parking lots. How rude of them to dirty up our streets with this shocking piece of trash.
#320
Lexus Fanatic
It's really sad anyone would waste time talking about this car and it's technical achievements. All talk should have ended the day it debuted, as nothing can trump or negate the ugliness. If a nugget of gold was encased in excrement, but that excrement could not be removed, would you take that piece of gold anyway? Unlikely. For those who will sadly be able to look beyond the horrid body shell (and there will be many innocent takers who don't know about basic aesthetics), I will have no pity for them on the road or in parking lots. How rude of them to dirty up our streets with this shocking piece of trash.
#321
Lexus Test Driver
#322
Lexus Test Driver
I'm here late but yeah, the elitist tone is ridiculous. Not everyone has to drive something with a flat-plane V8 to be a good driver who enjoys driving. Gas and car taxes in most parts of the world are higher than in the US so a cheap, reliable, fuel-efficient car makes sense. I'd also put more trust in a Prius than a GM or VW Group hybrid, especially the turbo-DSG plugin hybrids that Audi and VW are launching.
As for the styling, I'm glad Toyota has the guts to try something new. Check out the Toyota Harrier and Lexus RX, both based on the same platform - they don't look the same any more but each design is aggressive and polarizing in its own way.
As for the styling, I'm glad Toyota has the guts to try something new. Check out the Toyota Harrier and Lexus RX, both based on the same platform - they don't look the same any more but each design is aggressive and polarizing in its own way.
#323
Lexus Fanatic
Originally Posted by Fizzboy
Sorry about that. I take my driving very seriously.
Originally Posted by chromedome
Not everyone has to drive something with a flat-plane V8 to be a good driver who enjoys driving.
On the other hand, I also agree that so-called driving "enjoyment" is too often presented as speeding (often too fast for road/traffic conditions, high-G canyon-carving corners, instant steering response, rock-stiff suspensions/tires, super-bolsterd seats, a sense of aggressiveness, and the general idea that "The road belongs to me....**** everybody else." I certainly don't agree with that view....never did.
#324
Pole Position
Oh come on now, nothing is comparable to the Aztek. Let's not even go there! That was at the height of GM arrogance and incompetence.
#325
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.VpPaMFnQQRk
http://www.aztekfanclub.com/
#326
Pole Position
lol, even the aztek has fans and a forum.
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.VpPaMFnQQRk
http://www.aztekfanclub.com/
http://content.usatoday.com/communit...1#.VpPaMFnQQRk
http://www.aztekfanclub.com/
#327
Pole Position
Quick review / test drive of new Prius
Was considering the new Prius to replace our RAV4 (i know, go ahead and laugh :X), so went to look and test drove the new one today.
TL;DR: Much, much improved handling and all around better package, but the styling choices inside and (especially) outside makes it very polarizing.
- Externally : Front isn't bad in person, but the rear is just way overdone (in a bad away). Too many incongruent angles, unnecessary body panels, etc. I think Toyco was trying a little too hard to be different.
- Internally : Much, much better than the older gen, with better materials all around. Glad there is no stupid green LED screens either (that was annoying imho, even if it was done for legibility purposes). However, why did they slap on a white middle cup holder console on ALL the trims? It just doesn't much at all. Some of the vents have a blue outline as well, with nothing else matching it. I did like the "cool grey" / white interior combo (on the Prius III / IV package).
- Driving impressions : It is light years better than the older Prius (which isn't saying much, I know). Power has sufficient pickup even for quick freeway merges (moreso than the RAV Hybrid I drove afterwards). Handling was a world's apart than the older model. I did a decreasing radius freeway loop at a good rate of acceleration and it handled it like a champ.
- Overall : Loved the new TNGA platform and can't wait until it proliferates to all the other Toyco cars. With a price around $27k for a II package, materials are finally decent....BUT that styling is just a bit too much. Let's see how it does with more "traditional" Prius buyers....
TL;DR: Much, much improved handling and all around better package, but the styling choices inside and (especially) outside makes it very polarizing.
- Externally : Front isn't bad in person, but the rear is just way overdone (in a bad away). Too many incongruent angles, unnecessary body panels, etc. I think Toyco was trying a little too hard to be different.
- Internally : Much, much better than the older gen, with better materials all around. Glad there is no stupid green LED screens either (that was annoying imho, even if it was done for legibility purposes). However, why did they slap on a white middle cup holder console on ALL the trims? It just doesn't much at all. Some of the vents have a blue outline as well, with nothing else matching it. I did like the "cool grey" / white interior combo (on the Prius III / IV package).
- Driving impressions : It is light years better than the older Prius (which isn't saying much, I know). Power has sufficient pickup even for quick freeway merges (moreso than the RAV Hybrid I drove afterwards). Handling was a world's apart than the older model. I did a decreasing radius freeway loop at a good rate of acceleration and it handled it like a champ.
- Overall : Loved the new TNGA platform and can't wait until it proliferates to all the other Toyco cars. With a price around $27k for a II package, materials are finally decent....BUT that styling is just a bit too much. Let's see how it does with more "traditional" Prius buyers....
#328
Lexus Fanatic
Sure Does.
Years ago, right after my then-supervisor retired, I was helping him shop for a new GMC Yukon XL (or Suburban). We were at a local Pontiac/GMC shop, checking out a silver XL, when a young couple drove in, spotted a while Aztek on the lot, walked up to it, looked it over, took it out on a test-drive with one of the salespeople, and fell in love with it.....right there. They took it home that afternoon.
(Oh, and my ex-boss also took home that new Yukon XL).
Not from me, you won't hear any laughing. Although some people do buy more (or less) vehicle than they actually need, or is practical for them, I'm a firm believer in showing respect for one's buying decision. Most people I know are satisfied with their buying decisions, but there have been a few exceptions....and it's important for buyers to know what their options and choices are before signing on the dotted line.
Years ago, right after my then-supervisor retired, I was helping him shop for a new GMC Yukon XL (or Suburban). We were at a local Pontiac/GMC shop, checking out a silver XL, when a young couple drove in, spotted a while Aztek on the lot, walked up to it, looked it over, took it out on a test-drive with one of the salespeople, and fell in love with it.....right there. They took it home that afternoon.
(Oh, and my ex-boss also took home that new Yukon XL).
Originally Posted by ST430
Was considering the new Prius to replace our RAV4 (I know, go ahead and laugh), so went to look and test drove the new one today.
Last edited by mmarshall; 01-15-16 at 06:52 PM.
#330
Lexus Champion