Fourth gen (2016) Toyota Prius
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 261
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....
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 20,212
Likes: 261
thats good to hear... i still have not had a chance since they will be released late next month here in my part of Europe, official pricing is still not out while Rav4 Hybrid already started selling.
Lead Lap
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 4,664
Likes: 18
From: TX
Sorry if someone said this already, but I haven't read all the posts. Does anyone see that Lexus is whoring out their taillight treatments from their flagship model, LC500? See the vertical lights? Seems like they are bleeding over into the Toyota family. I know. Two totally different cars, but it's too similar to be a coincidence.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 68,075
Likes: 3,870
From: Maryland
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 94,223
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Thread Starter
Lexus Champion
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 3,018
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From: CA™
Introducing the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius. Designed and engineered with an edge. And when four bumbling buddies choose the all-new Prius as their getaway car, they discover that it's much more than just a comfortable ride wired with innovative safety technology — its power and performance are enough to turn any drive into an event worth sharing with the entire world.
