spwolf

right, but thats only if you drive mostly on the highway. In the city driving, difference is more like double towards Prius. Which is what Europeans do a lot. When you mix it up, there is no way current large car diesel can reach petrol hybrid consumption.

Even under highway driving, Prius will get at least 10% better mpg than old pumpe diesels in current VW's, that are also slower than Prius.

My new Rav4 is diesel... spends almost no fuel at all :-). I will probably be able to get 35mpg without any problems with it (I get 50mpg in prius without any problems either). Goes fast too... My main complaint with it is that it is noisy, especially after Prius. It is very noisy, despite being latest generation, high tech all aluminium diesel engine. You see when they enlarge pressures in common rail, noise is also higher (think GS300 noise multiplied by 10). New VW diesels are even noiser.

So my problem with diesel isnt really consumption. Its quite good. 35mpg average for Europe is awesome for SUV (at least 10 mpg more than slower 4cly engine). It is fast enough too, new gen diesels like to rev a lot more than old iron block ones. But the noise... I would pay gladly extra 2k for Hybrid version of Rav4, for more performance, slightly more MPG, and a LOT quieter car. You already pay around 2k more for diesel vs petrol versions.

I dont see any problems with gen 3 Prius pricing. I actually think it will be slightly lower than before, but in more luxurious, economical and sporty package.

xravexboix

If the Li-Ion battery will run the price too high, then it may become a LEXUS option =P

You've seen the Landcruiser/LX

You've seen the Camry/ES (admit it! It's a REALLY cush camry =P)

You've seen the 4Runner/GX (sort of stretching it now)

You've seen the Highlander/RX (now I'm REALLY stretching it =P)

Prepare yourself.

*Unveils the new Lexus*

The Lexus PS200h.

A "Pollution-reducing Solution" that has the power of a 2.0L engine! Another Lexus first! A Lithium Ion battery powered hybrid capable of over 100 MPG! Amazing? Yes! Will it hit the EPA estimate? Probably not, but who cares! It's a LEXUS.

Hahahaha... all jokes aside, Toyota may be developing this to counter GM's "Corn Fuel" (What's it called again?). This morning, I saw a commercial for the 'corn-powered' vehicles from GM... I guess the next Prius will have to step up if the public starts looking into the 'corn-powered' cars.

toy4two

Not in real life, its more like 41-45MPG according to AutoWeek long term test. That old EPA test is going to KILL hybrid economy claims next year.

cal_alum98

Doesn't matter if you're stuck in rush hour traffic. The Prius lets me drive in the carpool (HOV) lane without any passengers. The fun part is waving to all the people slogging through bumper-to-bumper traffic while I cruise by at 65mph.

STIG

I m going to local toyota dealer here in berkeley for putting deposit for the next Prius(if they let me). I am serious.

XeroK00L

Haha, I'm not surprised at all given you're in Berkeley. Prius is so all over the streets of that snobbish liberal town.

STIG

only here, you will see 9102109839249328490 Prius a day! It's crazy! they hate my IS350 that gets 20MPG. I need to get one to join the trend with these profs.

LexFather

The current Prius is the greatest hybrid ever made. I told ya'll last year, the biggest obstable to current hybrids is the batteries.
I know the next RXh will use the new batteries for more power and more efficiency.

I've said it again and again, this is JUST the BEGININING!! Hybrids will continue to get more efficient and we will also get more performance and packaging will get better as batteries get smaller.

Toyota is just on some next level stuff right now

xioix

Depends on what they travel mostly, 60mpg for city (some have gotten and beaten that on priuschat) and 50mpg hwy where most get that or pretty close to that on priuschat

Gojirra99

113 mpg in Imperial gallons = 94 mpg in American gallons BTW . . .

Milla...

Thats all great and woot te doop and all but if the things are priced over what the current ones run than is there really any benefit even if the thing gets 150 mpg in real life driving? Change comes in numbers and if a great majority can't afford the car then its pointless IMO. They would really be doing something if they made the car more accessible economically otherwise Toyota you're not impressing me, in fact your frustrating most folks. It looks more like bragging rights more than anything to me. Until everyone jumps on board and produce more hybrids and create some real competition and bring these prices down color me unimpressed.

Trexus

WTF is an imperial gallon? Is that part of the metric system? I wish the whole world used one system preferrably the metric system, it only makes sense.

mmarshall

Imperial gallons are of British origin and are used in Canada. One Imperial gallon is a little more than a U.S. gallon.

Here are the official stats:

http://www.sizes.com/units/gallon_imperial.htm

mmarshall

In Berkeley the Prius serves as the perfect stepdown vehicle. You can't give up your SUV and start riding bicycles all at once....got to do it in steps.

Gojirra99

No, Imperial gallon = British gallon, not metric system.