Question:
what car is as good as the prius?
anonymous
1970-01-01 00:00:00 UTC
what car is as good as the prius?
Five answers:
JerryJ
2011-01-27 02:50:03 UTC
It's hard to beat the Prius. My 2004 has cost 12 cents per mile for dealer maintenance, tires, and fuel combined over the 115,000 miles I've driven it according to the log book I keep.



To cover your points:



1 & 3. Lifetime average has been 57 mpg over 115,000 miles.



2003-2004 -- 50.8 mpg 17,628 miles

2005 -- 52.6 mpg 14,688 miles

2006 -- 56.3 mpg 16174 miles

2007 -- 57.3 mpg 18384 miles

2008 -- 59.9 mpg 21755 miles

2009 -- 61.4 mpg 16177 miles

2010 -- 65.2 mpg 12134 miles



2. MPG on trips is good. It's hard to get under 50 mpg. on a trip. Here's data from my last trip.



Date________ODO_____INC____MPG (l/100km)

08/13/10____111690____625____59.8 (3.9)

08/14/10____112308____618____60.0 (3.9)

08/20/10____112972____663____64.2 (3.7)

08/22/10____113411____438____58.9 (4.0)

08/31/10____113922____510____61.8 (4.0)





4. It's roomy because it's a mid-sized car and holds four full-sized adults.



5. The insurance is about $500 per year in a big city, but then insurance is mostly about the driver unless you're driving an exotic. It's been totally reliable and trouble-free. The only car that should even come close is the Nissan Leaf, and it's not under $25,000, plus it won't work for long trips.



6. The base models are under $25K.



7. Only use regular gas in the Prius.



8. Speed is really no problem in the Prius.



About the acceleration. Some folks think that the acceleration is poor because the zero to sixty times look a couple of seconds slower in the reviews. This occurs because when reviewers do the zero to sixty test they rev the engine and pop the clutch (or the automatic equivalent). Seldom are those vehicles actually driven that way in practice--even by the most aggressive drivers. The Prius won't let you do that kind of juvenilia so the times look slower. In addition:



A. Many people are used to using the engine sound to tell when to back off. In the Prius the engine speed is only loosely coupled to vehicle speed so when they hear the engine rev they back off--resulting in slower acceleration. Because the Prius doesn't allow the engine to be over-revved there is no need to back off.



B. Because the Prius never shifts, there isn't that low-gear jerk to ten mph when starting (followed by rather anemic acceleration in most family sedans). Instead the Prius accelerates smoothly and quickly right up to the maximum allowed speed of around 105 mph.



C. The approximately 195 ft.lbs. of torque that the larger motor/generator provides is available at all speeds so acceleration from highway speeds is very good.



D. The Prius is a family sedan, so if you're looking for a Porsche, you are looking at the wrong vehicle. Having driven both there is no question about which one is more fun to drive (hint: it's not the Porche unless you only drive on the race track).





9. Here's something about reliability. I have both a 2001 and 2004 and they've been trouble-free and low maintenance.



http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20110125/bc_olsen_prius_reliability_110125/20110125?hub=BritishColumbiaHome



Note that only non-Prius owners have complaints about costs. As far as I can tell, this is just "sour grapes".
Mandalorian
2011-01-27 00:37:27 UTC
Honda Insight, Honda Civic Hybrid, Toyota Camry Hybrid. It is hard to top the Prius though.
Unknown
2011-01-27 01:12:25 UTC
Prius is not a economical choice. The cost to maintain the car costs a lot more than a regular car. The insurance is also higher. Studies show that you have to drive this car at least 100,000 miles before you start saving any money. I would suggest getting a regular compact car(like 2007 Honda Civic, that car gets 30 mpg city). All hybrids are like that. However if you insist, Nissan Leaf and 2012 Ford Focus(the new one will have a electric motor) are good alternatives.
Canobeer6
2011-01-27 00:39:05 UTC
Just about any car is good as a Prius. Get yourself a golf kart and save yourself 25 grand.
Carmaster
2011-01-26 16:44:19 UTC
I would say the Nissan leaf or of course you could go with the 2012 Toyota Prius.

Here are some of the specs for the leaf

Price 32,000, but you get a tax credit depending on the state.

Rear spoiler

Tires and Wheels

Alloy wheels

16 in. wheels

Null spare wheel

P205/55R16 89H tires

All season tires

Roof and Glass

Variable intermittent wipers

Rear defogger

Intermittent rear wiper

Measurements

Width: 69.7 in.

Height: 61.0 in.

Length: 175.0 in.

Wheel base: 106.3 in.

Exterior Options

Hologram Kick Plates

Splash Guards

Mechanical

Engine & Performance

Cylinders:

Base engine type: electric

DriveTrain

Drive type: front wheel drive

Transmission: 1-speed direct drive

Suspension

MacPherson strut front suspension

Torsion beam rear suspension

Front independent suspension

Front and rear stabilizer bar

Fuel

Fuel type: electric

Fuel type: electric fuel

Range in miles (cty/hwy): N/A

EPA mileage est. (cty/hwy): 106/92 mpg

Safety

Safety & Security

4-wheel ABS

Front and rear head airbags

Dual front side-mounted airbags

Child seat anchors

Remote anti-theft alarm system

Emergency braking assist

Front and rear ventilated disc brakes

Rear door child safety locks

Engine immobilizer

LED headlamp

2 front headrests

2 rear headrests

Passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation

Rear center 3-point belt

Front seatbelt pretensioners

Stability control

Traction control

Electronic brakeforce distribution

Front height adjustable headrests

Rear height adjustable headrests

Passenger head restraint whiplash protection system

Driver head restraint whiplash protection system

Tire pressure monitoring

Safety & Security Options

Safety Kit

Warranty

Basic: 3 yr./ 36000 mi.

Drivetrain: 5 yr./ 60000 mi.

Hybrid Component: 8 yr./ 100000 mi.


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