My problems with the Prius c

I just finished my seventh as second driver to the new Prius c. It’s a package IV in black metallic pearl with a sunroof.

But that’s not my problem.

It’s not Priusy enough. For me.

My wife, who is first driver, loves it. I don’t. I don’t dislike it. I enjoy driving it. The MPG we’ve pulled out of the car without really trying is fine. Consumer Reports just rated it as one of the most reliable cars you can buy right now.

My problems are mostly my own. I hate the floor mounted shifter. I the computer system in it is slow and the touchscreen is more of a push hard screen. The telematics are better, in many ways, than other previous Prii but also worse. The nav is slow, clunky and neutered by a “Confirm” screen as well as being disabled while the vehicle is moving (as it is with all other Prii).

For me, it’s the conscious decisions Toyota made to make this vehicle more “mainstream” that frustrate me. The stuff other Prii have that this one doesn’t. Some of the little technological flourishes like the ceiling mounted LED spotlight in my Gen2.

That said, I don’t hesitate to recommend the c to new, potential Prius buyers. I’m fairly sure they would not see the things that annoy me as annoying having no history with Prius.

I’m working finishing several video reviews one of which will detail my ownership experience with the c, coming soon. Then you can hear and see all my little gripes and see all the good things about the Prius c. As usual, you can then make your own judgment.

Prius c review

Prius PHEV

(photograph courtesy of Toyota)

Earlier today Toyota unveiled the Prius PHEV within the confines of the tony Torrey Pines Lodge in San Diego. An exclusive list of invited media attended and had a chance to drive the PHV as well as participate in some seminars on “sustainability”. Festivities continue through tomorrow so I imagine the news stories will start flowing between now and then as it appears Toyota has not embargoed driving impressions of the new Prius (somewhat surprising).

Here’s Toyota’s FAQ on the Prius PHV.

While I languish at POG HQ here in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, my partner in crime, Danny Cooper of priuschat.com and co-host of What Drives Us is out there suffering through San Diego weather and what is surely an onslaught of underpriced media dinners. So, that means a full report on this week’s What Drives Us which should hit the streets in the next day or so (once we get this week’s podcast done). And yes, the What Drives Us take on the Prius PHV will be the definitive one. I would put forth that we might be only two reviewers who also own 2010 Prius (since the PHV is based on the 2010 Prius).

Check back soon and hear me grill Danny on the new PHV and whether or not he was able to sneak off to In-N-Out (it’s only a few miles down the road from your hotel Danny!).

By the way, for the GPS obsessed…

I’ve gone through all the images on the Flickr Gallery of Camry hybrid review and geotagged them. So if you want to see where the images were actually taken, you can. When you visit the Flickr Gallery, click on an image and then look down, on the lower right and you will see a location. You can click on that link to make the map appear.

Or, if you’re not suffering from my obsession with detail, you can just read the review…

And, it’s a review I’m proud of. Check it out.

Friday again

Hey, we made it through another week!

And if you haven’t already, make sure you check out my rambling and very complete review of the hybrid Camry. We a blast driving the car and I think you’ll enjoy the review and images.

Otherwise, despite a busy weekend ahead, I’ll be dropping throughout Saturday and Sunday to update the news here. So check back and see what’s going on in the Prius world.

Have a great weekend and drive safe.

-russell

Camry hybrid review

Have you checked out the Camry review?

You should.

And please do. Click here to read a very long, in-depth review of the 2007 Toyota Camry hybrid. We drove one for a week and now you can get a glimpse into our experience.

Click on the picture below…

it’s done…finally

The review of the 2007 Camry hybrid and travelogue is done. You can read it by clicking here.