Toyota Prius loaner car...review!

[plasma23]

Hey Guys,

So I had taken my E90 330i M Sport N53 remapped 285hp with Performance Exhaust and Intake to a local Toyota Dealership for a basic service...that's another story and can be found here: http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=970207

The car was in their garage for a good 3 days, and after some banter with the Toyota dealer manager, I managed to get a 2013 Prius 1.8 litre as a loaner.

I have always had a liking to the Prius and because I had never driven one, I was quite eager to get this as a courtesy car.

Performance

Now, I know the Prius was built for economy, but I must commend it's low down torque, which took me by surprise! The combination of the 1.8 litre petrol and the battery does give it quite good thrust (below 3k) and more so than my 330i auto.
The throttle response is also very good, instant get up and go. Feels so much more responsive than my auto, which is terribly laggy from stand still in 'D' mode (damn electric throttle). Autbox of the Prius is superb.

Past 3k rpm you realise the Prius is pretty much giving all it has and at this point my 330i will pass by with ease.

Handling

Yes feels kinda like a boat in comparison to my BMW. FWD and uneven weight distribution (due to the heavy batteries) give it quite a lot of body roll around corners. However the Prius is excellent and very comfortable over rough roads and over long motorway drives...a refreshing change to the run flat tyres and M Sport suspension of my car!

Interior

Very high tech and a lot of gadgets. Typical Japanese plastics on the dash board, that said it isn't poor quality, just not as good a BMW. Comfortable seats and very roomy, felt kinda like a 7 seater inside.

Verdict

Excellent car and does it's purpose well. VERY good on fuel although that was expected. I definitely wouldn't mind having a Prius as a daily runner and as a city car. The torque of this car really took me by surprise!

[NGEE]

[Taskmaster]

I've kinda wanted a Prius - it would be a perfect daily driver. Of course I would lower it, put a nice set of wheels and try to get it with a manual...

[Dark_Knight_335]

They're respectable cars for their class, and will probably outlast all our cars put together.

[jcut825]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I've kinda wanted a Prius - it would be a perfect daily driver. Of course I would lower it, put a nice set of wheels and try to get it with a manual...

No such thing as a Prius with a manual transmission. It uses a CVT only.

[roadkillrob]

320d - loads of torque and only 5mpg less than a prius!

[TokyoCarGuy]

[dsb335]

Originally Posted by TheAxiom

I've kinda wanted a Prius - it would be a perfect daily driver. Of course I would lower it, put a nice set of wheels and try to get it with a manual...

If one considers buying or purchases a Prius, they and their kin should be sterilized. The only way to escape this fate is to to purchase, daily drive, and fully maintain a well used Alfa Romeo for no less than 10 years.

[Nordkeyz73]

Originally Posted by mdintx

If one considers buying or purchases a Prius, they and their kin should be sterilized. The only way to escape this fate is to to purchase, daily drive, and fully maintain a well used Alfa Romeo for no less than 10 years.

Wise words.

[SgtGoldy]

there are other hybrids I much rather drive than a prius...


Hell I'd even go american and take the Fusion Hybrid

[roadkillrob]

The Prius is proof that most people don't actually like driving a car!

[NICKBRUM]

Originally Posted by roadkillrob

The Prius is proof that most people don't actually like driving a car!

Yep in fact I decided those people hate cars! I truly dont understand the point of this thread. Im surprised OP has not been flamed yet.

[Mardio]

Prius is a swear word in my household.

[ToothDoc]

You guys are so narrow minded. I owned a Prius for a bit (last year) and for what it does, it's excellent. The Prius is on a whole level above efficiency over diesels. I can't stand it when people claim diesels get 50 mpg, blah blah blah. Does it get 50 mpg in the city, idling around, sitting in parking lots eating McDonald's? No, I don't so. Seriously, only reason I don't have it anymore is because I hate having cars sit outside of the garage and it was such a cheap efficient beater, I didn't drive my 911 as much. Now since it's gone, I'm forced to DD my 911.

[NemesisX]

I think that low end torque you speak of is why I see so many Priuses drive so damned aggressively on the road. It's ridiculous. I always picture Prius drivers as tame, cultured, sophisticated old people but a lot of prius drivers drive like 25 year old wannabe Schumacher douchebags. Just constant tailgating, speeding, and weaving in and out of lanes in an effort to "get ahead" of the pack. Add in the "I'm too cool for turn signals" lane changes as well.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by ToothDoc

You guys are so narrow minded. I owned a Prius for a bit (last year) and for what it does, it's excellent. The Prius is on a whole level above efficiency over diesels. I can't stand it when people claim diesels get 50 mpg, blah blah blah. Does it get 50 mpg in the city, idling around, sitting in parking lots eating McDonald's? No, I don't so. Seriously, only reason I don't have it anymore is because I hate having cars sit outside of the garage and it was such a cheap efficient beater, I didn't drive my 911 as much. Now since it's gone, I'm forced to DD my 911.

This would be an excellent addition to the "First world problems" thread in OT

[NemesisX]

But yeah irrational Toyota hatred is the number one red flag for me in terms of letting me know that I'm dealing with someone who doesn't really know much about cars.

[Ca$hOnly]

I've had a Prius since 2011. They are great at city commuting and the gas mileage is obviously very good. I was most surprised by the rear legroom and the amount of storage when you fold the rear seats down.

The driving pleasure leaves lots to be desired, it kind of feels like driving an elevator. But I did not get it for driving fun.

However if you are looking for a reasonably priced city commuter with great gas mileage I 100% recommend the car.

[NemesisX]

Originally Posted by NICKBRUM

Yep in fact I decided those people hate cars! I truly dont understand the point of this thread. Im surprised OP has not been flamed yet.

Are you really this obtuse? We're in a non-BMW automotive forum

How can you possibly not understand why a thread about a non-BMW car might be appropriate for a non-BMW car forum?

[DieGrüneHölle]

There isn't one second in my life where I would want to drive an "appliance" type car. Why DD something boring? I am looking at the 228i with track handling package. That is about as mundane as I would ever get purchasing a second car for DD.

[plasma23]

For what the Prius is meant to be, an economical appliance, no one can deny it is excellent.

Now that I have my bimmer back, I do some certain traits of the Prius. Lasts ages before going to the fuel pump, smooth and comfortable.

But getting back in my BMW and hearing that smooth in line 6, taking corners is something I appreciate more

[plasma23]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

There isn't one second in my life where I would want to drive an "appliance" type car. Why DD something boring? I am looking at the 228i with track handling package. That is about as mundane as I would ever get purchasing a second car for DD.

In an ideal world you are correct. But most people are bound by money and the Prius (cheap maintenance and running costs) is appropriate as a DD.

If money was not as much of a concern to me, I would have a 911 as a weekend car and my 330i as a DD.