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Toyota Prius Review
| Customer Test Drive |
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| 2004 Toyota Prius Liftback | Back to Toyota Prius Reviews |
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| stock image shown | Add my Toyota Prius review | ||||||
| Ratings | |
| Overall: |
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| Comfort: |
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| Performance: |
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| Quality: |
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| Appearance: |
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| Comments | |
Favorite feature: |
Smart Key |
Least favorite feature: |
centerline hump makes rear seat less comfortable for 3. |
Advice to buyer: |
Be flexible on color and package - Checks LOTS of dealers for wait list and # they receive monthly. Do NOT pay over MSRP! |
Detailed review: |
Prius is fine in snow, but not with the OEM tires. Depending on how much snow you get, you will need dedicated snow tires or high end All Seasons. I'm not sure how it would handle on hilly dirt roads if they aren't well plowed as I didn't try it. I got a package with VSC and could not even start a skid in tests in a sloped parking lot full of snow. It starts as easily at 20 below 0 F as it does at 80 F! Push Power and the car is ready to go before you have buckled your seatbelt. Considered the Honda Civic Hybrid, but the rear seat doesn't fold down (nor do they in the new Honda Accord Hybrid). In my opinion, the Toyota full hybrid design with its all electric capability is much better than the Honda IMA. There are places on my commute I can go about a mile without the gas engine running at all. The planetary gear system 'transmission' is extremely smooth. I want the Smart Key System to work with my house! Never have to use a key or get the fob out to push buttons to unlock/lock, etc. I think the power is fine. A lot of people have been brain washed into thinking if they can't get 0-60 in 7 seconds, they are going to die on the road. Not true. Instead of trying to push in front of that car, turn on your indicator and merge behind them, even if you can do 0-60 in 5 seconds. Everyone will be happier. People also think they need the biggest thing on the road to be safe. A Prius with side curtain airbags has a double 5 star crash rating. That isn't true of many vehicles, notably the SUVs people buy to be 'safer'. The worst mileage I got was 32+ during a 2 week period where it never went about 9F and was below -10F every night. Now that it is warm, I am getting 54+ on the same roads. The flexibility of the interior, with the front seat that folds back flat to the rear seat means I can easily carry 8' lumber INSIDE with the hatch closed. Smaller (ie flexible) diameter PVC (I brought home a bunch of 1') 10' long fits diagonally going to the floor of the front passenger seat. There isn't another car for sale today I would trade for my Prius. |
Also considered: |
2003 Toyota Prius 2004 Honda Civic |
Vehicle purchased: |
2004 Toyota Prius |
| About This Reviewer... | |
Name: |
Bruce Alvarez |
Email address: |
bruceha2000@netscape.net |
Location: |
South Burlington, Vermont |
Other vehicles owned: |
None |
Review submitted: |
June 27, 2005 |
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