I have owned my 2004 Prius for just over a year, now. I bought it in on an on-line auction site, and drove it back from Connecticut to Austin, Texas with three adults and two children. I can (and will) tell you how it drives on long hauls with five people.
First, the basics. The Prius has a hybrid engine, running on a gasoline and an electric motor, and has an energy reclamation system that charges the batteries when you coast or brake. It can use either or both combined to maximize fuel efficiency and performance. It decides, all you have to do is drive it like a regular car. You don't plug it in (I still get asked that!)
It comes with a constant variable transmission, which means it doesn't shift, and it sounds a little odd until you get used to it. It has several option packages. Mine has a very basic package, with mostly safety features such as side curtain airbags. You can get a navigation system. It has two stereo options, and both are lousy.
It can get anywhere from 42 to 60 miles per gallon, depending on how you drive. My wife's car advertises 24 mpg highway, but we really average 19 or less. That's about twenty percent less than advertised. Given that ratio, 48 MPGs is about what I should expect from the Prius, and that's usually what I get, although I have held it over 55 MPG for long periods of time.
The car itself is nice. The fabric is an attractive pseudo-suede material that has so far shown no problems, and does not stick to sweaty thighs. The dash is expansive, and is made from some form of plastic that looks sleek. The interior is as odd as the exterior, but very functional. The speedometer and idiot lights are mounted high, and close to the windshield, so you can see them easily without looking down from the road. They are not blocked by the steering wheel, so you don't have to take your hands off the wheel to see your speed, or fuel gauge. They are brightly lit, and the brightness can be controlled for comfort. Most controls for the radio and climate control are on the steering wheel. It is so convenient that I get annoyed with my wife's car now when I drive it, and hers cost a lot more.
There is also a readout screen which gives a graphic representation of how much mileage you are getting at any one point, how much you have gotten with your current tank of gas, and a lot of other information, such as how many kilowatt hours your car has reclaimed from lost energy, and whether your car is running off the gas or electric motor. Part of the fun of this car is maximizing your output using these readouts. They are in the center of the dashboard, mounted high, so it is not difficult to watch them while driving. You can also control the stereo and climate control from this screen, and the nav system on cars that have it.
Since you probably know all that, let me get to the experience of owning one. It drives well, accelerates well for a small car, and has a lot more room than you would ever imagine inside. It also gets a lot of looks and comments at stoplights and in parking lots. I've been eyed over by drivers of some of the top luxury models out there.
I've driven this car on 5th Avenue in New York City on a Saturday night, when every other car in sight was a taxi. It was small, quick and agile enough to zip in and out of the smallest openings without a problem. Considering it was my first drive in New York City, it was impressive. I also drove the car on the New Jersey Turnpike in freezing weather. I've driven it on snow covered highways, in 100+ temperatures, on Atlanta and Houston interstates where any car doing under 75 was treated as a speedbump. This car has no trouble cruising at top interstate speeds for very long drives, it has the maneuverability to handle traffic jams and curvy roads, it has the pickup to outrun an 18 wheeler on a short entrance ramp. It not only handles well for a small car, it handles and accelerates better than any of the midsize four cylinder cars I've driven, and better than some six cylinder cars I've driven.
On its size: It looks smaller than it is. Inside, it has the space of a Camry, more than a Corrola. Outside, it is narrow, and you can park in compact parking spots without any guilt, but it is tall, so your passengers in the back seat don't have to scrunch. There is plenty of cargo room, and the seats can be folded to accommodate long items, like ten foot lumber (yes, I've done that). On the trip from NYC to Austin, the car held me, my five year old daughter, my twelve year old niece (who is not small), and my parents, both of whom are slightly above average width. My father is seventy, and has problems getting in and out of many cars smaller than a van, but had no issues with this one, because of the height of the doors. All five of us were in the car for over 20 hours straight, and we managed to sleep and ride in reasonable comfort. We drove to New York in a large Buick, and we were no more comfortable. In fact, because of the design of the seats, the Prius felt better, though we were all a lot closer together.
In short, this is a good car, even without considering the mileage. It handles and drives well, is comfortable on long drives, and is well designed. Over the year and 16000 miles I've put on it, it shows no signs of wear or problems. I've heard from older Prius owners that the cars last longer, because the gasoline engine only runs for about half of the miles you put on the car. I spoke to one woman who owned a 2001 Prius with over 200K miles on it. It had been used as a courier car, and was still going strong. Note that the 2001 is a different design than the 2004, though.
On the mileage, it gets fantastic mileage. I never even notice gas prices anymore, since I only fill up the eleven gallon tank every three weeks. 60 MPG is hard to attain, granted, but the 45 you will likely average is better than what you will get in any other car, and you are probably getting less in those cars than you believe. And, the emissions are so low you can smile at bicyclers without any guilt.
I love cars, i live out of cars, and I use them heavily when I own them. I haul people and stuff in them, and take them places I'm not supposed to, like dirt roads and sandy beaches. I've driven several cars to beyond 200K, and I've had a few give out at under 100K. I've rented a lot for long drives when the ones I owned weren't trustworthy. So I am not someone who has just fallen in love with a car because I bought it and wanted to love it. i love this car. It is the best all-around car I've ever owned, and I've owned everything from sporty cars to minivans. It is worth the price, and whether you save the money on gas to make up the difference from buying a small car, like a Corolla or Civic, is immaterial. This is a better car.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 21000
Condition: Used Model Year: 2004
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