2007 Toyota Prius T3 1.5 Hybrid

Summary:

Very very good

Faults:

None.

General Comments:

After much debate between this and a small diesel for my commute to work, and after a test drive, I plumped for the Prius.

Having driven for a short while I am glad I went for this.

The car is excellent, spacious, so if I do have to drop the kids off there is plenty of room.

The foot parking brake took some getting used to, just different to what I was used to.

The economy is superb, currently @ 58 mpg, I think because I am being ultra conscious on the driving style!

Driving in traffic is a dream, as it has plenty of power to keep up, and it cruises happily at the Motorway limits.

Overall very impressed.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 21st June, 2010

2003 Toyota Prius T-Spirit 1.5

Summary:

Cheap to own green technology

Faults:

Nothing, it has been faultless.

General Comments:

Vehicle bought after previous Land Rover Freelander became too expensive to run, have been impressed with its overall lack of cost to own. Depreciation has been minimal, servicing costs minimal so far (enough support online to service this car yourself quite comfortably).

My wife drives it about 2 miles to work each day (so four miles return journey) and we never get less than 42 miles to the gallon, may not sound a lot but the Landrover achieved about 18 MPG (and that was a diesel!) due to the short journeys.

When we take it on holiday, I achieve 55-60MPG on a motorway run, fully loaded with the family & luggage. Also road tax at £15, makes my day when the annual reminder comes through.. the Landrover would be £400 when the latest raft of changes come through..

Fears of battery degradation appear unfounded, I can still do 28MPH for about 1 1/2 miles on a full charge (once rolling that is!) Our vehicle is one of the original press fleet from the release of the NHW20 model, and so far has proved the most fascinating car to own, the technology still amazes me now after 2 years.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 12th January, 2009

2004 Toyota Prius T3 Hybrid

Summary:

Amazing value for such an advanced car

Faults:

Nothing has gone wrong with the car - maybe criticise the dash for scuffing easily.

General Comments:

The car is great - very economical although you have to drive it the right way. This is clear by the reviews in the UK where they got ex-racing drivers to try it and they got 40mpg. I drive it carefully and I have achieved 70+mpg on the motorway over 100 mile journeys on a few occasions and often get over 60mpg.

Very nice to drive - comfortable and quiet.

Boot space is great - can fit a weeks shopping in with ease.

The view out the rear view can be obscured, but the side mirrors more than make up for that as they are great.

Buy one!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 5th March, 2005

13th Jun 2005, 07:13

I really can't understand the appeal of hybrids. You can buy a number of small diesel cars right now which will achieve 60 mpg in day to day use, without the cost, complexity and unknown future reliability of the hybrid drivetrain and more importantly its complex electronics. No heavy battery packs with their heavy metals and noxious chemicals, and being diesel powered, ready "out of the box" to use renewable vegetable oil based fuels, or biodiesel if the infrastructure and tax policy would accommodate them.

There's also the matter of the Lupo TDI 3L. Over 20g/km less CO2 than the Prius (even when burning standard fossil diesel), against 104 g/km for the Prius), a genuine 70-80 mpg in daily use, near identical performance and about £4k cheaper when they finally decide to import it. And an infinitely simpler design which will be more reliable and cheaper to maintain. Even comparatively big, high performance diesel cars like the new Focus and Golf will do 0-60 in 9 seconds, 50 mpg and still only have maybe 40g/km more.

If it weren't for modern diesels, the hybrid would be a good choice.

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