It appears the PIPs (even the $40K version) are not going to have the better, brushless motor EPS steering assembly that comes with the Model 5. Will people that have driven both version of the car please give me their comments as to whether this should be a major concern as I consider whether to order a PIP? Will this be a daily reminder that I just spent $40K on a car with far worse steering than what I already have, or merely a minor annoyance that it takes a bit more turning to get around the corners?
Honestly I don't see why this is even a concern. The steering was designed to help with 17" tires. It's not like some upgraded feature that makes the car handle drastically better. It certainly shouldn't be a deal killer.
I was pleasantly surprised when I found out I had gotten tighter steering by buying the Model 5. When the 2010 came out, I remember several comments from people who had come from Gen IIs to non-5 Gen IIIs saying that steering around corners was taking a lot more turning of the wheel than they were used to i.e., that the steering ratio had gotten worse. Paradox, among others has confirmed that there is a definite difference between driving his model 5 and his dad's model 4 or 3. I'm just wondering how much I'll notice or miss the difference if I buy the PIP.
Surprisingly, those don't bother me. I wouldn't normally like a multi-spoked rim, but these have a strong and kinetic feel to them, and kind of reminds me of the electrical nature of the car. I wonder if that's what the designer was going for. Would not have been my first choice, but doesn't look that bad to me. I'm kind of tired of the heavy monolithic look of the model 5 rims.
My problem with that design/style is they look un-sporty compared to the much more sporty 5 spoke design. You can find these same wheels on numerous family cars. In fact, they're exactly what you'd find on Corolla, Camry, etc. So much for going for the electrical nature of the car. I think the redesigned wheels on the 2012 regular Prius look way better.
We have a Gen 3, package II and V. If I pay attention, it is possible to detect the steering ration difference, although it is not a big deal. If I had not read about the difference, perhaps I would never have noticed.
Our first test drive was in a (Can equiv.) IV, and our second in a V (equiv), which we bought. Maybe it was just getting more used to the car, maybe it was that the first drive was in the dark, second in daylight. Not sure, but the second drive felt more assured, natural. Hard to explain.
I enjoy the quicker steering ratio, but not the wider turning circle that comes with it. You'd have to pick which is the lesser of two evils. I thought I heard somewhere that you'd get brush-less EPS but with the tighter/slower-ratio steering rack. Maybe I was wrong?
Possibly. I don't really like the steering ratio on mine and would prefer the quicker one found on the Touring model (Five) as it takes more turns than necessary to make a right turn but it does make for a nice lazy highway run lol.
Maybe it's just me, but if steering ratio and sporty handling are big concerns, I would be looking at cars other than a Prius or any other current Toyota.
As Tideland alluded to, it's just a convenience/luxury thing, not to have to turn the wheel so much to maneuver the car.
I thought the bigger turning circle was due to the bigger tires, to avoid rubbing the fenders. Seems likely that would be adjustable.
I have driven both. The faster ratio was one of the reasons I decided to buy a V. I would certainly miss it.
