Toyota Prius Review By Bill Howard January 31, 2006 The window sticker on the Prius says 60 mpg, yet the best we got was mid-50s. But that's a misstatement we can live with. This hybrid gasoline/electric vehicle is the complete midsize car, offering quality, fuel efficiency, fit and finish, comfort, and a spacious interior. http://www.technoride.com/article/Toyota+P...w/170411_1.aspx
I thought this was a pretty good review. I've known Bill Howard for about 10 years now... and I wrote him an email yesterday congratulating him on a fairly well written article. There were a couple of nits that I felt emphasized unimportant things... but overall, I thought it was balanced, and pretty accurate. /Jim
Pretty good, that's for sure. Some of it sounds like it was written by someone who didn't really drive it enough to get familiar with it. The reverse beep, for example, he doesn't mention that you can disable it. It's not obvious where the test driving was done but if he's gotten mid50s at this time of year, it's probably somewhere perrenially warm. However, slower driving would probably increase the MPG. As with most reviews, it's written by someone who isn't used to driving a hybrid. For instance, how fast it gets to 60 mph from a standing start is kind of useless to me. It's good that he points out all of the drawbacks because it gives the person thinking about buying a Prius. It makes me glad that I don't have the NAV system and a 2006. Knowing Toyota, they'll have those issues ironed out by the time I even start thinking about buying my second Prius. The reverse camera issues are well taken. Personally, I'd really hope that they improve it soon.
I agree that it was a decent review but I diagree with his nav statements. The new 06's nav system is good, the graphic much cripser and the split screen looks good and is easy to understand. I would say that the 05 nav system was showing it's age (the garmins etc where catching up or passing), but the new system now looks better or on par with how other 3rd party systems look.
I forwarded the article link to my contact at Toyota Midwest Regional. It was interesting that the article concluded the same thing with regard to a lack of GPS functionality while the Prius was moving. I pointed that out. The more the company gets that kind of feedback, the more they will understand this is an issue that needs attention.
