I wonder if anyone has any comments on how the quality of the ride compares with a plain old Prius hatchback?
during my test drive, it felt similar. and i was comparing it to a car 5 years older, but many here feel it is much improved.
I test drove a 2019 Prime a week or so ago. I will say it was like night and day. VERY quiet, very smooth. HOWEVER, note that my 2015 Gen3 is a Persona so it has the low profile tires on 17 rims, and it is a very loud, stiff ride. So not a great comparison. Perhaps an oranges to apples kinda thing. I will say that I had my 14 "C" being state inspected at the dealer and I thought I would just take a looksee walking around the lot for shits and giggles. But mainly to check out the new Corolla Hybrid. A "sales consultant" let me take the Prime for a drive. Chat was kept to a minimum since he had no clue on Hybrids, but I got to check it out. I will also say that if it was the 2020, things may have ended differently. But being the first time I have ever looked inside a Gen 4, and obviously drove one, I am mighty impressed. But sorta the no frills after I pulled back in the dealership.... kinda reminded me of the Gen 3 no frills aspect. This was most likely due to the EV charge being DEAD and again no clue with the stealership. I wasnt able to experience the full EV mode I suppose some (or more?) dealerships dont get too caught up in the hybrid scene. Maybe think that the Prius is already sold to anyone that wants one, and maybe to smart for them to read up and learn about them. Another dealer around here has the new 2020 Prime XLE listed for $40k Im unsure as to why, have no clue. New Holland Toyota 2020 Prime
unfortunately, very few dealers are savvy enough to charge them up for test drives. much easier to sell an suv or minivan
I don’t have much experience with the third generation Prius (although we do have a second generation in addition to our P.Prime). Based upon my stepdaughter’s regular Gen-4 Prius, and our Prius prime, in comparison to our Gen-2 Prius, I find that there’s an excellent improvement: Not only do all of the gen-4 Prius versions feel considerably smoother and quieter, but the Prime’s battery pack seems to provide a little extra inertia to the rear of the car preventing it from reacting to bumps quite as strongly.
I had a Gen3 (2010 Prius II) for over 9 years and 200k miles and now a Prime (Plus model) for 6 months and 12 k miles. The Prime is a much better car in most regards: Seat comfort Steering feel Safety features If considering an upgrade, I’m happy we did.
Compared to two Gen III Prius's I've owned, the Prime's ride and handling in superior. Further, the Prime is quieter. Lastly, the second you close the door on the Prime you'll notice a difference - solid closure compared to the cheap tin sound of the Gen IIIs.
Compared to the last two generations we've owned, no comparison. The Prime rides smoother, more comfortably and handles corners better than any Prii before it (ok maybe except the Gen 4 Touring).
One thing: if you had a time machine, could resurrect a brand-new 2010 for a comparison, I think it would bring the two generations closer. Independent rear suspension, center of mass a little lower, plus that new car feel?
Indeed! I’ll also add that (although not ride-related as such) the brakes also feel, and just generally work, a lot better than on our Gen-2. I’m not sure about Gen-3, but the Gen-2s’ brakes have a tendency, when the engine is off, to slam on hard even when you only apply moderate pressure to the pedal. Again, not sure about Gen-3s, but no signs of that on the ‘Prime. I *think* the story there is that, with the engine off, having no continuous manifold vacuum, it uses a vacuum pump (which is that “vibra-slap” (google it) -like sound we hear periodically) to suck down a vacuum reservoir. When that reservoir is especially full (meaning empty!), it will give you an especially powerful bang of braking force.
I had a Gen 2.. and there is no comparison with the ride in Prime. Prime is better in almost every way as it should be being that it's brand new. Only thing I would say is that the cloth seats in the Gen 2 was actually a tad more comfortable than the new contoured shape and I am not even a big buy. Oh and I do miss the deeper trunk in the Gen 2, where I could easily fit my golf bag, push cart and all the other junk and still able to close the cover.
The Prime is night and day better than the older models. Feels more like a regular car and not a econobox hybrid.
