Buyer describes his preference for the Plug-in Prius

[dwl]

Sounds like, for this fellow, the PiP might have actually been the correct choice. But I think he's in a bit of a unique situation. Although I did get a chuckle when he said he prefered driving a wedge and the Volt looked too much like a real car.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/...readers-choice

[bonaire]

It may not be the right thing to say but I bet he also has fear of being seen in a Volt after all the FoxNews stuff going on. I really don't think he wanted to save on gas. The mileage to DFW in a Volt means it would still use less gasoline in a Volt round-trip than a PiP. He can keep supporting the import vehicles. Hope he doesn't get his engineering job outsourced when his firm finds engineers are cheaper overseas.

[DonC]

I doubt he's ever driven a Volt. You can't drive both and not comment on the superior ride, handling, and quiet cabin that you get with a Volt.

[gaulfinger]

I have to agree that interior space is an issue for many owners. We had to keep my wife's HHR for that very reason. Our kids' carpool requires room for five.

I wish him luck on that "quality" bit. This CNN articles brings back into light how much Toyota hides problems http://www.cnn.com/2012/03/01/us/toy...html?hpt=hp_c2 for the sake of appearances. I dumped my '05 Prius over quality and engineering problems that drove me nuts after 18 months.

Volt has been vastly superior.

[mflstc]

I don"t have a plug in Prius but I did have a 2006 Prius before the Volt. There is no comparison! The Volt is a much better car. Period! The prius was the worst handling car I ever had and the average gas mileage I got was 38 mpg. So I will take my Volt any day over the Prius.

[Enrique]

I could see how the 4 seats vs 5 might be a put-off for some, but I rented a 2011 Prius for 2 weeks recently and I don't know about the space issue - I think the Volt has more space for the driver and is more comfortable, although there is probably less legroom for the rear passengers in a Volt, especially if you move your seats back. Cargo space seems about the same to me even though I've heard other people say Prius has more. Otherwise, driving experience, handling, quality, and interior finishes - no comparison whatsoever.. Volt is the hands-down winner and much higher quality car.

I got 45mpg in the Prius over those 2 weeks .. and that was even with putting some effort into it (pulse and glide, etc). Good luck to anyone who will get 50+ unless you're hypermiling.

[Paul*]

He's making the same mistake regarding electric range. The PIP has 6 miles EV range not 11 miles. with his driving patterns he would use no gas with a Volt. You need a 101 mile comute to do better than the Volt on gas.

[quartzav]

@ Paul* You are correct that most Pip fans will conveniently ignore the possibility of not using gas at all and instead focus on how “efficiently” they can use that gas in HSD. In addition to that, I believe he put more premiums on "distinctive look" and "proven track record" of Pip.

[Jeff N]

The PIP has 6 miles EV range not 11 miles.

That 6 mile number is an artifact of the EPA test cycle and is not very meaningful. If you stay under 62 mph on relatively flat roads and take it easy on acceleration it will be quite easy in mild temperatures to get 11 miles in the PiP. Getting 12-13 is likely not that difficult much like it is easy to get 40+ miles of range in the Volt.

[vdiv]

There is a lot of disinformation on the ER fuel economy of the Volt. On the highway, while driving at 60 mph with the climate control on Eco Auto mode set at 66 deg F (~50 deg F outside) I got 42.4 mpg. When I accelerated to 70 mph for the second half of the trip the economy dropped down to 40 mpg.

Kind of tired from the mileage being listed as 32, 35 or 37 mpg.