Toyota Prius test drive since 2009 hatchback
The test of the new Toyota Prius. Is economy on the opposite of pleasure?
Toyota has already sold more than 1.2 million Priuses around the world. Now the third generation of a hybrid sedan has come to the market. It promises an increase in power and an even greater reduction in fuel consumption. British humor is sometimes saturated with sarcasm. One expert-journalist from the English islands wrote that the hybrid models of Toyota seemed to be created for those who at all cannot stand the car. Maybe there is a share of truth? Is economy on the opposite of pleasure?
Beverly Hills drives Toyota Prius
The Americans believe differently: Toyota Prius spreads in the country of large SUVs and pickups like spam. Among the noble residents of Beverly Hills, where the car is needed not to enjoy, but solely to maintain their own ego, with the highest self -confidence at Toyota Prius those who want to create an image of an intellectual, open to the world and taking care of the environment. The role of the prince is played on Rolls. So it all depends on the circumstances. The way to get from point A to point B with the minimum consumption of natural resources, of course, is very tempting. Toyota Prius proves this on a trip from Stuttgart through Schwarvald to the Kaorschestul mountains.
Toyota Prius passes an examination exam
A little autobahn, many winding country roads. Driving style: not at all aimed at environmental friendliness, performing overtaking when there is an opportunity. After 208 kilometers, a refueling stop: 10.7 liters are ridiculous to the tank, the average consumption is 5.1 liters per 100 kilometers. We go back along the autobahn. Here it is possible to go for full gas longer, which allows Prius to develop a speed of 190 km/h after a painfully long acceleration. The average consumption of 8.4 liters per 100 kilometers. For the entire test, on average, Prius spent 5.9 liters, and such an indicator speaks in favor of a car that can be family and conveniently place four people. So the combination of an electric motor with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine of the new generation Prius successfully passes an environmental friendliness test.
On the Toyota Prius electric drive can drive 1.5 kilometers
Since we tested the car harder than loaded with everyday use, I really want to believe that there can be a four before the comma in the consumption of fuel. Yes, and the readings in the cockpit, where the stream of power and fuel consumption are displayed, constantly challenge to fight for new records to save fuel. And if someone presses the accelerator pedal on the floor, then he does it automatically and the conscience of his unclean. It is also interesting to check the EV mode, which turns on using the button. In this mode, Toyota Prius is only on an electric drive, an internal combustion engine at this time rests. At the same time, the speed will not be higher than 45 km/h, so this mode is more suitable for movement around the city ... and small distances. If you manage to drive 1.5 kilometers, until the battery bulb does not complain about the lack of charge, you can be congratulated. Nevertheless, this is enough to maneuver without exhaust gases in the parking lot or save others from the noise of your motor when moving in a traffic jam.
The running qualities of the new Toyota Prius have become better Now you can imagine what potential a hybrid hides in itself and what it will be capable of in the future, when the technique of using the batteries will be even more improved. Compared to the previous model, Prius took a huge step forward as a motor installation. And according to other parameters, he definitely became better. The steering operates easily and accurately, a drop of sports even appeared in it. In general, Prius has become more agile, this is a modern front -wheel drive car, which without problems, and if desired, even quickly passes, is confidently accelerating on the autobahn and differs, even if it is not the best, but good enough brakes. And more importantly: the smoothness of the course has increased. Although Toyota Prius is not going perfectly on the road, he learned to absorb the waves of coatings so much that they no longer become a topic for discussion among his passengers.
Prius'a engine operates on Atkinson's cycle
But there are other topics for discussions. For example, the increasing howl of wind at high speed and the unusually loud noise of the wheels, which turn on the highway into annoying cacophony. Or take another motor. It works on the so -called Atkinson cycle. It is associated with the phases of gas distribution of inlet valves, improves efficiency in the upper speed range and reduces the need to add oil to the combustible mixture at full load, which leads to a decrease in the emission of exhaust gases and fuel saving. Those who are interested in the details can read about this principle on Wikipedia. But when driving a car, these subtleties are almost invisible. The principle of Atkinson negatively affects the development of torque in the lower range, so we can say with confidence that it is unlikely that the internal combustion engine would be so popular for more than 100 years if the manufacturers took the Atkinson cycle as a basis.
Toyota Prius does not reach the ideal
However, in combination with an electric motor, which, due to its traction, can smooth out touching, the situation changes again. Nevertheless, the general picture, to which such a characteristic detail of Toyota Prius should be added, like a stray variator, is not too impressive. The responsiveness of the gas pedal with a very large move becomes especially slow when the ECO mode is turned on. Prius'a also has a Power mode, in which the main work lies on the shoulders of the gasoline engine, but then fuel consumption grows significantly. In any case, your patience is subjected to the test until the car begins to move properly.
The driver must learn a passive driving style
Behind all these settings that require addiction, hides the desire to teach the driver to travel passively. This will benefit the appetite of a hybrid drive. In this situation, the internal combustion engine is perceived seriously only insofar as. He is quietly buzzing and does not claim to be universal attention. Everything changes when power is required, which in the sum of the capabilities of the piston and electric engines is 136 horsepower. Here the motor begins to roar painfully and, when accelerated, remains in the speed range that allows it to develop better traction. It all sounds like an old washing machine in mode
except of linen and gradually begins to act on the nerves. But you can save gas and gasoline even on an autobahn. Managing Toyota Prius means to study ... and say goodbye to your love in the sound and turns of four cylinders with turbocharged and amazingly accurate drive. Unsightly plastic Toyota Prius
In addition, the trip is determined by the freedom that the car gives us: to be able to go where we want. After all, this can also bring pleasure. It would seem that a pleasant situation in the cabin should please, but here Toyota Prius has flaws. A poor overview of his body during dense movement can easily be angry, and the cheap plastic of the cabin is disappointed due to the price that is asked for this Toyota sedan. In addition, the ergonomicity of control buttons and heaply located digital displays do not honor the product that is going to live in the future of cars.
Advantages and disadvantages
Body
pros
Good capacity of the cabin
Large luggage compartment
Minuses
Bad review
Non -proof decoration with plastic
Comfort
pros
Comfortable seats
Good conditioning
Satisfactory depreciation
Minuses
You need to get used to some control buttons
Light noise of the wheels
Drive unit
pros
Very effective drive
Invisible automation operation
Large margin
Minuses
Slow responsiveness of the gas pedal
mediocre characteristics of movement
The grumbling sound of the motor
Shodal qualities
pros
Confidence in turns
Stable acceleration
sufficient agility
Accurate steering
Minuses
strong rolls in extreme conditions
Security
pros
Good security system
Effective brakes
Environmental friendliness
pros
very low fuel consumption
Small emission of exhaust gases
compliance with Euro 5 standards
Expenses
pros
Small fuel costs
Three -year guarantee (five years on a hybrid drive)
Small tax
Minuses
Relatively high price
Conclusion
Toyota Prius hybrid drive shows high efficiency. If you do not take into account the grumbling of the engine, there is practically nothing to complain about. The characteristics of the movement and the level of comfort were improved. Those who seek to take care of ecology will like Prius.
Prius cost The entry into the green paradise of Toyota Prius is not cheap. Already the base model costs 24,950 euros, and the Life equipment that has passed our test is sold for 26,250 euros.
For this difference in price, the buyer receives instead of 15-inch 17-inch wheels with wide tires (215/45 R17 instead of 195/65 R15), as well as cruise control and leather steering wheel.
Note from Drom.ru: The cost of the Prius model in the Russian Federation starts from 1,177,000 rubles.
Toyota Prius is profitable in operation
The most expensive EXECTIVE equipment for 28,250 euros also includes automatic control of the near light, LED headlights, an audio system with a Bluetooth and a CD changer, plus a door opening system and starting a car without a Smart -key key. The common advantage for all Toyota Prius is a very profitable tax tariff due to the low level of carbon dioxide emission (up to 89 g/km in a normal cycle with 15-inch wheels). At the moment, this is the smallest emission of CO2 among all gasoline cars in the market. In addition, Prius is inexpensive in insurance, maintenance and repair. The costs of repair and maintenance for the new generation model, according to the manufacturer, were partially reduced due to the fact that there is no ordinary starter, generator and belt drives for related units. The main cost criterion is fuel consumption. However, he, as usual, directly depends on the driving style. However, it is possible to achieve readings below 5 liters per hundred kilometers without much difficulty.
Electronic filling Prius'a
The electronic control of the drive system proves the perfection that Toyota has reached in the production of hybrids. And if it were not for the periodic dominance of the noise of the motor, the driver would not have noticed at all how gasoline and electric engines replace each other in work (a shift type can be seen on the display).
Economical fuel consumption in ECO mode
And yet the driver has a choice. In ECO mode, preference is given to the work of an electric motor. Due to this, you can get the minimum fuel consumption. Nearby is a button that turns on the Power mode. Here, the internal combustion engine reacts more spontaneously to the pressing of the accelerator pedal, and the disclosure of the potential occurs with a more pronounced temperament. The reverse side of the coin: Fuel consumption is growing. As the third option, you can choose the EV mode, when activating which Prius goes only on an electric drive, as much as the battery charge allows. At the same time, the maximum speed is 45 km/h, and the range is approximately 1.5 kilometers under optimal conditions of a fully charged battery, lack of rise, smooth style
driving. Other details of the electronic filling Prius'a are nothing special. There is nothing new in the parking assistance system, but the navigator, although convenient in operation, is equipped with a display with a relatively rude graphics, which does not correspond to technical achievements. Prius for every day and in trials
A completely unsatisfactory review refers to the most significant weaknesses Prius. Despite the presence of parking sensors, maneuver in the constrained space is one torment. The loud squeak, which is heard when the rear gear is turned on, does not help here and resembles the sound of the loader. On the road and autobahn on Prius'e, it is better to go calmly.
Comfort is not the strongest side of Toyota Prius
If you need to quickly accelerate, irritation can cause a sluggish response of a gasoline engine and its excessive noise at high speeds. A noticeable work to improve Toyota Prius is noted in those areas of the classic device of the car that have nothing to do with the hybrid drive. The steering wheel with an electronic drive has become very responsive, the management, although not sports, but worthy for a car, whose priority is environmental friendliness. The brakes demonstrate reliability, the suspension works properly, but at the same time, Prius does not differ in special comfort.
A source: auto Motor und Sport
