2017 Prius Prime PHEV

[asimba2]

My Leaf is about as ugly as I can go. The new Prius looks flat hideous--I couldn't have come up with a worse design if I tried. No matter how good the car is, I couldn't drive it.

[edatoakrun]

My Leaf is about as ugly as I can go. The new Prius looks flat hideous...

First off, the LEAF is not ugly, it is homely...

As to the Prius, I've noticed a generational difference in the reaction to its...styling?

It certainly violates every historic standard of automotive design, and to me (56 years old) it looks quite hideous also.

But the fact that at least some younger viewers seem to like it more, may be emblematic of Toyota's effort to appeal to a more contemporary ironic perception of beauty.

Sort of like PBR's recent (successful) approach to selling beer...

[asimba2]

My Leaf is about as ugly as I can go. The new Prius looks flat hideous...

First off, the LEAF is not ugly, it is homely...

As to the Prius, I've noticed a generational difference in the reaction to its...styling?

It certainly violates every historic standard of automotive design, and to me (56 years old) it looks quite hideous also.

But the fact that at least some younger viewers seem to like it more, may be emblematic of Toyota's effort to appeal to a more contemporary ironic perception of beauty.

I'll agree with your assessment of 'homely' vs ugly on the Leaf. I've grown to think it's okay, but it's far from being a beautiful car. I'm 40 years young and my 31-year old wife hates the Prius redesign more than I do, haha. But all of Toyota's redesigns have gone to the shark-mouth treatment, everything from the 4Runner (I own a 4Runner and am digusted by the new one), the GX460/LX570 SUVs and new NX to nearly every Toyota and Lexus line of cars. Only the new Camry was spared from this treatment.

Here are some better photos, straight from Toyota's own website:




I don't see how a design team could have let that one out the door. It looks bad from literally every angle.

[RonDawg]

My Leaf is about as ugly as I can go. The new Prius looks flat hideous...

First off, the LEAF is not ugly, it is homely...

As to the Prius, I've noticed a generational difference in the reaction to its...styling?

It certainly violates every historic standard of automotive design, and to me (56 years old) it looks quite hideous also.

But the fact that at least some younger viewers seem to like it more, may be emblematic of Toyota's effort to appeal to a more contemporary ironic perception of beauty.

Sort of like PBR's recent (successful) approach to selling beer...

Generational preference, or unwavering fanboi devotion? The latter will fawn over anything made by Toyota even if it is quite literally a turd.

[LeftieBiker]

My biggest issue with the 1st gen PiP (other than terrible EV range) was the engine vibration was awful. Does anyone know if the 2nd gen will improve this?

There should be no noticeable engine vibration. There is an issue with all of the Gen III cars, though: condensation can form in the engine if it's run right before shutoff but not warmed up, and freeze into ice. Then, when you start the car, the ice shatters, causing a brief but severe knocking. The way to avoid it is to not shut the engine off cold in Winter. This applies to all the Priuses, not just the PIP, although the longer EV range of the latter can make the occurrence more likely.

[RonDawg]

OWW!!!! MY EYES!! MY EYES!!!

[GRA]

<snip>
I'm a Prius fan and I also don't like bizarre rear styling. I don't like the speedometer in the center either. So far, w/o seeing the Gen 4 in person, it seems like it's a significant step backwards in styling from Gen 3.

BTW, if you want to read press releases, http://priuschat.com/threads/all-worldw ... es.157653/ has some. Here's some marketing speak about the styling...

Stunning styling that subverts the conventional hybrid car image
From the bold design to the quality interior, the Prius has never had such a powerful presence. Toyota's designers were given free rein to realize their vision, and it shows.

I think the main thing it shows is that they didn't get the Transformers they wanted as children . Personally, I've never found the Gen 2 and 3 Prius' looks to be objectionable; I even sort of like the Gen 3. I can't wait to see this next to a Mirai - is it possible that the Mirai might look good in comparison? It will certainly be a close contest - this is hideous! Let's round up a Juke to complete the set, award them the title of top three worst looking Japanese cars ever (which seems to be the contest they're trying to win), and then send them all back to the drawing board.

[palmermd]

I was certainly looking forward to something similar to the concept/show car they had a few years ago. But when spy shots started showing up a year or so ago I could tell that that was not going to happen. Oh well. Probably due for a short run model anyway . Might be time to start the cycle over with a 3 year run.

2001-2003 - 3
2004-2009 - 6
2010-2015 - 6

[EVforRobert]

Click the link for photos.

Updating a PHEV's exterior design from boring to ugly (I.E. Mitsu Outlander) seems to be a trend lately.

Appearance notwithstanding, if the E range rumors are correct, it looks like ~eight kWh of the battery pack will be available, and the Prius brand could mean significant sales, particularly if Toyota decides it wants to generate its own CARB credits, rather than buying them from Tesla.

You think it will outsell the Volt gen 2?

Let me be the first to answer your question. The Volt easily outsells PIP right now and will continue to outsell it. Toyota has to sell comparatively fewer hydrogen vehicles to stay in compliance in California. Fast 15 minute refueling and 300 mile range is the key point. 8kWh will not generate a credit. Nor should it.

[evnow]

Prius has gone from boring to hideous.

I hope Nissan doesn't do something stupid with Leaf.