Quote:
|
Originally Posted by finman
I'll go ahead and say the Prius is good for ALL driving.
On the highway it is ALWAYS, persistently keeping the battery charged AND assisting the gas engine, sometimes going into 'stealth' at 60 MPH (gas engine spins, no fuel gets burned). It has passing power when needed, but has frugalness with a light foot. VERY smooth acceleration.
City driving is quiet when in EV mode (below 44 MPH with the right conditions). Typically I can go all EV below 30 MPH in residential areas. The A/C is electric, no belts or engine required...directly. Indirectly the gas engine can run the generator AND the bigger electric motor to move you, or use the battery pack to do BOTH. Amazingly complex, yet simple is what I say.
Plus I've driven the 06 Civic Hybrid and it is not as smooth as the HSD PRius. My opinion, of course.
Plus, ulility. C'mon Honda! I can haul a full-size wheelbarrow, big square boxes, 8' lumber, what ever I need to. The HCH has no folding seats. I love the utility in my EUV (environmental utility vehicle).
I think the Prius has many more options that are simply NOT available at all on the HCH: Smart-key, vehicle stability control, bluetooth...if u opt to 'need' them.
Hands-down, Prius. Plus the plug-in Lithium version in '09. That will be something. |
Yes i did forget to mention, when i test drove the HCH
the salesman couldnt say anything when i told him i need to haul *** when i go on vacation: the REAR Seats doesnt fold down
Every single car I see out there, the manufacturer always EMPHASIZE Space and interior room. Look at the Cheapest/Smallest car they have: The HONDA FIT. How much more can Honda Emphasize Luggage Space and interior Room; they can Fit a BIKE inside that thing and still have room in the back for cabinet and stereo system !
he told me that the batteries were built there and it made it impossible to put the seats down.
but overall, the car was excellent and nice to drive, but i still prefer the Prius.
Now about price, here in canada, it's $5,000 more. No wonder people are reluctant to buy the prius over the HCHII
BUT, If you are not going to be changing cars often, I say spend the extra bucks and get a prius, compartment space is really essential; i have learned the hard way: driving around in a BMW coupe is nice, it's roughly the same size as the new civic, but on one occassion when i went to the furniture store for a computer desk, i had to hassle my parents to borrowing their van for something that would fit in my sister's honda civic hatchback. You'll never know when you're going to need it. Spending this kind of money should at least get you something that can do at least that.