2008 Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and 2007 Saturn Vue Greenline

[Chip NoVaMac]

Wow. Before I had my Prius, two of my cars were a: 1992 Ford Escort GT (250 hp Mazda engine,) and b: 1985 Chevy Camaro SS. While the Prius most certainly isn't a sports car, it has more power and 'get up and go' than my Ford Explorer, and is perfectly fine on the freeway. My wife compares it favorably to her old Nissan Maxima V6. You forget that the Prius (like all other current hybrids,) use electric motors, and that electric motors have very high torque, available at all RPM ranges. My Prius has traction control, and I can still chirp the tires without even trying. Yes, it hurts gas mileage, and the big LCD showing your average mileage definitely 'guilts' you into driving slower; but it has power when you need it. (I have often passed 'muscle' vehicles while going uphill in my Prius. It doesn't lose power at high speeds.)

Man, I wish the Depression Era values my parents gave me didn't hold me as it does. The more I hear about the Prius, the more it makes sense for me as one that commutes short distances and at city speeds.

Though the question I have is, how well does it ride on the highway? As one other poster here said, the Civic can be punishing on long trips.

 

[SharksFan22]

Wow. Before I had my Prius, two of my cars were a: 1992 Ford Escort GT (250 hp Mazda engine,) and b: 1985 Chevy Camaro SS. While the Prius most certainly isn't a sports car, it has more power and 'get up and go' than my Ford Explorer, and is perfectly fine on the freeway. My wife compares it favorably to her old Nissan Maxima V6. You forget that the Prius (like all other current hybrids,) use electric motors, and that electric motors have very high torque, available at all RPM ranges. My Prius has traction control, and I can still chirp the tires without even trying. Yes, it hurts gas mileage, and the big LCD showing your average mileage definitely 'guilts' you into driving slower; but it has power when you need it. (I have often passed 'muscle' vehicles while going uphill in my Prius. It doesn't lose power at high speeds.)

I guess it all comes down to personal experience. Good to hear that you and your wife have positive experiences with your hybrid. I hear you on the instant mileage thing -- I've owned two BMWs with the same feature and it definitely does encourage you to be more conscious of mileage. And your right - great point about the torque of electric motors. My experience was just that at freeway speeds, both the electric vehicles (high torque, low hp) and my very limited hybrid experience left me unsatisfied with the 60-80mph passing ability. This is one thing I really like about these forums -- ten people can have an experience with something and there will be 10 completely different opinions on that experience!