Toyota Prius Hatchback (2009 - 2015) 1.8 VVTi T4 (Nav) 5d CVT Auto (2012/12) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
Don't even think about such a question.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Never think to ask.
Would you buy this car again and why?
Yes, if the dashboard technology on the 2012-on model was simplified. On the 2009-on model there are so many button presses on the sat nav, you've arrived before you've finished trying to figure it out. As for the voice vontrol - steal from the best - Ford/Jaguar. The Toyota is a 'why bother?' system.
What are you likely to buy next?
Despite everything, probably another Prius for smoothness and reliability but I'd fit those parking sensors and hope that Toyota realise the maxim: "never make difficult the things that are simple and always keep simple the things that are difficult". They'd then have an even better car.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Franchised
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£0
When did you buy the car?
September 2011
Did you get a good deal and why?
Yes
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Comfort and economy.
What was the dealer like?
Courteous, helpful.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Fine. About same as a 2-litre car. Engine a bit noisy under hard acceleration but that's because the previous silence is such a contrast. EV, PWR and Eco buttons too far out of eyeline to keep changing. Head-up display is great.
What's it like to park?
Easy as long as you don't try PArk Assist. My Toyota dealer tried for 30 mins and couldn't get it to function properly. His verdict: "Complete waste of space". Verdict on the TV camera: "better than nothing but no where as good as F&R sensors".
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
No
What's most practical about your car?
Ease of driving, hard drive music centre (no more CDs lying about the car).
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
The excess technology is maddening. I don't want to know my fuel consumption over the last 10 minutes nor reading 125 pages for the sat nav, nor 60 pages to use the park assist (useless except as a gimmick) nor the rear view camera which mists in the rain, the screen blocks out in the sun and looking at three mirrors and a screen is confusing. Front and rear parking sensors would have been better - and cheaper.
