Toyota Prius Plus (2012 - 2020) 1.8 VVTi T4 (Nav) 5d CVT (2013/13) 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?
It says that I put saving a pound from the inland revenue way above any driving enjoyment.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Most find it a baffling choice as there are superior cars out there. The real life consumption is a shocker. In town it's a pass, regular longer trips and it's a major fail. 35 litre tank equates to a nervous driver after 250 miles!
Would you buy this car again and why?
The CVT gearbox is horrendous, the paintwork is thin, the plastics are cheap, the fuel tank is small, the seat squabs are short, the steering wheel isn't round (oval shaped nonsense), it's not that economical, it has little torque for accelerating, and contrary to what you may read elsewhere the thin glass ensures you know what speed you are doing without a speedo. No longer in the ultra low emissions bands. Wouldn't consider another at any cost for doing miles in.
What are you likely to buy next?
Mercedes Benz C350e....CO2 below 50g. circa 20 mile range on electric up to 80 mph. Volkswagen Golf GTE... CO2 below 40g. circa 20 mile range on electric. For information Prius is 90+ CO2...2 mile range and below 30mph on batteries.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Didn't buy from a dealer
Did you buy this car new?
Yes
What price did you pay?
£0
When did you buy the car?
July 2013
Did you get a good deal and why?
Leased vehicle that has been main dealer maintained.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
Chose as company car for low emissions.
What was the dealer like?
Dealer has been efficient and in addition has provided a complimentary vehicle during servicing and always washed the outside of vehicle and at times hoovered inside.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
Solo it drives fine most of the time. Load it with the family, show it a gradient or wanting to make some progress and it's a fail....cvt gearbox whines, engine revs, pace is slow, leans on it's door handles and skinny tyres struggle. Found seat squabs to be too short for longer journeys. Interior plastics are horrible and mark just being looked at. The exterior paint is similar, i've never had a car with so many stone chips.
What's it like to park?
Parking is easy. rear view camera and parking sensors should and do make life easy however... the damn car beeps all the time that reverse is selected, you then have on top of, or below that the beeping of the parking sensors...to such an extent that one distracts from the other, its madness.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
The car has been as reliable as I was expecting. Never requiring anything other than routine servicing. Nothing has failed and I have clocked in excess of 110,000 miles so far.
What's most practical about your car?
Car is well equipped with large boot. Very generous legroom in back....more than a previous Mondeo Est. Heads-up display and satnav very convenient.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
Keyless entry. & auto switching from battery to engine and off again when parked / in traffic. Rear parking camera for the tightest of spaces.
