Prius Plus

[B&J]

There's a review of the Prius Plus in today's Daily Telegraph. It's by Andrew English and he doesn't like it. Gives it two stars out of five.

I can't find an online copy of this yet - motoring articles do usually appear, so maybe it's just a bit too soon.

The online paper is here : http://www.telegraph.co.uk

B&J

[duncerduncs]

What did he not like?

If it's "it doesn't drive like a sports car" I'll scream...

[johalareewi]

Perhaps he's mates with JC?

[B&J]

What did he not like? If it's "it doesn't drive like a sports car" I'll scream...

It's still not onine, so, after grovelling about in the recycling bin . . . .

EXTRACTS

New Battery location gives more overall cabin space, but robs front seat storage room, though door bins are adequate amd there's a reasonable sized glove box. What's disappointing is the sheer flimsiness of some of the trim panesl on the facia, the dorr trims and seat catches.

Revamp of the steering rack ratio to suit the new car, the dampers have been reworked amd the hybrid system has a new exhaust heat recovery system to improve efficiency.

. . . hardly the last word in swift estates . . .

Steering lot better weighted and more direct that the standard Prius

It's the old MPV problem. You need seven seats but not all the time. And when you don't, you are tugging round a massive dipsomaniac gas guzzler with one passenger. Yet the Prius Plus doesn't really solve that problem. Its projected 57mpg fuel consumption isn't much better than a half decent diesel MPV and what's more the cabin doesn't feel man enough to act as a family troop carrier and it isn't that big, either. I, for one, wasn't impressed.

END EXTRACTS

2 stars out of 5.

SUNDAY TIMES

Headline - All the fun you'd expect - from a trolley

You were probably sitting there thinking it was not possible to make a Prius more dull than it already is. But this summer, Toyota is going to prove you wrong.

Blah blah blah

This, then is an MPV to admire more than love. . . . . Indeed, for those who buy it, it's probably more apt to criticise it for its cheap interior material, the likely high price and the fact that the location of the Battery means there is nowhere to put your sandwiches. So while the Prius+ is undoubtedly boring, it is also conspicuously effective. Which is just how owners will want it.

3 stars out of 5.

DON'T SHOOT THE MESSENGER!

B&J

[johalareewi]

Its projected 57mpg fuel consumption isn't much better than a half decent diesel MPV

Bet that will be a half decent manual diesel MPV.

These reviewers forget that Toyota Hybrids are automatic when doing mpg comparisions with diesels.

[Jan&tone]

Does anyone actually take any note of these idiots?

Do they actually think before they write their drivel?

[B&J]

OK - obviously the DT doesn't want people to have access to the current paper.

The article is now online and can be found here.

http://www.telegraph...ius-review.html

[duncerduncs]

I'm struggling to find another automatic MPV that'll do 57mpg and you pay no road tax on...

... I'm even struggling to find a MPV that'll do more than 57mpg and wont cost you 10p per litre more to fill up than the Prius +

Usual bias against Toyota

[Grumpy Cabbie]

OK, who here purchases their cars on magazine reviews?

Not one. I'm trying to think of all my friends and acquaintances who would be moved to spend thousands of pounds of their hard earned just on what a magazine says. Can't think of any.

I also know from experience that many many many people out there are interested in the Prius, like the smoothness and like the economy. Equally people won't buy one just because of these positives. They'll balance them against cost and the competition and unless Toyota over price the Prius + (which they seem to have a habit of at the moment), then it'll sell like hotcakes. Chances are they'll price it at £28,000 upwards and sell 300 a year to families in central London.

[timberwolf]

OK, who here purchases their cars on magazine reviews?

If I understand the question, then Yes, I have been influenced by reviews and I know people who've bought cars and I believe the main stream press and reviews helped them choose or justify the cars that they have bought - you can sometimes hear it in the way they talk about their cars especially if they talk about the "handling" :)