Comments on: Prius Success Is All About Looks, Says Dan Ariely

By: Hal Howell

Hal Howell — Wed, 25 Aug 2010 05:47:41 +0000

I bought my Prius because it gets over 45 mpg on a regular basis and even better on the highway. I like its looks (2007) and the features it has. Since I have grave doubts about the so-called manmade global warming I didn’t buy it for the environment though I do appreciate it pollutes much less than other gas only cars. Lastly, I bought it because like most Toyotas, it will last a very long time before I need to trade it in.

By: Lynn Wyman

Lynn Wyman — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 18:11:19 +0000

I bought my 2010 Prius for great mileage, reliability of Toyotas, and good storage space (hatchback). I am in the middle of a 6000 mile trip around the U.S. and so far have documented 53 MPG total economy driving across deserts and mountains at freeway speeds and occasionally in cities. Even took a trip from Seattle up to mount Rainier total 150 miles and got a measured 56 mpg round trip. Computer usually reads 4% high but by comparing miles driven to gallons consumed I have verified the true mpg of this fantastic vehicle. This trip is with two adults and one child. A fill up is usually 9 gallons and at $3 a gallon amounts to $24 for about 470 miles. My previous vehicle (a Toyota Sienna van) got half the mileage of the prius on the highway but of course had more seating space but the size of our family fits well with the Prius. Around town, if I am careful with acceleration, I have received more than 60mpg. Great car.

By: GM

GM — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 01:59:50 +0000

I hate to be the one to tell you this, but somewhere your math is horribly wrong. If the Prius can muster anything close to 1,500 ft lbs of torque it would be quite capable of towing a semi truck at highway speeds and the Leaf could tow the same semi at much higher speeds. I have my doubts about a Prius having the power to do that – I’m just saying…

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 18 Jun 2010 20:22:41 +0000

Well said SRI. The only new car I’ve ever bought is my 2007 Prius. I’m 57 and have always owned stationwagons or hatchbacks. All I had to do was see the features and drive the prius and I was sold. If I ever have to replace this car it will be with another Prius.

By: Samie

Samie — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 20:46:09 +0000

Thanks usbseawolf2000

By: sri

sri — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 17:16:56 +0000

As I get older I am growing increasingly skeptical of these "experts". If we wanted to figure out why the prius is the best-selling hybrid, why didn't he spend some time inside one and looking at reviews, like most car buyers would, instead of trying to figure it out from the driver's faces.

The value of prius is easy to see as many people have pointed out already. If in-your-face hybrid look is all it takes, then the original insight would have been the best-seller (to some extent even the GM hybrids, with their prominent hybrid logos).

He is supposed to be an economist. If this is what a typical economist think like, no wonder we a re in a mess.

By: usbseawolf2000

usbseawolf2000 — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 03:43:06 +0000

Sammie,

Prius' gas engine makes 105 lbs-ft torque and the electric traction motor makes 153 lbs-ft.

You can't add them up because only 72% of the gas engine's torque goes out to the wheel through reduction gear (3.267 final gear ratio). The rest turn the generator (*).

The electric traction motor goes through two reduction gears. It first goes through 2.636 SRU and then the final gear.

Total torque at the wheel = (105 x 0.72) + (153 x 2.636) x 3.267 = 1,565 lbs-ft

EVs normally has about 10x final gear ratio. If the Leaf's motor torque is around 200 lbs-ft, we are looking at around 2,000 lbs-ft at the wheel.

(*) - Prius is 72% parallel and 28% series because the torque from the gas engine always split in this ratio. The amount of power that it splits depend on the speed of the generator (power = torque x rpm x constant). The less power the generator takes away, the more it goes to the wheel mechanically (think Civic hybrid). The more electricity it generates, the more it acts like the Volt.

By: Samie

Samie — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:08:12 +0000

usbseawolf2000 you can correct me if I am wrong but the 2010 Prius has 104-105 pound-feet of torque, that is overall torque. Not torque at the wheels and excluding different gear ratios. And what I can gather the Leaf will generate 206 or 214 pound-feet of torque. What I was commenting on was the acceleration from low to mid range speeds. Sorry I am not an engineer but I honestly feel that most Americans think horsepower not torque gives them zip & that is why electric vehicles will redefine what "power" means to most. Also for too long thanks to the muscle cars of the past, luxury vehicles,monster trucks & SUVs we put great importance on the V8 as a status symbol and belief that it is somehow the best... An example the V8 truck from what I can tell is not needed by most truck owners. They have better options in a diesel or V6 engine but the V8 somehow still symbolizes toughness and power.

By: usbseawolf2000

usbseawolf2000 — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:25:12 +0000

@Samie,

"The Leaf will double the torque of the Prius (pound-feet)."

Do you have source on it? Wonder if that's at the wheel or you are just comparing from traction motor.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 16:24:45 +0000

@Samie,

"The Leaf will double the torque of the Prius (pound-feet)."

Do you have source on it? Wonder if that's at the wheel or you are just comparing from traction motor.