2008 Toyota Prius Preview
I can’t post it here, but you can see the artist’s rendition over at World Car Fans. So what’s the big deal? Well, lots actually. The 2008 Prius will look very similar to the current Prius, but with a more futuristic - type design, if that makes any sense. The front end looks similar to the Honda FCX fuel-cell car, at least to my eyes. I think it’s a welcome change - I hate the current Prius look. I don’t love the new one, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Alright, enough about looks - what about under the hood? Glad you asked. Toyota’s not asleep at the wheel; in fact, they’ve made some very impressive changes to the Prius. For starters, there’s now a 1.8 liter 4 banger powering this little green-mobile, instead of the current 1.5 liter. Toyota performed some sort of voodoo on the Hybrid Synergy Drive, and they expect city gas mileage to hit an insane 80 MPG. Whether this is on the current EPA cycle, or the new one, I’m not sure.
Perhaps the most exciting offerings are still up in the air. Word is that Toyota is considering both a plugin recharging option ( we’ve been asking for this for a long time ) or even solar panels on the roof, to help recharge the batteries. Personally, I think solar panels would do absolute wonders for the Prius, if for reputation only. Toyota is working hard to be the ‘green’ automaker ( Tundra and Sequoia aside ) , and solar technology would be a huge boost there.
I love to see advances in hybrid technology. While I don’t yet own one, there may come a day in the next few years where I do. I wouldn’t mind getting 80 MPG - would you?
I hadn’t heard about the long brake distances though - but with the tires the way they are, it does make sense now that I think about it.
I have a Honda Insight, and my average over the 12,000 miles since I bought it is >71mpg (mileage is poorer over the winter, and I have been learning how to drive it better). Some other Insight owners get better mpg than I.
It baffles me that car enthusiasts are unaware that 80mpg technology already exists.
I am aware of the Insight, and it’s marvelous capabilities. People have been pulling incredible MPG numbers from that car for awhile now - some average in the 90 MPG area - with bursts over 100 MPG.
However, even preferring Honda to Toyota myself, I think the 2008 Prius is a more significant vehicle. The Insight, for all it’s mileage prowess, had anemic performance, only seats 2, and reportedly had issues in crosswinds ( I never had the pleasure of driving one, so I can’t confirm ). The 08 Prius will have better performance, and of course seats 5 ( four comfortably ). For anyone with a family or children, the backseat is an absolute necessity.
Plus, if the EPA rates the new Prius at 80 MPG, just think about what sort of numbers you could get out of it - you could probably average 100 on a regular basis once you learn it.
Toyota does say the 2008 Prius will have more power than the current one with a 1.8 liter engine instead of 1.3 and more battery power too.City mileage should be especially miproved as the car will be able to travel much farther without having the gas engine come on.
Honda is working on a new very small hybrid which will may be a two seater update of the Insight with a different name.
There aren’t any hard details like that just yet, though if I had to make an educated guess, I’d say that the power driver’s seat would be available as an option.
Hanna
Out of curiousity - how tall are you? Just want to know how tall is too tall for the Prius.
I would love to buy a Toyota Sienna Hybrid!!!
Surfing the Internet, I read conflicting news. A few sites contend that the 2008 model has little change, and one might wait for the 2010 for a significant third-generation model.
Some others, including this forum, predicts that the 2008 model will be a new third generation w/ mileage up to 80MPG.
What to believe? Issue here is should I buy the 2007 model (the is expected to arrive the dealership the last week of August. Incidentally, the offered price is very competitive only $300 above invoice price (based on my Internet search). Please advise.
It seems the issue is still a bit up in the air. I went into more detail in this post , which talks about battery concerns. At this point I’d say the 2008 will probably be the same / very similar to the 2007. The 2009 should be the big change, if they can get the battery issues squared away.
Thanks for the quick feedback. I am just a little bit surprise about the fact that, for most brands and model, the 2008 models are now known to prospective buyers… and there is so much speculation on the 2008 Prius.
I think you are right in that there would be little change in th 2008 model, when compared to its 2997 predecessors. With a significant discount (9.5% over invoice), I think I am getting a good deal in a car that has yet to be made. I think by now, Toyota should have fixed all the fixable and minor flaws the second generation model has.
Tom
I think now would be a fine time to pick up a new Prius. Their resale value is pretty strong, so if you decide to trade up to the next generation in 09, it shouldn’t hurt too bad. Congrats on joining the hybrid club.
opinion is a change in the rear view window not to have the bar split
effect across the back to interfere with the view.We have driven the
Prius from Quartzite, Az. to Los Angeles and back on the same tank I
believe 546 miles with a gallon to spare, or tops 59.6 mpg.
I still can’t get on board with the Prius styling, but nearly 60 “real world” MPG is just so dang impressive from a car that can hold 5 people and a bunch of stuff. Congrats on a very smart purchase, and hopefully the new Prius will be that much better.
I really want to buy a Prius, but I want a “PLUG-IN” Prius!
I keep hoping next year’s model will be a “Plug-in” version, but every year I’m dissappointed…
Does anyone know if Toyota EVER plans on making their Prius a “plug-in???”
I’ve heard rumors about the 2009 model and other rumors about 2010.
What is the truth?
Thanks!
George
thanks a lot.
are considering but I don’t know if it will be only used as a back up or totally plug in. We personally like our 2005 Prius and were owners of an Avalon, we are also waiting to see if there will be more versions. Also in
the planning is solar.
Thanks!
George
TIA!
George
Considering that dealers are actually dealing on new 2007 Priuses, now still might not be a bad time for an upgrade. Especially since the model change won’t happen until 2009 - I’d say go for it. By the time the ‘09 is out, you’ll probably be ready to upgrade again
See for example, http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070725/sc_afp/japanautocompanyenvironmenttoyota_070725074433
Well, I guess it would take at least 2 or more years to get it to the public.
Tom
But only 13 km (that’s about 8 miles) on a plug-in hybrid Prius is pretty pathetic…..
Any plug-in hybrid car MUST achieve at least 30 to 40 miles on electric motor only.
George
I’m hesitant to switch from a Highlander V6 to the Prius and losing acceleration power. How powerful is the Prius when going uphill on a highway?
Please help. I’m so close to converting…
It would probably add maybe $20 or $30 bucks to the cost of the car…….
I’m sure Toyota is probably more concerned about their image if suddenly their cars started catching fire.
But think about it….. In the winter, a Plug-in Prius car owner could use the heat created by his batteries to heat his car!
George
I want a good plug-in hybrid with li-ion batteries as much as anyone. Even a 30 mile range would get me to work and back, and out for lunch if need be, all without using a drop of gas. I’m amazed by the prospect of that.
But launching the technology before it’s ready would do two things. One, it would damage Toyota’s reputation, which is already hurting these days. Two, it could turn Americans off of the technology alltogether, which coulc take years or decades to resolve. Just look at diesels - only now is the stigma starting to lift.
I live about four or five miles from work, so I average about 12 to 20 miles a day in my car.
How terrific would it be if millions of folks like me, almost never used gasoline???
Maybe we would use a little gasoline on weekends or vacations and such, but during the work week? Never!
America “could” become energy independent!
George
but it never seemed like any car company was interested in the technology,
until GM came out with the EV-1.
My friend leased an EV-1 from 1998 til GM made him return it in 2002.
I drove the EV-1 in 1999 and LOVED it, but it wasn’t available in my state.
George
Ever since I have never driven to work on a regular basis. Either walking or, more frequently, bicycling instead. I have watched as co-workers have driven to work from as little as 4 blocks away and husband and wife commuting to work at eh same place in separate SUV’s!
Now the chickens are coming home to roost in the form of higher gas prices.
Mike: Congrats on the lifestyle change you made early on. Ideally we should all do things the way you do, but most of us aren’t ready to make such drastic changes yet. I know I can’t see myself biking to work every day.. but I’m sure it would do wonders for my health!
your bank account is probably FATTER and your waistline is definitely SKINNER.
The reverse can most assuredly be said about that couple…..
George
Honestly, it is hands-down the best documentary I have ever seen!
Your jaws will hit the floor when you see what big oil and big auto did.
They started killing the EV-1 program the moment the Bush Administration
took control in early 2001!
George
My next door neighbor has TWO Chevy Suburbans. And the government gave him a tax break to buy them becasue he claims to use them for work.He’s a mortgage broker. So he could use a Prius if he has to drive to meet clients.
I can’t wait until the small business tax break is fixed for large vehicles. Business who legitimately NEED large vehicles should get the tax break ( think construction workers who need a large diesel truck ). Mortgage brokers have no functional NEED for a Suburban. If they choose to own one, good for them - they should not get the tax break, period.
The vehicle choice should be reasonable for the line of work. A hybrid would be great, but if they chose to get something a bit larger, like say an Accord or a Malibu, then I think that should qualify as well. The IRS needs to have very strict guidelines on what does and what does not qualify, based on the nature of the business. The US government should not be supporting our wastefulness. If we choose to be wasteful, it should come out of our own pockets.
John
FWIW, the Civic Hybrid still has a tax credit available, though it will start dropping Jan 1, 2008.
I appreciate your feedback,
Marjorie
When I first bought my Civic Hybrid, I thought the seat was on the uncomfortable side… but a week later and I was used to it. Now it feels fine… sometimes it’s just a matter of adjusting, though obviously not always ( in the case of your Corolla, for example ).
Maybe you should get a little seat time in the Civic Hybrid to see if you feel more comfortable in there.
Tons of new technology. I think we must have the first one in North Texas. Bought it in Paris, Texas. Great dealer. No hassle.
My wife loves the car.
Different than what you’re used to, or different than the 07 Prius? There shouldn’t be any significant differences between the 07 and 08 Prius - the big changes are due for 2009 now.
Congrats on the new car by the way, and great choice.
Still, the only car that can be “tricked out” to get better gas mileage. I like it. Worth the trade in. I fill up every 12 to 14 days. Not bad. My last vehicle? I filled up every week. And cost almost twice as much!
I’d give a thumbs up to the Toyota Prius. I’m over 6 feet tall. I have leg and head room. Awesome stereo system. The back seats have lots of leg room. And the touch display screen and unusual ignition key? Is standard for this car! The mag wheels are cool too!
Not bad for $21,000.00! (Total price on standard model.) I didn’t get the back up camera or DVD player…
I didn’t know it during the test drive, but after I got delivery of the vehicle, I gave up after about 800km. I traded the Prius in at a loss of $7000. I couldn’t walk, could never get comfortable in the seat, and Toyota offered no solutions at all. I considered putting in other seats, but didn’t want to take the risk.
DON’T buy Prius without testing it for at least a week!!!
The thing has plenty of features and picked it up for 21,000 + change.
I am very excited more than when I bought my Tundra V8 (sucks gas). Gas could go up to just about any price and we leave less of a carbon footprint owning a Prius, and along with our bio-diverse permaculture gardens we feel like we are living large. Also there are lots of different touch screen funtions on the dash menu including the radio, operating screen (shows what parts of electric and fuel are engaged at real time), and even the temperature control.