Susan Frissell, www.womenwithwheels.com
Easily recognizable, the 2014 Toyota Prius Hybrid HB looks much as it did in 2004. Now in its eleventh year, the Prius is by far the best-selling hybrid on the market. What is new in the last couple of years are additions to the family; Prius V, Prius C (subcompact, wagon, plug-in hybrid). However, most sales go to the classic hatchback 5-door model.
Often referred to as a ‘woman’s car,’ the Prius liftback accounts for about one in five cars in and around Chicago’s metropolitan area. Its sloping shape helps fuel economy, and its two-part split rear window and domed profile give it away. It is hard to tell the difference between the Prius plug-in and the hybrid-only model, except for the larger battery pack, rechargeable on wall currents. Trim is somewhat different and of course, the charge-port door on the right rear fender gives it away.
The standard Prius Plug-In Hybrid uses a 1.3-kilowatt-hour nickel metal hybrid battery pack, while the Prius HB uses a 4.3-kilowatt lithium-ion pack that gives it 11 miles of electric range on the EPA test.
Only six miles of that range is continuous because the engine switches on at least once to power the car even though there is energy left in the pack.
The newer Prius C and Prius V are much better to look at, more stylish and perhaps a tad more practical. The C subcompact and the V wagon are rated at just about 50 mpg combined (the wagon, closer to 42 mpg).
Our test Prius came well-equipped, the HB 5, top of the line in this model. Upon entering the car, we were addressed by a speaker warning of inclement weather. Surprised us. The number of options on our test Prius HB Five brought the car up to $37,267. Almost $7,500 worth of options!!
The Prius cabin hasn’t changed dramatically and is less than luxurious (even at the $37,000 price tag), but it is spacious, front and rear. Four adults can comfortably fit, and a fifth could be squeezed in, putting the Prius HB in the midsize car category. The front seats are a tad thin, not much padding and not real comfortable , although serviceable.
The Prius power plant includes a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motor-generators, the Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain, and 134 horsepower. The car is powered solely on electricity up to 30 mph, and electric torque supplements torque from the engine. The battery recharges during regeneration braking or engine overrun.
With more experience building hybrids than any other automotive manufacturer, Toyota generally gets it right. Toyota’s ability to blend the regenerative braking with the conventional friction brakes is excellent, however, it does take some getting used to. At first, the brakes seem jerky but once you’re in the car for awhile, you understand the feel of hybrid braking.
Driving a Prius for the first time is a different experience. Once driver’s become accustomed to how it moves forward-at times without anything the driver does-and how the hybrid system continuously adjusts the power sources, it feels well, kind of interesting. It is a unique experience in some ways from driving a conventional automobile. Don’t expect to have much feel when handling the steering wheel; it’s rather numb. The car seems to just drive itself, navigating all manner of roads, traffic and speeds. The driver is just a passenger, or so it sometimes seems.
Safety equipment abounds, as expected. The Prius has seven airbags, available adaptive cruise, rearview camera, lane-departure warning system, Intelligent Parking Assist and a Safety Connect system that notifies help in the event of an accident. The Prius HB is rated IIHS Top Safety Pick. Anti-lock brakes, tire-pressure monitor, Elect Brake Force Distribution, side curtain airbags and driver’s knee airbag, VSC and TRAC all ensure a very safe vehicle.
Four trim levels are available in the Prius HB hybrid: Two, Three, Four and Five. Our test vehicle, a Five included just about most amenities. Touch Tracer controls situated on the steering wheel assist drivers to navigate the menus on the display without taking their hands off the wheel. The Prius Four and Five begin at $30,000, inching up as options are added.
Little has changed on the 2014 Prius HB, other than a few modifications to the frontend, and the addition of LED daytime running lights. The display of information is now loaded with more information, on a somewhat small screen in the center of the IP, behind the steering wheel. There are so many icons, graphs, numbers that one can become confused. Unique to the Prius, however, are its shift knob and ‘flying buttress’ center console that elongates from the dash.
Hard plastic makes up the cabin, and the seating isn’t the most comfortable on long trips. The cabin is spacious, making for a fair amount of elbow room. However, the interior of the Prius HB seems dated and low budget. Especially with a price tag hovering just over $37,000, one expects a little extra. Technology is more 21st century and includes a Remote Touch controller to control icons on the nav screen.
Fuel economy on the 2014 Toyota Prius HB has increased. The EPA rates gas mileage for the hatchback at 51/49 mpg., giving it a combined 50 mpg. Depending on how someone drives the car, and where, the gas mileage can be in the high 30s from the mid-or-upper 40s. Under most driving, the car is very quiet, you barely know it’s running. Noise and vibration are minimal. For everyday drives, the Prius is excellent; but don’t expect ‘performance,’ handling or anything that might require real driving skills.
The Prius provides an ‘Eco’ mode and an ‘EV’ mode that allows the car to run on energy from the battery pack until its 1-mile or so of low-speed electric range is gone. If you’ve got a lead foot, mileage will suffer and you’ll switch into gasoline mode. When driving from Chicago to Vermont last year, the Prius averaged around 48 mpg., and that is not a hard and fast figure. We estimated a guess and utilized the gas engine a good part of the driving. Even so, it was practical. And the amount we hauled inside was impressive.
Driver’s can adjust their height, making this a good size vehicle for most size drivers, although tall people may be cramped for knee room. Highway driving is quiet and comfortable as the car just hums along. This isn’t a vehicle you want to drive hard; rather, it is best for around town if one wants to enjoy its positive attributes.
Pricing remains the same for 2014; the two begins at $24,200; the Three, $26,765; Four, $28,435 and Five, $30,005. Delivery is $810. Prices have risen since 2014 since the introduction of the Prius C which is now the least expensive Prius model, starting at just under $20,000. The Prius HB hybrid plug-in had its pricing reduced between $2000-$4,600.
All Prius models have standard power windows/mirrors, cruise, AM/FM/XM/CD audio, Bluetooth, a 6.1-inch display screen, iPod and USB connectivity. Moving into the Prius Three gets you the backup camera, navigation, and an upgraded audio. Toyota’s Entune multimedia system is also built in. Entune enables applications of Bing and Pandora.
If you just have to have such options as heated seats, or leather, you must opt for at least the Prius Four. The Five adds LED lamps, larger 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic lights, 8-way power adjustable drivers’ seat with power lumbar support and optional split-screen capability in the 7-inch nav display.
Our test Prius Five came equipped with the 17-inch split alloy wheels ($1,599); first aid kit ($29); illuminated door sills ($279) and carpet floor mats/trunk mat ($225). In addition, it also came with the optional Advanced Technology Package at a whopping $4,320.
For those who must have a solar roof, it comes in a package which uses photovoltaic cells in a glass panel to generate electric current. Fans draw the heat out of the cabin while the car is parked. Another option includes remote starting for the A/C.
Having driven the Prius hatchback several times in the last two years, we found this time to be the most enjoyable, leaning closer, perhaps, to being a convert. Although it is hard to imagine driving anything but a car with the conventional engine-and power-the Prius is a satisfactory daily driver.
SPECS
MSRP: $30,005; total vehicle price $37,267, destination $810
Engine: Hybrid Synergy Drive System, AT-PZEV, 1.8-liter 1-4 cylinder, DOHC, 16-valve, VVT, 98 hp., EV/ECO power modes
Transmission: 2-speed CVT with OD
Wheelbase: 106.3 in.
Length: 176.4 in.
Width: 59.8 in.
Height: 58.7 in.
Weight; 3,042 lbs.
Warranty: 3 yr./36,000-mile basic; ;unlimited corrosion; 5 yr./60,000-mile drivetrain; 8 yr./100,00-mile hybrid components;; 2 yr./25,000-mile maintenance; 2 yr./25,000-mile roadsid assistance.
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