[llninja]

So the volt beats the Prius on this trip and blows away the Prius on a normal city commute. So why are people still buying priuses (prii?). Alas for a trip like yours, instead of taking 2 economy cars, I would have taken my Suburban. Screw fuel economy, I'm going for comfort and space for the kids and cargo - one driver vs. two - family bonding time in the vehicle.

 

[llninja]

Toyota brand image and their legendary reliability ... GM/Chevy is still considered a lumbering stumbling old car company that makes unreliable low-quality vehicles. They did win the most awards for Initial Quality in the last few years but perceptions die hard!

Plus this legendary stereotype

https://youtu.be/P9ydRy4TkEw

And comparing a hummer to a Prius

https://youtu.be/scHApkp8AjI

 

[llninja]

"But the EPA says... " That's why. That's all they got to go on. Just like the EPA says the Model S is 265 watt-hours per mile, and the Volt 360. But each owners' group know the EPA figures are a lie. And not in the same direction.

Fro the price of a new model S I can much 3 or 4 Volts for what I paid for my new volt. Or I buy one volt and have enough leftover to pay for a lifetime of fuel.

 

[llninja]

EPA should redo the Prius tests with a kayak on the roof.

Or revoke its car status... just like Pluto is no longer a planet.

 

[llninja]

What kind of fuel economy do you get in the Suburban? If you get close to the mid 20's mpg you are better off fuel use to take one Suburban than you are taking two economy cars.

Keith

Well, my Suburban as a 454 cu inch big block V8 and a bigger rear transaxle for towin so I'm lucky to get 10-14 mpg. But a newer suburban might get 21 mpg on a good day with the wind behind you back, downhill, both ways. But as the OP mentioned, there was a different reason to take two cars - gotta love eating salmon.