[Volt Cop]

I'm in the process of purchasing a new car and the Prius folks say I'd be better off with a Prius. I really like the Volt, but need your opinions.

 

[llninja]

I'm in the process of purchasing a new car and the Prius folks say I'd be better off with a Prius. I really like the Volt, but need your opinions.

My volt dashboard says 80 MPG. Prius doesn't even come close. (Mic drop)

 

[Steverino]

Let's see first, the Volt can go 50+ miles without using gas. For 80% of commuters, that means using no gas on their daily commute.

Then there is the Prius ugly factor. You can't drive the car while wearing a bag on your head. Without the bag, people will see you. In a fugly Prius. As the driver/owner.

 

[llninja]

Let's see first, the Volt can go 50+ miles without using gas. For 80% of commuters, that means using no gas on their daily commute.

Then there is the Prius ugly factor. You can't drive the car while wearing a bag on your head. Without the bag, people will see you. In a fugly Prius. As the driver/owner.

Agreed, the G4 Prius if fugly. It's a 2 nagger (does anyone remember the old 2 bagger joke?)

 

[Dark_Stang]

In my Volt I have used 8 gallons of gas in 2,400 miles. I'll only need to change my oil once every 2 years based on this trend.

 

[Joe in Maryland]

I've had 2 Pri (2008 and 2011) - both were great for my 160 mile daily commute and was very apprehensive going with a 'Chevy'. My 2016 uses about 5 gallons less fuel a week by only charging at home (4 day work week) and would be even better if I could charge at work. Do the math and see which works out best and don't forget that a (regular) Prius may not come with the Federal rebate. I have 30K on the 16 Volt so far with no issues - Love it - no regrets.

 

[DonC]

The Prius is very economical and very reliable but it's a crappy car. The ride on the second generation Volt is like a Mercedes C class. The ride on the Prius is like a Corolla. The Volt will get to 30 MPH about as fast as a base Tesla Model S. The Prius will get to 30 MPH in about the same time as a Corolla. So if you're looking at the Prius you might as well buy the Corolla and save a few bucks.

 

[Volt Cop]

The Prius is very economical and very reliable but it's a crappy car. The ride on the second generation Volt is like a Mercedes C class. The ride on the Prius is like a Corolla. The Volt will get to 30 MPH about as fast as a base Tesla Model S. The Prius will get to 30 MPH in about the same time as a Corolla. So if you're looking at the Prius you might as well buy the Corolla and save a few bucks.

I already have a 2014 Corolla. Just looking for opinions about the Volt vs. Prius. I love the Volt, but Prius is a little cheaper at the moment.

 

[OneMatt]

How much cheaper? Bigger battery in the Volt means less spent at the pump.

 

[Steverino]

I already have a 2014 Corolla. Just looking for opinions about the Volt vs. Prius. I love the Volt, but Prius is a little cheaper at the moment.

As long as we are only looking at the initial purchase price, incandescent bulbs are cheaper than LED's.

 

[Mister Dave]

Let's see first, the Volt can go 50+ miles without using gas. For 80% of commuters, that means using no gas on their daily commute.

Big win!!

Then there is the Prius ugly factor. You can't drive the car while wearing a bag on your head. Without the bag, people will see you. In a fugly Prius. As the driver/owner.

Agreed, the G4 Prius if fugly. It's a 2 nagger (does anyone remember the old 2 bagger joke?)

I'm not in love with Gen 2, though I admit most of the lines are good. Cheap plastics on the rear and that stupid grin are the low spots.

But Japan has taken fugly to a new level never before seen. My neighbor just got a new Honda CUV and I was shocked that they didn't FUBAR that one.

 

[O'Dell]

I had a 2004 and a 2007 Prius. I owned them for a combined 10+ years and drove them 140K. Unless the built quality has improved a lot, and I mean a LOT, I would never buy another. Sure, I got an overall average of 60+ MPG, but I also had to put up with the poor handling, rattles, repairs, and noise. [three engine water pumps on the 2007 and two out of warranty plus some injector problems] My 2017 Volt is solid, handles reasonably well, and is as quiet as a church. In addition, I've had the Volt for four months and over 900 miles, and have yet to burn a drop of gas except for maintenance burns.

 

[Barry]

Prius:
A little Cheaper if buying new.
One of the most reliable cars
MPG in low 50s
Never have to plug it in
"Cred" as a tree hugger

Volt:
My mpg is 220. Can use almost no gas.
Better responsiveness and handling
Better ride
$7500 federal tax credit
Additional state credits for some states
Low maintenance:
Oil change every 2 years
Probably never need a brake job
Little else to maintain
Save enough on gas, maintenance to justify price diff.
Or get one used and pay less to purchase and own.
Almost never have to go to the nasty gas station
Styling is sporty, not nerdy
"Cred" as an environmentalist, or just as a guy who likes tech and a nice car.
HOV lane access
State of the art technology
Diversity of fuel sources. If either one is in shortage, use the other.
A hedge against gas price shocks.
Can tell your kids you did your best to leave them a habitable world.

I am not a Prius basher. It is a great car. Better than almost every other car. Just not the Volt. Can't go too wrong either way, really.

Please tell us the reasons the Prius guys told you that is the better car so we can address their points.

I will concede the Prius will use a little less gas under certain use cases, but they have to be pretty uncommon and extreme. Like you have essentially no access to charging or you drive a couple hundred miles a day with no destination charging. Also, if you have an extremely high electric rate and no option for a time of use plan, it could cost more to charge than gas up. At least until gas gets high.

 

[jeff_h]

But Japan has taken fugly to a new level never before seen.

You can say that again! I had a golden brown Prius that we called the rolling taco due to its shape... I don't know what I would call the latest Prius, but it wouldn't be good.

 

[Volt Cop]

Ok, since you asked. Here is a few of the Prius owners comments. These are not my opinions, just a copy and paste of their comments. Actually, several of them defended the Volt.
Here goes:

I considered a Volt, but chose the Prius Eco instead. Why? My commute is 95% highway, 70+ mph, 225-230 miles round trip daily, with no place to plug in at work. So I'd make it less than 1/4 of my daily drive on electricity, then the gas engine would kick in. The Volt gets in the low 40s on the highway, and I'm averaging about 51 mpg.

Add in the purchase price difference, and over time, the Chevy would cost me more. And that doesn't even include the cost of electricity.

I didn't consider the Volt for very long. I didn't even test drive one. When I was shopping, the Prius was far and away my first choice. My number one consideration was gas mileage. My second consideration was reliability

first of all, these are two completely different cars, and the choice should be easy.
but there are three important things imo:
1) interior room, front, rear and hatch.
2) typical driving patterns, are 50 miles of ev something you want and can well take advantage of, or would 54 mpg be better for you.
3) after a good long test drive of each, which did you like better?

Well the Gen4 is closer to 20-ft3 more space than Volt, with much more space in the rear seats and cargo.
In that case, consider the Prime plug-in as a better compromise between a Gen4 and a Volt.

I think the big problem with the Volt is the quality of the build. I remember watching a few reviews and even after a year, screws and other things were beginning to rust. I have had an issue with my previous Prius "C" but it was covered under warranty and there was no hassle.

I think it is a no brainer if you ask me. However it does depend on how you drive, where you drive but I'd probably still buy a Prius Prime if I were choosing between that and a Volt...

The main reason I went with a Prius was Toyota reliability over GM. My personal experiences. I will sacrifice bells and whistles over a "gee, we're not sure what is wrong with your car, but we will at least get it running" or "yeah I know your car is only 2 years old, but that part isn't covered under warranty and is a special order" type stuff I have been through it and I hated it. No issues like this with Toyota.

 

[ghostgs1]

Our volts have been totally trouble free, no repairs required. Maintenance has been oil and filter every two years, because of age and tire rotations. Gas mileage is 40-41 on the highway and much higher in suburban driving. Electric costs would be equal to 3 cents a mile for us at 10.9 cents per kWh, except it is free with our solar panels. These are nice driving cars, very smooth on long trips and pretty quiet, though the Goodyear tires are noisy. Handling is pretty good, not a sports car, but very predictable. Brakes take some getting used to, but they are plenty good. Prius may be a decent car, I was considering them until the Volt came out. I am happy with my choice. I can't get past the looks of the new Prius, good for a laugh when I see one!

 

[viking79]

Odds are better that the Prius will be more reliable, but the Volt is still pretty average.


The Volt is basically an electric car without range anxiety. The Prius always burns gas.

The Prius is an incredibly dull car, but reliable.

The Volt offers more excitement and max power in EV mode.

Drive both and see what you like. You can probably get a Volt much less than MSRP, and depending on tax situation you might get some incentives back at tax time. You are paying for all electric range and higher power motors, etc.

 

[Mister Dave]

Ok, since you asked. Here is a few of the Prius owners comments. These are not my opinions, just a copy and paste of their comments. Actually, several of them defended the Volt.
Here goes:

I considered a Volt, but chose the Prius Eco instead. Why? My commute is 95% highway, 70+ mph, 225-230 miles round trip daily, with no place to plug in at work. So I'd make it less than 1/4 of my daily drive on electricity, then the gas engine would kick in. The Volt gets in the low 40s on the highway, and I'm averaging about 51 mpg.

Add in the purchase price difference, and over time, the Chevy would cost me more. And that doesn't even include the cost of electricity.

I didn't consider the Volt for very long. I didn't even test drive one. When I was shopping, the Prius was far and away my first choice. My number one consideration was gas mileage. My second consideration was reliability

first of all, these are two completely different cars, and the choice should be easy.
but there are three important things imo:
1) interior room, front, rear and hatch.
2) typical driving patterns, are 50 miles of ev something you want and can well take advantage of, or would 54 mpg be better for you.
3) after a good long test drive of each, which did you like better?

Well the Gen4 is closer to 20-ft3 more space than Volt, with much more space in the rear seats and cargo.
In that case, consider the Prime plug-in as a better compromise between a Gen4 and a Volt.

I think the big problem with the Volt is the quality of the build. I remember watching a few reviews and even after a year, screws and other things were beginning to rust. I have had an issue with my previous Prius "C" but it was covered under warranty and there was no hassle.

I think it is a no brainer if you ask me. However it does depend on how you drive, where you drive but I'd probably still buy a Prius Prime if I were choosing between that and a Volt...

The main reason I went with a Prius was Toyota reliability over GM. My personal experiences. I will sacrifice bells and whistles over a "gee, we're not sure what is wrong with your car, but we will at least get it running" or "yeah I know your car is only 2 years old, but that part isn't covered under warranty and is a special order" type stuff I have been through it and I hated it. No issues like this with Toyota.

Well, you'd get the same owner bias here or anywhere. The only one that works for me is the mileage comment. If mileage matters to you (you drive similar distances daily) then Prius might be your car.

I just can't get into a fugly car, much less buy one. If my choice was Prius or walk to work I'd take it. There are so many other choices (this isn't the USSR - Trabant), plugin or otherwise. I might take my neighbor's Honda HR-V, but I think I'd lean toward the Trax if I wasn't going plugin.

My other car is a Silverado...........

 

[Mr X]

Dorkmobile

Vs.

Batmobile

 

[wws]

If you drove a _lot_ of highway miles every day, you might save a few dollars on gas with the Prius. But in almost every other way, the Volt is a better car.