I've been renting a 2010 Toyota Prius for my disturbingly long commute to work (100-130 miles round trip depending on which office), and have actually been somewhat impressed with this 3rd gen model; they've improved alot of the things that were crappy about the first two gens. I've been averaging about 44MPG in the dense 10 degree air of Chicago in January without even trying to drive in an mpg-friendly manner, which is a godsend because I still have to pay for gas. It's intentionally dead slow in Eco Mode, to start the car moving under battery power only, but in Power Mode it's rather quick off the line thanks to the electric motors assisting the engine.
While it understeers like a pig on an ice rink, the traction control is kind of interesting. I tested it out on a backroad corner near my house that I like to slide around in winter (no salting!)... I purposely missed the corner, locked the brakes, and cranked the wheel in the direction of the turn. Instead of understeering until my speed burned off enough to turn, it used the brakes independently to purposely induce oversteer and point the car in the direction of my steering input. Maybe that's the way other systems work too, but I've never experienced it and thought it was kinda cool.
A more detailed review of some of the other neat options is here.
While it understeers like a pig on an ice rink, the traction control is kind of interesting. I tested it out on a backroad corner near my house that I like to slide around in winter (no salting!)... I purposely missed the corner, locked the brakes, and cranked the wheel in the direction of the turn. Instead of understeering until my speed burned off enough to turn, it used the brakes independently to purposely induce oversteer and point the car in the direction of my steering input. Maybe that's the way other systems work too, but I've never experienced it and thought it was kinda cool.
A more detailed review of some of the other neat options is here.
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