Toyota Prius 1.8 HSD Lounge

The Toyota Prius + is the version of "family" world's best selling hybrid car, increased both in length and height, but also has 7 seats and a luggage compartment which if necessary can accommodate 1,750 liters of cargo. To create the first hybrid families Toyota engineers have developed with Panasonic lithium batteries that weigh 34 kg and steal just a little 'placed between the two front seats. All the rest is dedicated to the load and the habitability for 5 people, expandable to 6 or 7 passengers in case of need. Curiosity about this unusual type of "wagon electrified" led us to try out the richest and equipped, the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge which has a list price of 32,200 euro basis. It was a test a little 'longer than average, avendoci engaged for almost 2,500 km, but to fully understand the spirit of this Prius really need to drive it.

MODERN DESIGN
It is often said that the first impression is what counts in the case of the Prius + it is probably even more true. We must say that it is difficult to fall in love with edgy design of the Toyota Prius and a first look tends to leave indifferent fans of "nice cars", but this is not its main purpose. Its beauty is indeed in other eyes, those of those seeking spacious car for the family, ecological and low power consumption. In reality, the hybrid style is modern throughout, with the front and gritty "frowning" that echoes the design of the new Yaris and Auris. The complex headlights with LED daytime running lights and large vertical taillights go along with blued details typical of Toyota hybrid and contribute to a good overall design is complete, in the case of the test car, the rims 17 "ten-spoke. Only the rear looks a bit 'unbalanced and out of the general design language, but overall the forms "elongated hatchback" are original.

SPACESHIP SPACE FOR 7 PEOPLE
The same is also evident in the original, that for the less accustomed to the hybrid Toyota-Lexus can be almost futuristic. In the face of the instrument panel to the raised center of the dashboard and a lever of the automatic transmission that can bring a smile to their form and color blue, but there is the simple quality of the materials that we have used the Japanese. The Toyota Prius 1.8 HSD + Lounge is in fact equipped with various plastic finish and color who tend to do more of their function to satisfy the senses of the passengers. Door panels, dashboard, seats and sky are well made and sturdy, but those looking for frills elegant finishes or "chic" here is confused. Space on board is wide and the height for the head always abundant, and to give further light passenger thinks twice panoramic roof made of plastic. The driver has at its disposal a steering wheel design unconvincing and a series of more than 50 buttons that can be confusing. Too bad because the driving position is well designed and comfortable, although the seats prove a bit 'hard. The seats are uncomfortable and harder but those reserved for the occupants of the second row, they have available seats also widely adjustable backrest inclination, but thin and slightly padded. The luggage compartment accessible from the large hatch is large and well exploited in setting up 5 places, but if you are traveling in 7 is reduced to a small room where to put coats and handbags.

JUST YOU AND PROFITABLE go along with 4.8 L/100 KM
The futuristic aspect of the bridge, however, is just a taste of that very special way of driving which requires the Prius +. Only those who go to Toyota or Lexus hybrid can indeed understand what it means to adapt to the style of driving a car instead of imposing their own way of doing. The structure is well balanced and secure the steering is adequate, braking is powerful, but it all comes to the driver in a filtered, remote-controlled, as you were in command of a ship rather than behind the wheel of a car. The driving behavior of the Prius +, just like the Prius sister, delete any ambition sport and sends a feedback really muffled what is the state of the asphalt, the traveling speed or the triggering of an almost non-existent roll. Traveling the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge appears almost heavy, with a soft structure supported by a steering equally soft, but with little feeling and well away from any idea of ​​sportsmanship. It is this distance from any emotion driving may be for some the most difficult psychological hurdle to overcome, but for those seeking calm and pace "risparmiosa" is hard to find better. As for energy saving, the Toyota Prius HSD + 1.8 Lounge is indeed a first class, making forgive the lack of emotion with great satisfaction at the gas pump. In the course of our long test on a mixed route, the Prius + has scored an average consumption of 4.8 l/100 km in Eco mode, very good considering the 7 seats available and the tonnage of the car that exceeds 1,500 kg. Applicandoci virtuous in driving style "economy run" in suburban locations than a hundred kilometers we got a minimum consumption of 3.6 l/100 km, while driving with no particular qualms about traffic is difficult to consume more than 6.0 l/100 km. Always lower the distance in purely electric mode EV, rarely more than 1 km. Overall, therefore, the Toyota Prius + 1.8 HSD Lounge we tested is a perfect family car, spacious and comfortable, with excellent fuel efficiency as a diesel, but not recommended for drivers who love the most dynamic sports driving. You can tell in the first ascents or as soon as you try to beat heavy on the accelerator when the car seems to complain and point out with a sound unpleasant that this is not the right way to drive it.

34,100 EURO, full optional
The Toyota Prius 1.8 HSD Lounge has a list based on 32,200 euro, including automatic climate control system (not dual-zone), four electric windows, automatic, dual sunroof, cruise control, automatic transmission, 7 seats, reversing camera, Head-up monochrome display and multimedia system Toyota Touch screen 6.1 ", Bluetooth, USB and Aux and steering wheel controls. The car we tested was more Silver metallic paint (500 €), alloy wheels 17 "with tires 215/50 R17 which cost another 450 euro and a navigation screen integrated into the central Navi Box Plus (950 euro). The total has thus risen to 34,100 euro, which is not low at all, but still adequate for a hybrid for large loads. Just a quick comparison with the only rivals on the market, which is the French diesel + electric (Peugeot 3008, 508 and Citroen DS5 HYbrid4), to understand that the figure of 34,100 euro is not out of this world and the technology of this already looking to the future you pay for.

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