Toyota Prius drive blog: Golf wedge

Read our Toyota Prius news report here.

Victor Chieng is Business Analyst and Project Manager for the Carsales Network. His vehicle of choice is an Alfa Romeo sedan.

"I've got an Alfa 159 -- that's a diesel," he explained during his 'guest review' of the Toyota Prius. The performance of the Alfa and its Italian looks would seem to be at odds with the Toyota's design parameters, but Chieng is willing to put those two issues aside in consideration of the Prius.

"Most important to me is a combination of practicality and looks -- to a large degree. I've got an 11-month old, so the baby seat and the ability to move it in and out is quite important to me."

As a consequence of this, the Prius rated well. The Toyota also hit the target for being a bit more stylish than its predecessor. Chieng was the only guest reviewer to comment on the new car's styling.

"I like the [headlight styling treatment]," he said.

"It's definitely improved from the previous model. Styling's improved from that perspective. It looks like it fits in a lot more now, on the road. It doesn't set itself, design-wise, too far to left field. The rear does let it down a bit."

Chieng was curious about hybrid cars generally, never having driven one previously.

"I've always wanted to try a hybrid vehicle. What interests me about this is car is that I'm looking at some stage to get another car. The hybrid vehicles have been of interest to me, so I'm just looking at what options are available. I do like the fact that with petrol prices the way they are, hybrids and diesels are becoming a lot more popular.

"I know I save quite a lot of money with my diesel, except that I have to pay a bit more for the car, so where that sort of balances out is still questionable, but so far it's worked out quite well for me, financially."

That said, Chieng sounds like he's more amenable to the Prius than our other guest reviewers were.

"It's pretty zippy. The 'Power mode' when we took off was quite good."

"4.7[L/100km] is really, really good. The [Alfa's] official number is 6.9, but that's combined. On long distance, I could probably get it down a tad lower. With that car though, I do tend to push it a little, because of the torque, so I'm probably not getting 6.9.

"Comfort, out of 10... probably seven? I like the fact that these controls are quite close [referring to the switchgear on the floating centre console]. I don't know how it's going to affect someone who's taller. For me, at the moment, I'd say it's fine."

Chieng was the only reviewer to note that the tyre noise in the Prius was less than completely subdued.

"There's a little bit of tyre roar. It's a little loud," he noted, but balanced that with the observation that: "Even when the petrol engine is working, it's pretty quiet.

"Everything I need is pretty much around me and close to me, which is good," he said, pointing out the proximity of the gear selector and minor controls in the centre fascia/floating console.

"What's on the [multi-information] display there is more of an education thing than anything else -- for me to get full value out of that. It's understanding how relevant that information is to me for my driving. The key thing I look for is distance-to-empty.

According to Chieng, remote controls mounted on the steering wheel for the audio system, trip computer and multi-information display were worth a tick, "Being able to have all the equipment available to you on the steering wheel and being in control of that -- and I quite like having the head-up display."

Chieng also welcomed the Touch Tracer system.

"It's interesting. It's good, obviously, because you don't have to take your eyes off the road. I think it's quite smart, actually."

"Very high on my list would be able to put two golf bags in without having to put the seats down. I think it's probably just a little bit short.

"I'm a golfer, so I'm looking at the boot, thinking I won't be able to fit a golf bag in there."

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