2025 Toyota Prius 30,000-Mile Update: Cool Looks Bring Sacrifices
Key takeaways
- The Prius continues to deliver great fuel economy, but the sloping roofline that creates such an aerodynamic shape can impinge on practicality.
- View exterior photos Jacob Kurowicki|Car and Driver30,000-Mile Update Beauty is pain, the saying goes.
- "The slick body does make getting in and out a bit tough for older folks," remarked research editor Matthew Skwarczek, noting the fairly low seating position.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The Prius continues to deliver great fuel economy, but the sloping roofline that creates such an aerodynamic shape can impinge on practicality.
View exterior photos Jacob Kurowicki|Car and Driver30,000-Mile Update Beauty is pain, the saying goes. While the Toyota Prius's aero-slick design drew heaps of praise when the car was revealed, our 30,000-plus miles with the car thus far have demonstrated that these looks come with a price. The dramatic angle of the windshield may look cool and aid the aerodynamic efficiency needed to achieve the Prius's hallmark thriftiness at the pump, but it's not the easiest to live with.
"The slick body does make getting in and out a bit tough for older folks," remarked research editor Matthew Skwarczek, noting the fairly low seating position. Others complained of the obstructed view created by the long, slanted A-pillar, which, together with a lengthy dashboard, hampers forward visibility and creates a sizable blind spot that can be frustrating in busy parking lots. That dashboard setup—with a small digital gauge cluster mounted high, requiring a lower-than-normal steering-wheel position—has also been unpopular with some drivers. "The gauge-cluster position relative to the steering wheel is something I'll never get used to," said road warrior Jacob Kurowicki.