Toyota Prius has been around since the turn of the century, and it has garnered a great amount of hate since then. There has also been a lot of love, as Toyota has sold more than 4 million Prii (plural form of Prius) since it came out. One would assume that a car so loved and reviled would be neutral, but it’s not.
It is arguably the most controversial car to have ever existed. Lots of people seem to think it’s ugly, slow, or even “not really a car.” People probably hate Toyota’s most popular hybrid a lot more than they love it. But why? Let’s have a detailed look at the factors that make it insanely infamous among car enthusiasts.
Why does Prius Get So Much Hate?
The Toyota Prius is a four-door hybrid car that came out in 1997. Since then, it has undergone four generations, improving in both aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. it is by no means a sporty vehicle and can only seat a maximum of five passengers.
The first reason it receives so much hate is because it boasts some of the best fuel economy ratings of any car on the market. This is because the Prius excels at what it does and exudes a haughty air. It seems to give every car a smug look as it drives slowly by every gas station, showing off what seems to be an endless fuel range.
7 Reasons Why Toyota Prius is Hated So Much
1. Not so Attractive Looks:
Another reason why people hate the Toyota Prius so much is that it looks ugly. While calling it “ugly” is a strong word, let’s just say that Toyota might have improved its appearance by forgoing fuel efficiency.
Although Prius owners may disagree, everyone has their own definition of what is beautiful. The Prius’s aerodynamics have been improved over the years, resulting in a very low 0.26 coefficient of drag (lower than a Nissan GT-R), yet its futuristic cheese wedge design continues to be unpopular.
2. It is Slow:
Another reason why people don’t like the Toyota Prius has nothing to do with the car itself. Instead, it’s a result of Prius owners’ combined driving habits. That’s because the Prius driver doesn’t get into bad habits. Instead, he or she drives very slowly, which tends to annoy other drivers.
In order to get the better fuel economy that the Prius is capable of, Prius owners typically drive more slowly than other drivers. That shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering they bought the car for its fuel economy. That may be frustrating or even insulting for people who need to get somewhere quickly.
3. Not as Green as Expected:
Yes, driving a Toyota Prius will reduce your carbon footprint and give you the finest fuel economy of your life, but the environment doesn’t benefit much from it. The production of hybrid batteries has turned out to be quite harmful to the environment, and each Prius creates a lot more pollution.
All for Prius drivers to mock you when they refuel once a month at the closest gas station. Or they might not show up at all because their car doesn’t need gas very often.
4. Prius Drivers are Smug:
This is another reason it gets hate because of its owners. The Toyota Prius and its owners have frequently become subjects of ridicule in popular culture. Prius owners are often depicted as preachy individuals with a sense of superiority, adorning their cars with bumper stickers that convey pseudo-philosophical messages and, worst of all, are very smug.
5. Charges Too Slowly:
Despite their great gas mileage, many people think Toyota Prius is too noisy, expensive, futuristic, and slow. Some even refer to it as a “Blueberry” due to the perceived lengthy battery recharge time.
But is all that criticism accurate, or do people just dislike alternative-technology vehicles because they look different? However, despite Toyota’s claims, the Prius’ long recharging times may be a deal-breaker for many drivers.
6. It’s Too Boring:
Many people say that the Prius is too boring to drive. Critics claim that the vehicle does not always achieve the guaranteed level of fuel efficiency.
It could be challenging for some people to justify spending time behind the wheel due to the lack of novelty and enjoyment. Furthermore, the Prius is not pleasant to look at or drive, but that is unimportant because people don’t purchase these vehicles for fun.
7. It was the First Popular Hybrid:
There are a lot of hybrid cars out there, so why is it that everyone hates the Prius? Most likely because it was the first hybrid to experience significant sales. Although the idea of a hybrid vehicle has been around for a while, it was the Toyota Prius that really made it mainstream.
With its focus on fuel efficiency, performance, visual appeal, and thrills, the Prius is the opposite of the petrolhead’s ideal vehicle. Because it was the first hybrid to achieve mainstream success, it also became the object of car enthusiasts’ hate.
Should we give the Prius a second chance?
The Toyota Prius was regarded as the pinnacle of hybrid vehicles for many years. The car was ahead of its time when it was first released. The Prius was green, inexpensive, and popular with celebrities, attracting eco-conscious consumers who wanted to lessen their carbon footprint.
But then something happened, and now, the Prius is known to be unattractive, boring, and extremely slow these days. Despite its shortcomings, it’s still a vehicle that is ideal for city drivers and commuters who want to cut pollutants and increase gas efficiency. The Toyota Prius has a chance to gain favor with enthusiasts with each new generation. It could be quicker. It might look better.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Here are some frequently asked questions about Toyota Prius:
Is Prius a Hatchback or a Sedan?
Because a Prius is a hybrid vehicle, it combines the features of a hatchback and a sedan.
Why is The Prius So Slow?
Some say that the Prius is slow because it accelerates slowly. Others argue that the car’s design makes navigating busy city streets challenging.
Is Prius Hard to Drive?
Many people claim that a Toyota Prius is very hard to drive due to its design. Moreover, its gear also makes it difficult to accelerate.
Conclusion
Once, Regular Cars referred to the Toyota Prius as a “villain” and went on to say that everyone loves to despise a villain because “a good villain gives us purpose.” And we could not agree more. It’s not that the Toyota Prius is a bad vehicle. It actually ranks among the best vehicles on the road in terms of reliability and fuel efficiency.
Simply stated, car enthusiasts dislike the Prius because it disturbs the status quo of the typical American car. The Prius has lots of power and has revolutionized how modern cars can generate more horsepower. It is merely a stigma that most likely won’t disappear unless people who believe it do.
