Thursday, April 29, 2004

Hybrid car

The University fleet issued me a Toyota Prius for a trip the other day. I'd never driven an electric hybrid before. Or a Toyota, for that matter. (I can't afford one.)

The displays were distracting at first, but I got used to them. The radio controls (except for the off/on/volume) were a touch-screen: very nice for the passenger, but bad for the driver. It's a long reach to get to it, and you have to take your eyes off the road. Very bad design.

Mileage is better in the city than the highway, since it recovers energy when you slow down. Very very nice. I like efficient technology. One of the displays shows the energy flow dynamically, and another shows gas mileage as a function of time.

It starts like a dream--at least in warm weather. Turn the key and its on. It handles like a van in high winds--bouncing all over the road.

Pickup isn't very good, and trying to merge after toll booth stops was less than pleasant; comparable to a fully loaded Aerostar.

For city driving, it looks like a winner.

No comments: