Toyota joins Tesla in race for affordable green car you won't hate

The problem as I see it is that most hybrid and/or EV buyers aren't people who are passionate about what they drive. There are Prius and EV enthusiast groups but there are miniscule compared to every other segment's fan group. There needs to be an EV or hybrid that people start by saying "wow...this is a great looking car" and then they become more surprised when they find out that it is a hybrid or EV. Instead most people can look at any EV or Hybrid and guess that it is a green car based on the funky styling.

I have a good friend who has a Prius and he doesn't care about it being stylish or plush inside...he cares about being able to drive way under the speed limit and get 65mpg. Because of that, the vast majority of EVs and Hybrids are clearly designed with the idea of form follows function and that results in cars that "car guys" don't like...unless you have something like that $100,000
Tesla Model S and regardless of how great it is, that car doesn't solve any of the world's problems.

It seems to me that even though Tesla Model S is very expensive, the success it has had has prompted other manufacturers to look to EV or EV hybrids that they may not have considered before. Take for example Bob Lutz making electric trucks and vans, VIA. Would he have had the motivation and funding to take that on without Tesla? What about Mercedes looking for more collaborative projects with Tesla, or BMW doing more electrics? Elon Musk began Tesla because he saw with the failing of the first EV1 that government regulations by itself cannot change the industry; only commercial success and competition can. Thus in its own way, Tesla Model S has began to change the auto industry and fossil fuel use in transportation.

I think you are spot on Charlotte. Elon Musk and his company have been a very disruptive force in the auto industry - for the better. As crazy as it sounds, now comes the hard part.

Seriously, have you actually driven a Prius or are you just pretending to be critical somehow thinking that might make yourself appear more demanding or sophisticated?

Having owned several cars and since 2009, a Prius, I can tell you this car is the complete opposite to being "slow as molasses" or one that "handle sloppily". Now having said that, I will quite comfortably tell you the Prius was never meant to be a boy racer car. It is a medium sized family car that is comfortable and easy to drive, cheap to maintain and reliable long term. The current model has sold Millions and that is not by coincidence - it offers a balance of traits that works well for a lot of consumers.

Now critics like Mr. John here can keep on shouting about how bad the Prius is and he is perfectly entitled to his opinion. Actually, Mr John need not shout this way, he can get himself a modern diesel from the likes of Audi, VW or BMW and feel good about himself - after all if the car handles fine and does a decent mileage that would be good enough for him. He doesn't mind if it cost an arm and leg to replace tires or get a service done. He really wouldn't mind if it sounds like a tractor either. Just stick in a couple of exhaust pipes at the back and off he goes - one happy chap.

Modern-day buyers are far more wiser than Mr John and Toyota knows that. On the other hand, Toyota appreciates folks like Mr. John for openly critiquing their cars - after all, they pay some folk to do just that but Mr John does the job for free.

Meanwhile all of us can keep on enjoying the fruits - ever improving, cheap and reliable motoring