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Portland Toyota Dealer: Prius V. Volt in a Hybrid Head-to-Head
Ten years ago, earth-conscious (and money-conscious) buyers didn’t have much of a choice when it came to vehicles: they could drive a Prius or nothing at all. Toyota pioneered green technology, and for years it was the only automaker that saw hybrids as worthy of production. By now the Prius isn’t only one of the most popular vehicles in the world; it’s paved the way for dozens of other green cars to enter the market. One of the most significant newcomers is the Chevy Volt, which claims owners can achieve hundreds of MPG in fuel efficiency. But is that right? We at Gresham Toyota decided to draw up some comparisons between the cars and let you decide which is best.
Fuel Economy
The Toyota Prius has been tested endlessly over the past decade, and can easily claim an EPA score of 50 MPG. Because it relies on both a gasoline engine and an electric battery, that number never changes. The Volt, on the other hand, with a full charge can drive for 30 miles in warm weather without burning a drop of fuel. Once that battery dries up, the gasoline engine also kicks in, which achieves 37 MPG.
The winner: it depends. On a road trip, a Prius will use exponentially less fuel. If Volt owners only drive 20-30 miles a day and charge their engines for ten hours every night, they won’t use any gas, but will see a hefty increase in their electric bill.
Interior Space
This category isn’t really a competition. The Chevy Volt can only hold four occupants, and it’s reported to feel much more cramped than the five-seated Toyota Prius.
The winner: Prius.
Dependability
When the Prius first emerged, detractors said it would never last; that the hybrid engine would break down in just a few years. Over a decade later, it remains a strong, dependable vehicle. Because the Volt is only one year old, no one knows how its engine and performance will hold up over time.
The winner: inconclusive. People who need to know their investment will last should choose a Prius.
Cost
Flagship models are never cheap, and the least-expensive version of the Volt still costs about $40,000. Even a fully-loaded Prius costs around $10,000 less. As production methods streamline and technology becomes more available, the price of the Volt may drop, but for now, picking Toyota will save you thousands.
The winner: Prius.
Results
Though the concept of an all-electric car is great, the Volt just doesn’t compare to the Prius. It was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle, and it continues to reign as the most affordable, dependable, and fuel-efficient car on the market.
Looking for your own dependable Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: Another Week, Another Group of Great Customers!
From Scion fanatics and Toyota loyalists to lovers of every car under the sun, we’re privileged to serve some of the best customers on the planet. The entire staff at Gresham Toyota is so grateful for your business!
Thank you for coming in, Julie! Have a blast with that 2012 Toyota Rav4!
It looks like you and the family are already enjoying that 2012 Toyota Corolla, Sue! Thanks for choosing Gresham.
Thanks for coming in, David. We love that excitement about your new 2012 Scion TC!
Royce, we hope you and your daughter keep loving this 2003 Chevy Avalanche!
Thanks, Tom and Kristin! Enjoy the open road in your new 2011 RAV4!
Becca, you’re a hoot. Keep having fun with that 2012 Corolla LE!
So great to meet you, Ryan! Have a blast with that 2003 Mitsubishi Eclipse.
Looking for your own dependable Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: Check Out These 5 Amazing Hybrids From Gresham Toyota!
The innovative gas/electric engines of hybrid vehicles broke new technological ground in the 90′s, and their impressive fuel economy helps the earth and their owners’ household budgets. Toyota hybrid cars lower emissions while providing the comfort and dependability that defines the brand. Gresham Toyota is proud to offer a wide array of top-rated Toyota hybrids on our lot. Browse them on our website and come in for a pressure-free test drive today!
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid $32,433
Looking for another great Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: The Unmatched Pride of 4WD Toyota Owners
Most car brands have devoted followers. The people who love Ferraris and classic cars seem almost obsessed with them: reading books, attending auto shows, and, if they can afford to, tinkering with their own models at home. Classic cars are more like works of art than automobiles, so it’s rare for a common brand to produce similar passion. Toyota is the exception. Prius owners feel a special bond with their vehicles and FJ cruiser owners love passing each other on the road, but 4WD Toyota drivers are perhaps the most passionate. Publishing a magazine and congregating at rugged destinations all over America, these men and women have a matchless pride in their 4WD Toyotas.
In 2005, 4WD Toyota Owner launched as the only all-Toyota magazine for sale in the U.S. Its stories and spreads are devoted to one thing: rugged 4WD Toyotas and the people who drive them. The magazine caters to people who love the outdoors and the Toyota brand and the fact that it’s been in circulation for seven years proves its appeal to a Toyota enthusiasts everywhere.
Asking whether Toyota enthusiasts loved the outdoors or Toyota first is almost like posing the chicken and egg question. For years, Toyota has been synonymous with dependability—which is essential for any off-road excursion. Devoted 4WD Toyota owners love their Tacomas and 4Runners so much that they can’t imagine undertaking a trek without them.
It’s a nation-wide trend, but the magazine is based in the Pacific Northwest, which makes sense to any Oregon native. Our state contains expansive wilderness, and remains a territory suitable for adventure. Toyota 4WD owners can love their vehicles anywhere, but Oregon’s Toyota fans have the benefit of rugged outdoors all around them.
Looking for your own 4WD Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Portland Toyota Dealer: The Future of Toyota Fuel Efficiency
In 1997, the Prius emerged in Japan as the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. Not many years later, it entered the American markets and immediately became a staple of the road. Toyota has since remained a leader in fuel efficiency. Developing hybrid versions of many popular models and a plug-in Prius, Toyota engineers have always been at the forefront of technology—and they show no signs of stopping. Toyota partnered with BMW last December to use fuel-savvy diesel engines in Europe, and now they’ve revealed another phase of that partnership: lithium-ion battery research.
Lithium-ion batteries are the core of electric engines. They increase the fuel efficiency of hybrids and allow some vehicles to operate without an ounce of gas. Electric engines have made huge strides since 1997, and now Toyota wants to push the limits even further. By collaborating with BMW, the size of their think tank and scientific force has doubled. Because the initiative has only been announced, no details have surfaced. Whatever Toyota and BMW are planning, it is likely to be a technological leap in fuel efficiency for hybrid and all-electric vehicles.
This isn’t the first electric-research collaboration Toyota has made, and it probably won’t be the last. In 2011 the company used research from Tesla to build an all-electric RAV4. The results of the BMW battery-research may be equally as momentous. At any rate, it’s a demonstration of Toyota’s continued commitment to fuel efficiency. As gas prices and environmental concerns continue to dominate public conversation, that’s a commitment any car buyer can appreciate!
Looking for your own electric-powered hybrid or other own fuel-efficient Toyota car, truck or SUV? Check out our selection of new and used vehicles on our website 24/7 @greshamtoyota.com!
Source: Motortrend.com
