I've taken my Prius on some twisty roads with success. I was managing to keep up with my friend driving an E350 4Matic. Sure, he had me on the straights, but I was keeping up in the turns. The battery is below the rear seats, resulting in a low center of gravity, and handling that's not bad. Keep in mind, any economy car will not be a driver's car. But a Prius is no worse than a basic Corolla or Chevy Spark. Also, here is that Car&Driver article. It's under 10 seconds to 60, and I can confirm from experience that it is capable of over 100 mph.
That wasn't the article; it was a comparison test between a lower-line Prius with 15-inch wheels, a Honda Insight, and a 1998 Chevy Metro. Which makes sense, considering that even that article admits the base model is a cornering disaster with slow steering and awful suspension settings.
Yes, because it's a good car. Not a fun one (though the batteries provide a low centre of mass), but that's like complaining about sugar not being spicy.
My mother hated her mother's 1979-80 Pontiac Bonneville 4 Door, it was green. And guess what? There's one that's the same exact color as grandma's, and it's for sale on Craigslist. If I had $7,900, you'd bet I'd buy it for her.
It's the hyper-design that gives me that feeling, but it's your point of view, so IRYO (I respect your opinion.)
These boxy kei cars. I don't know how people who drive them aren't embarrassed, because they drive boxes litteraly. I know that these cars have low fuel consumption and low taxes...but still. There are many nicer cars which still have low consumption and low taxes.
With all these tiny cars around, I wonder does the Japanese government even care about people's safety. Or is it a population reduction plan?
Actually, the Diet (in other words the Japanese government) has been trying to get rid of these kind of cars... which actually more sense than ending American estates.
I did a quick Google search for "Prius vs Insight vs Metro," and the first result is the exact article you are talking about. And as I said, it's not meant to be a performance car. But I've been able to have some fun with it, you just have to go for it. For me, I'll be commuting 50 miles round trip per day to college starting in September, so this Prius means I won't be spending an arm and a leg on gas. And since I'm saving on gas, it also means I can start saving up for my dream car, an early NA Mazda Miata.
The Got Damn Prius, enough said. (Not trying to call you out zschmeez, your opinion is just as valuable as mine ) The 2012 Jeep Liberty. I hate SUVs in general, but f*** me is the Jeep Liberty bad. Just my opinion. Every new subcompact (Toyota Yaris, Mazda 2, Chevy Spark, so on and so forth) The Newer Toyota Celica. Just seeing a 1994 Celica makes me sad, knowing what it became. Lamborghini Urus. If I was rich and needed an SUV, I'd buy a Range Rover. Not a Urus. I believe the Urus is one of the ugliest modern cars. --- Post updated --- The Latter
The Toyota Supra. I hate all the fanboys who say "It's faster then a Lambo because you can mod it cheaper!" And it's way overrated.
If they're making it instead, there must be more demand. At least among those who actually have the money to get a Lambo.