Years ago Toyota had an advertising campaign that said “Oh! What a Feeling!” Let me tell you about what I was feeling. Ok, I admit that some where over the last couple of years I had developed a bad attitude towards the Toyota Prius and its owners. I started noticing them, not for the stylish appearance but because they always seem to be in the way. My theory was that the car couldn’t go any faster or the driver was on the phone.

As luck would have it, when I got to the counter for my most recent car rental and asked the representative “what am I driving today,” much to my surprise, he said a Prius. I was surprised because that was not the class I reserved and secondly, the Prius is one of the “Green Collection” and not available at my rental location.

The rep handed me the contract and a clicker. I asked for the keys and was informed that the clicker was the key, “stick it in the slot to the right of the steering wheel, press the brake pedal and push the power-on button.”

So as fate would have it, out the door I went for my first experience with a hybrid. A Prius no less.

As I approached the little red Prius, my attitude change to a more positive position because now I could find out for myself what the problem is with the car or its drivers.

The car was roomier than I expected and had all of the usual equipment and options. Actually, laid out very well and pretty comfortable for the most part.

Let’s see, insert “key”, press brake pedal and push the power-on button. Done. The dashboard is all lit up but can I go?  I don’t hear anything but the radio. Oh well, put it in “D” and see what happens.  It works!

I was timid at first, not knowing the drivability of the car, but quickly decided to drive the Prius just as I would any other car. After all, we were going to be together for a full week.

To make a long story short, I’ll summarize my opinions about the car and my theory as to Prius drivers.

Here is what I didn’t like about the Prius. The acceleration had a little hesitation at first but the car would pick up speed just fine. Many of the controls were on the steering column. The problem occurs at night because these controls are not illuminated. Too many times did I cut on the wipers inadvertently. Also at night, the design of the hatch has a spoiler across the back with glass below it. As cars travel behind you the spoiler intermittently blocks their headlights causing the illusion that they are flashing their headlights. This is more an annoyance that anything else. A telescoping steering wheel would be nice. With my long legs and arms made the wheel feel far away. Of course I cranked up my music. The system sounded good as far as factory systems go but, what manufacture maxes out their volume at 63? Weird. The rear arm rest was floppy also.

Now the good stuff. The car is solid and well made. No door slamming necessary. The ride was smooth and the car handled well. The car is stylish and even kinda cute. Oh yeah, the gas mileage is GREAT!  I got 49-51 miles to the gallon the entire time I had the car. Drove from Tucson to Phoenix and spent the week there and only put gas in the car to come home. This, I loved, but when I filled the tank and it only took nine gallons, I got upset again. I was disappointed that the range was not more. So as far as travel goes, the Prius with its great MPG doesn’t take you any farther than other cars with larger tanks and lower MPGs. You just have the “green” thing to feel good about and a lower gas bill.

Now for my theory. After driving the car for a week, I have concluded that the car is NOT the problem. It is the driver. I think that Prius drivers are distracted while driving. They are NOT driving based on the speed limit, but based on data from the huge screen monitoring their fuel consumption. This big screen has bars moving up and down in real time and even appears to reward you with little green cars. The alternate screen was even worst. The Energy Monitor screen shows a drive train with wheels turning and how much electric current is flowing and in which direction using moving arrows. You might as well watch a movie with all that movement going on. So I can see how drivers can be distracted while driving. The default mode should be off. Look, you know you are going to get 50 miles per gallon, shut the screen off and keep up in traffic with the rest of us.

Now that I have had this experience with the Prius, I think I understand what is going on and will just change lanes rather than get irritated. And yes, I would buy one. It’s a good car. But I promise you, I won’t be the one making you late you work.