u/the_lawrence_guy

My budget is around 65k at the top end and I'm not opposed to used or new. New is only considered with ulta low interest rates though. I personally love compact cars, wagons, and large Suvs. Mainly looking for a hybrid. Currently driving a 2000 Lexus LX470. The cars on my list.

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Volvo V90/V90CC - unsure of reliability but love Volvos

Toyota Prius Prime(5th gen) - plastic everywhere for the price

Toyota Land cruiser (250) - overpriced IMO but I like them

Porsche Taycan Cross - high insurance and low range. Scared of read ring of death

Audi Etron GT- same issues as taycan

Sequoia trd (3rd gen) - expensive but like them a lot

Toyota CHR EV - 0% interest and nice and compact

Polestar 3 - like them but haven't driven one

Polestar 4 - like them but haven't driven

Lexus UX - basically another Prius but leather

Any options or other cars I should look at?

Going to test drive a 2023 Sequoia limited or capstone tomorrow. Not sure which yet. Any options I should look at or even general feedback of problems, things I should look out for?

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Any advice would be appreciated!

2026 Prius Plug in Hybrid XSE Premium

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I had a standard base rental prius for awhile and enjoyed it but my main complaints were, I wish the screen were bigger and so to see some nice materials over pure hard plastic.

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I decided to explore what a nice Prius had to offer and liked the idea of the PHEV since I'm coming from full electric. My local dealer only has a new XSE Premium so I test drove it. I still enjoy how it drives and enjoyed the larger screen but I'm still especially disappointed in the door cards. I feel the base Prius had nearly the exact same materials excluding the seats and some extra random stuff like heated and ventilated seats, power lift gate, etc. Yes it's nice but for 44k I was disappointed to see Toyota not do anything with the plastics over the far more budget friendly base.

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I'm fully aware they are economy cars and trying to save on weight. The dealer kept playing off all is short coming and materials as sporty styling. The material feels like when a dealer fills on seat cracks and paints over it then 3 months later it rubs off. That's what it reminded me of.

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Another thing that stood out was how much less headroom there was with the sunroof/moonroof. Im 6'0 and kept feeling in a slightly odd position even with the seat fully dropped. I don't remember feeling as cramped in the rental without the moonroof.

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I still find myself wanting one but it's disappointing to see Toyota cheap out on some materials.

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Am I alone in this or do I need to be looking at a different trim for what I'm wanting?

I have actively avoided Pacificas at rental counters for years, and after my latest trip, I am incredibly glad I did.

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Stepping inside, I was initially impressed by how open and spacious the cabin felt. However, that illusion of utility quickly faded when I realized how little functional, closed storage actually exists. For a vehicle of this size designed specifically to meet family needs, the lack of compartments is a major oversight by Chrysler. While the interior materials are mostly fine, the quality is ruined by incredibly cheap plastic around the door handles and center console, paired with a rather gross, low-grade fake leather on the seats.

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To be fair, the handling and steering actually surprised me. Having driven a handful of minivans in the past, this one maneuvered relatively well. The turning radius leaves a little to be desired, but that is somewhat forgivable given the length of the vehicle.

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Where this vehicle completely failed was the braking distance, it felt like a genuine hazard in almost every scenario. Stopping requires you to absolutely bury the pedal into the floorboard(tad dramatic), and if you are forced to slam on the brakes in an emergency scenario, the vehicle immediately begins to slide. I would never feel confident keeping my family safe with these driving dynamics. And before anyone excuses this as a "low-spec" or "poorly maintained" rental, the vehicle had only 19,000 miles on the odometer. This is an engineering problem.

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To make matters worse, during my brief 300-mile journey, both the check engine and traction control lights popped up on the dash. I have driven hundreds of rental cars over the years, and the only other vehicles to ever throw error codes or engine lights were a Fiat Panda (Stellantis), Dodge Durango (Stellantis) and the Pacific (Stellantis). That speaks volumes about the brand’s reliability and engineering. Can't

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If I have to find one positive, I was pleasantly surprised by the sound system. It was actually quite solid and a rare high point in an otherwise miserable driving experience. The AC was also quite cold.

Love these subs and looking to get one. What are your recommendations for must haves? Anything that makes or breaks the vehicle for you?

My biggest one so far is the upgraded screen I think. If it were an easy swap I'd be willing to do the base and upgrade it myself but that doesn't seem to be the case.

Kinda on the fence on which headlight design I like better.

Love the cars, how they drive, how they handle, the power. I just haven't been able to get over how they look since they launched. I want to like them but I think BMW got a little too edgy and the futuristic look of evs. People hate on the i4 also but I love those things. The split lights of the x7 and 7 series even grew on me. These just have not managed to hit for me.

What's your favorite colors on the ex90?