First off: The Prius is just so ugly. So, so, so, so ugly. It makes a hot pink Beetle look like a 911 GT3. It's astonishingly hideous.
Second: It's not THAT fuel efficient. The Honda CRX HF and Civic VX got the same MPG's (or better!) and were pure gasoline engines.
Unfortunately the Prius is one of the only "fuel efficient" vehicle options for the average U.S. consumer. Our dearest friends G. W. Bush and crew has helped make that a reality. I want more small/fuel efficient commuter car options like Europe!!!!
The Prius is not fast, it does not handle well, and its brakes are average at best. It seems that the Prius is marketed as kind of an "ultimate commuter". But I don't think it gets enough MPG's to warrant that title. Please Toyota. I think you've tried too hard to gain any performance out of it and make it comparable to other mid-size cars. The fact is though, the Prius is not like other cars, its a hybrid and should be marketed towards hippies, not the average citizen. Yes were a bunch of stupid American consumers that love our horsepower, but go ahead and find one person who bought a Prius because it was fast. I suggest you get it over 50 MPG combined city/highway driving. That will really get America started on the fuel efficent road. Also, screw the 0-60 time (not that it had a decent 0-60 to begin with). The people buying Prius' right now only buy it because they think its the Environmental Messiah coming to bring them to the holy land. People will buy it whether it does 0-60 in 10.5 or 13 seconds.
I understand the idea behind it and what the Prius stands for. It's low emissions are nice as well, but I wouldn't take it brand new for $1,000 US.
I just thought of this: Toyota, why don't you make two Prius models? You can keep the one you have now that people think is "comparable" to other cars, and then make one that does what the Prius is supposed to do: high MPG pure commuter car.
My vote: Hurry up with the hydrogen fuel cell cars already!!! SAVE US FROM THIS PRIUS HELL!!!