In Which I Drive a Prius Plug-In Hybrid… And Don’t Realize It
I have been a member of the Toyota Women’s Influencer Group since January and have been patiently waiting (ahem) for the chance to have an extended ride-and-drive with a Toyota vehicle since I joined. We had an opportunity to test drive cars at TWIN Camp, but I’m typically too anxious about driving someone else’s car in an unfamiliar location to actually focus on how the car is handling. I was hoping to drive a Prius V, since it’s a bit bigger and I wanted to see if I noticed the difference. But, after so much waiting, when the call came for a regular Prius, I jumped on it. Turned out to be this silver beauty:
Now, perhaps you read my post yesterday about the fact that I didn’t know that Toyota had a new Prius. Despite the massive amounts of advertising, I simply missed the news. But it gets better. I actually DROVE the new Prius Plug-in… and didn’t realize it.
The drive to Lexington Toyota was an adventure, as it often is with two kids in tow. By the time we arrived (it’s not a huge journey, but it’s not exactly close either), I was eager to get in the car and away from my family. The car was waiting out front, so they showed me how to turn it on, shift into drive and reverse, and put it into park. I promised to return it full of gas and off I went.
Now, you might think that when my son pointed out the electrical plug, I might have thought something about that. But I didn’t. I haven’t driven a Prius since 2004 and it wasn’t under the best of circumstances. I wasn’t paying attention to the fact that there was no plug then, but there is now. I did take a picture, though.
One of the first things I did was look for the manual so I could read up on all of the cool features. But, given that it’s a rental, there was no manual that I could find. Or maybe there’s a digital one somewhere in the navigation system. I don’t know. But basically, I drove around in the car for almost five days. I went on an Ikea run, did some grocery shopping, and took the kids for an adventure. Not once did it cross my mind that I was not driving a regular Prius. Brilliant, right?
So, before you think I’m a total idiot, I knew that I was driving a plug-in. I just didn’t realize that this was a new Prius, and that previous versions didn’t have a plug. But more on that in my next post…
Disclosure: I am part of the Toyota Women’s Influencer’s Network. I receive no financial compensation, but may receive other benefits. The opinions contained in this post are my own.
Related posts:
Driving with the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid
The Week of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid–Sims Social Hint
I’m a TWIN! Toyota Women’s Influencer Network
Cruisin’ with the Toyota Prius C
Exit the Highway, Smell the Roses, and Win a Prius
Toyota, the Prius V, and Social Gaming
Toyota, the Prius V, and Social Gaming
Bill Nye and the Tech Behind the Toyota Prius c
If I can’t work my vcr, dvd player, or my iPod, odds are not good for me and this vehicle. It’s made for someone exactly like you. :)
So there’s the thing. I think I’m proof that it’s made for anyone. I didn’t even realize that it was different!
First off can I say how jealous I am that you got the drive that even if you didn’t know what you were driving. My new running joke when my kids are having a hard day is that if I sell one of them I can buy the Prius Plug-In because we will all fit then. :) *I wouldn’t actually sell me kid.*
When I drove it at the Toyota Campus my partner and I had a hard time with the joy stick and turning it on. So don’t feel too bad. :)
Hah. I think you might have to sell two kids to afford the Prius Plug-in. =} Seriously, though, it’s kind of a fun car to drive. I was totally caught up in trying to get the battery fully charge by braking carefully. ;)