Hybrid Garage Takes A Toyota Prius To The Hell’s Revenge Trail In Moab

Most people head to the red rocks of Utah with locking differentials and 40-inch tires, but Hybrid Garage decided to challenge that norm with a fuel-efficient commuter car. Taking a Toyota Prius to Moab sounds like a recipe for disaster, yet that is exactly what happened on the famous Hell’s Revenge trail. With a two-inch homemade lift, twenty-seven-inch tires, and a Tacoma skid plate bolted underneath, the goal was to see just how far a front-wheel-drive hybrid could go on one of the most intimidating trails in the country.

Sending It On Hell’s Revenge

The strategy for getting a low-horsepower hybrid up steep sandstone was simple: speed and momentum. Unlike the crawlers that creep slowly over obstacles, the Prius had to launch itself up the slick rock fins. The modified bumpers offered just enough approach angle to keep the nose intact during the initial climbs, but the lack of four-wheel drive meant the driver had to keep the throttle pinned. While other drivers on the trail shook their heads in confusion, the little hybrid managed to bounce its way through the early obstacles, proving that momentum can sometimes substitute for traction.

Taking A Toyota Prius To Moab’s Hell’s Gate

Confidence ran high until the crew reached Hell’s Gate, a notorious V-notch climb with severe consequences for failure. The Prius dropped in successfully, but climbing out was a different story. Despite hitting the incline with speed, the car ran out of grip and slammed into a rock, slicing the front tire wide open. With a flat tire and no traction, the situation turned dangerous. Ben, driving the support Jeep, had to perform a sketchy recovery, towing the disabled Prius up the steep rock face with a strap while the hybrid scrambled for any bit of grip it could find.

Hot Tubs And The Escalator

After swapping on a spare tire, the abuse continued at Mickey’s Hot Tub. The driver dropped the car into the deep depression, knowing full well it couldn’t climb out under its own power. A tow strap dragged it to freedom, but the Escalator obstacle proved even more punishing. During the attempt to exit the obstacle, the front bumper crumpled against the rock, and the car required a manual push from the crew to escape. The suspension took a beating, with a bent strut adding to the growing list of broken parts.

Surviving The Red Rocks

The aftermath of the trip revealed just how brutal the trail was on the unibody chassis. Beyond the sliced tire and the smashed front bumper, the suspension geometry was tweaked, and various trim pieces were left scattered in the dust. While the Toyota Prius to Moab experiment proved that you technically don’t need a 4×4 to see the sights, the carnage suggests that having a transfer case is probably a good idea if you want to drive home in one piece.