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30 Days of the 2010 Toyota Prius: Day 6, The 5 Not-So-Great Things

 
12,709 views Mar 30, 2009
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2010 Toyota Prius rear seat

2010 Toyota Prius rear seat

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Soon we'll dive into much more detail on each aspect of the 2010 Toyota Prius, covering every facet of the car exhaustively. Think of it as "Everything You Need to Know," but on steroids.

Meanwhile, today's installment of our 30 Days of the 2010 Prius series follows up on yesterday's "10 Best Things" with a list of a few things that are ... well ... not-so-best.

(1) Less rear legroom. Within a very similar package to the 2009 Prius, most dimensions got a bit bigger. One that didn't was rear-seat hip room, which is almost half an inch narrower. Another is front headroom, which is 0.3 inches lower. Worst of all, despite front seat backs almost 1.5 inches thinner, rear leg room fell by 2.6 inches--though rear knee space rose almost an inch. Our take: The rear seat is suitable for two 6-foot tall males with normal-issue legs, but you wouldn't want to sit between them.

(2) Limits on option combinations. How could the company not expect that buyers would want a fully-loaded 2010 Toyota Prius with both the Advanced Technology Package and the Solar Roof Package? Pick one, kids; it's all ya get.

(3) Location of seat-heater button. This is a major irritant for those of us in cold climates. The seat-heater button is located down by your ankles, buried in the open space below the high-mounted center console--right next to the 12-Volt outlet. Grrrrrr.

(4) Same old battery and electric range. With all the great new stuff, we're shocked (ahem) that the battery remains the same, and so does the electric range--roughly 1 mile, under the right circumstances. We know it's to keep cost down, but still ....

(5) No plug-in option. OK, no one else offers one either, yet (aside from the $109,000 2009 Tesla Roadster, which is entirely different). But with the 2011 Chevrolet Volt less than two years away, we wanted Toyota to pioneer the plug-in hybrid. Now! For the record, Toyota says limited numbers of plug-in Prius models will be offered to fleets--not civilian buyers--by the end of 2009.

2010 Toyota Prius seat-heater button and 12-Volt power outlet

2010 Toyota Prius seat-heater button and 12-Volt power outlet

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Comments (6)

  1. By  Eric Sevim Posted: 4/1/2009 5:55pm PDT

    "Plug-In Hybrids are here - Toyota Prius 04-09"

    The Toyota Prius from 04-09 can be converted to a plug-in hybrid. Our facility in San Carlos, CA installs the hymotion.com battery pack. There are a few hundred on the road and we have one of them. We are one of eleven installers in the nation. Specializing in Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus, Nissan, Infiniti, Subaru, Mazda, and Mitsubishi. We service Belmont, San Carlos, San Mateo, Redwood City, Redwood Shores, and Foster City.
     
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  2. By John R. Posted: 7/13/2009 6:54am PDT

    I may buy a 2010 Prius. No interest in the Advanced Tech option on the Prius V, but do want the 17" wheels and tuned suspension on the V. So I am disappointed that I can't get a V with the solar roof option. Re the seat heater buttons: in my current car, on the center console next to the shifter, they're often depressed accidentally, so I think it's a great idea to put them where that is less likely to happen.
     
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  3. By richard jackson Posted: 10/14/2009 10:36pm PDT

    17" wheels give you less mpg and a bad ride.
     
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  4. By  Kathy Goodwind Posted: 12/16/2009 8:08am PST

    We bought a Prius 2010 in June and thought we were contributing to the Earth by lowering our gas consumption. At first I thought I was just driving the car incorrectly and possibly the car just had to to be broken in( as pervMagic Toyota)but still just averaging 36 mpg. I asked for driving lessons from Magic Toyota but did not get any help.
    I keep records of gas purchases and gas usage and find myself doubting the pumped up value of this car. Sure it has slowed down my driving (trying to get to that 50 mpg advertised)but the car isn't even fun to drive. It is not a sporty car at all and has made me realize I am an old lady. It is the perfect old lady car since I have a good excuse for driving slow trying to get that good mileage. If I was satisfied with 36 miles per gallon I would have gotten a car with a bigger engine. Last fillup I got 29mpg.
    Magic Toyota told me I would have to wait until the engine light went on before they could help me out. Okay so I won't click the gas cap twice next fill up and maybe the engine light will go on.
    Thanks Toyota I thought you were better than that.
     
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  5. By walt Posted: 2/9/2010 7:11am PST

    It's Simple. If you are getting less than 40mpg on a Prius you are driving it wrong. I have an 08 and the mpg varies greatly from summer to winter, that is a fact, however in the summer (and keep in mind this is an 08 model) I can easily get 50. Winter months I can easily get 43+.
    You really need someone to drive with you who can observe your driving habits. Old habits die hard and with just a little coaching, you'll be well above the 40 barrier and eventually when the warmth arrives you'll be in the 50's!
     
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  6. By David Dilworth Posted: 5/20/2011 5:42pm PDT

    I was told by a Costco gas attendant that in some states (like Washington) we get winter blend and summer blend. I get similar mpg as walt in my 2008. California drivers always get summer blend so they have an advantage during the winter.
     
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