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2010 Toyota Prius Photo

2010 Toyota Prius - Review

 
6 9,842 views July 20, 2009

2010 Toyota Prius side view

I had the opportunity to spend a week driving the third generation 2010 Toyota Prius.  I had the Prius IV model with leather interior and solar panel roof option.

Driver Interface
Getting into the car and you get the experience you have entered a technology center. The human vehicle interface is sophisticated, rich, and technically well done. The interior surfaces and material echo the technical nature of the car and stand out among other vehicles. The layout and spatial elements are very similar to the second generation Prius though more storage is available with a unique bi-level double glove box and sliding center console lid.   The car is ergonomically comfortable with adequate space and upright positioning and vantage point. The high roof and steep sloping top of the dashboard are retained from the prior version and pleasant.

The information panel continues to “float” at the top of the dashboard allowing removal of the typical instrument cluster found on most cars. Retained too is the small joystick shifter, power button, and park button. I found the new Prius simpler to start and get into gear, and it delivered a responsive power up experience. The key fob could simply sit in your pocket as there was no place to insert the key anyway.

Visibility
The unique shape and double glass panel rear hatch could potentially make visibility difficult but that really wasn’t so through very clever design. Any doubt was further mitigated by an automatic rear back up camera.

Performance
Obviously the Prius isn’t a performance car, its goal is sheer fuel economy. However, Toyota increased the engine size in this version from 1.5L to 1.8L. With the electric motor capable of driving the car up to a mile at low speed and assit significantly at cruising speeds, the car returned an overall 150 hp. This really makes a significant difference in drivability as the car does not seem underpowered any more. The engine strains slightly in high power situations but gives off reasonable confidence.


 
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Comments (6)

  1. By  john1701a Posted: 7/20/2009 7:18am PDT

    There are actually 5 modes.
    NORMAL is when none of the other 3 buttons are pressed.
    STEALTH is the automatic electric-only drive, which engages without the need to push any button. It allows you to drive up to 45 MPH with the gas engine at 0 RPM.
     
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  2. fb_718099672 avatar Kirk Nason Posted: 7/22/2009 11:14am PDT

    Not sure how you got up to 45 in EV mode, in my 2010 Prius, it kicks out of EV only mode when I hit 25mph. Once out of EV only mode, I do see how you can drive only on EV, but this is now using the ECO mode.
     
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  3. By  john1701a Posted: 7/22/2009 9:12pm PDT

    I didn't. There are 2 electric-only modes.
    EV is only intended for uses like pulling the car out of the garage, waiting in line at the drive-thru, crawling along in really heavy traffic.
    STEALTH is electric-only driving with the engine motionless (zero RPM). That's what is available at 45 MPH. Without an aftermarket tachometer, you can still confirm this automatic (no button) mode by seeing 100 MPG on the instant gauge.
     
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  4. By Randy Posted: 7/30/2009 1:44pm PDT

    I'd like a little more info on "stealth". My 3rd gen is giving me about 45 mpg. However, it should be noted that I carry samples which weigh approx 300 lbs.
    In general, I'm quite pleased..
     
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  5. fb_718099672 avatar Kirk Nason Posted: 8/5/2009 2:04pm PDT

    Thanks John, for clarification on the EV mode driving. I do see this all the time even when traveling at higher speeds. Backing off the pedal after getting up to speed is a great way to get the car into EV mode. On tank 3 in my Prius and I am now up to 54mpg. This is with two people (sometimes three) in the car.
     
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  6. By Sam Posted: 9/6/2009 8:41pm PDT

    I think the phantom 5th mode is more akin to hypermiling. Although I recently got my 2010 Prius w/Navigation, I have driven a Lexus 400H for over a week while visiting my brother, so I'm sort of used to the nuances of a Hybrid. I did notice something unusual while driving on a stretch of highway that was fairly flat I hit a speed of 40 mph, and backed-off the gas to the point that I was maintaining speed, but my Eco display showed nothing... just like when the car is stopped, and the engine could not be heard only the whirr that is associated with electric motor usage. It seems if you hit a certain speed, and are on a surface that offers minimal resistance, the Hybrid Synergy System utilizes the most efficient application to maintain speed. I really wouldn't consider this to be a "Stealth Mode" though, because the engine would need to be on to maintain battery charge levels, especially since you are not driving in a regenerative state.
     
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