2010 Toyota Prius - Review

By Tim Healey

Tim Healey

Contributing Writer BIO

Tim Healey was formerly an associate editor at Consumer Guide Automotive in Chicago. Before that he worked in the automotive industry as a service... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Quick Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Jetta TDI Cup
Before unveiling the redesigned 2011 Jetta, Volkswagen decided to drop a special treat into the... Read More

• N/ALEADERBOARD RANK
• 639ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
• 0COMMENTS POSTED

2010 Toyota Prius

On the road, the transmission settings noticeably affect the Prius' driving dynamics. Selecting "Power" does make the car feel quicker under acceleration, and the "EV" mode really does keep the gas engine shut off until 25 mph, if the throttle is applied lightly.

Impatient drivers may find themselves selecting the "Power" mode on a permanent basis. The Prius isn't particularly spry off the line, but pushing the "power" butting helps. Still, don't expect to win any drag races. Thinking ahead when passing on a two-lane is advised.

Around town, the Prius exhibits a few unfavorable ride and handling traits, no doubt due to the 15-inch wheels. There is a little too much body roll in corners, and the ride can be a bit soft at times. Interestingly, the ride does improve a bit at highway speeds--the Prius seems fairly comfortable on the interstate.

The shifter will take some getting used to--push forward to select reverse, back to select drive, and a button on the dash to select park. A traditional setup would be preferable, but that goes against the "high-tech" interior motif of the Prius. That motif includes several different info-graphics that drivers can use to monitor their eco-behavior. Otherwise, the cabin is a bit austere, and it looks and feels a bit on the cheap side.

One of the benefits of the egg-shaped Prius design is the hatchback, which swallows a fair amount of stuff, especially with the rear seats folded down. One drawback is that the sloping rear roof-line means items will have be shorter than a certain height to ride in the back cargo area. Storing smaller items is a breeze, thanks to large console and glovebox storage areas.

Of course, the big question about a Prius isn't, "How does it drive?" but rather, "What's the mileage?" I averaged around 39 mpg in my time with the car, which was far below expectations, but perhaps not surprising for a lead-footed journalist who lives in the city and rarely uses cruise control.

The updated Prius is a better car than the previous mdoel, although non-green auto enthusiasts may decry its egg-shaped styling, skinny tires, and slow acceleration.

Still, if maximum mileage is your goal, and you don't mind a few tradeoffs, the Prius gets the highest gas mileage of any car sold in the U.S. this year.