2010 Toyota Prius Review | Buyer Guide
Better Than Ever
You have to hand it to Toyota—they have taken what was the state-of-the-art hybrid car and made it even better. If you liked the last Prius, you are going to love the new one. Toyota has improved its most popular hybrid in almost every way, and added a number of high-tech options.
The 2010 Prius is about the same size as its predecessor, but it gets sharper styling, and is now more aerodynamic. Toyota squared off the bumpers, and added sharp creases along the flanks to help achieve a super low 0.25 coefficient of drag. The windshield has a steeper slope, and the apex of the curving roof has moved back four inches, which not only enhances the appearance, but also increases the headroom for rear-seat passengers. The nose of the Prius now features a narrower grille and a more prominent Toyota logo.
Toyota revamped the interior as well. Responding to customer complaints, the designers improved the front seats. They made them larger, added more seat travel, and gave the driver a height adjuster. They also moved the gear selector from the dash to a more conventional location on the console. The digital information display has been relocated too. It is now centered on the dash at the base of the windshield. It’s long, narrow and crammed with graphs and data. I found it confusing. In the rear of the Prius, legroom, as well as headroom, has been improved. A tall person won’t feel scrunched back there anymore.
Under the hood, Toyota enlarged the size of the gas engine from 1.5 liters to 1.8, and increased the horsepower by 22 to 98. Together with the electric motor there’s 134 hp on tap. This new combo provides improved acceleration and better fuel economy. The 2010 Prius is EPA rated at 50-mpg City/ 49-mpg Highway. A lighter-weight continuously variable transmission (CVT) completes the power train.
The new Prius lets the driver choose from three alternative power modes. The “Eco” mode squeezes out more fuel economy by controlling the throttle opening, and reducing air conditioning operation. The “Power” mode increases throttle response, and really makes a difference when climbing a hill. The “EV” mode uses the electric motor only, and will propel the Prius at low speeds up to a mile.
Current Prius owners may be surprised when they see the expanded list of options available on the 2010 model. In addition to leather seats and a navigation system, buyers will now get a solar panel when they order the sunroof. The panel powers a fan to cool the interior when the car is parked. Another option enables the driver to turn on the air conditioning remotely. But for some reason, you still can’t get a power driver’s seat.
However, Toyota makes up for this with options that you would normally expect to find only on a high-end Lexus. Customers can select radar-guided cruise control that maintains a constant interval between their Prius and the car ahead of them. They can also get a lane-departure warning system that will alert them if they wander across the road. Finally, there’s the futuristic Intelligent Parking Assist that will parallel park their Prius for them.
But perhaps more important than the extended option list is the improved drivability of the 2010 Prius. The biggest improvement, in my view, is the addition of a power mode. It makes climbing hills easier, and gives you a boast in confidence when you pull out to pass. Beyond that, this Prius rides and handles better. It smoothes out the road better, and feels more self-assured on twisty roads. However, the brakes are still not easy to modulate.
Pricing for the 2010 Prius starts at $22,750 for the Prius II model, and ranges up to $28,020 for the top-of-the-line Prius V. My Prius IV test car came with heated leather seats, JBL audio, the Smart Key system, Bluetooth wireless technology and the optional Solar Roof package. The bottom line read $30,150.
Snapshot Review
More Comfort
More Power
Better Gas Mileage
High-End Options
