Driven: 2010 Toyota Prius
It has become almost passé to criticize Toyota products for being rather soulless, yet utterly effective, to drive. Prius, especially in the ubiquity that it has earned in its last generation, has toiled famously under the “appliance” descriptor—serving up masses of consumers with a high-mileage, low-effort driving experience. And while enthusiast-minded detractors everywhere may take issue with the very notion, the good people at Toyota Motor Corporation are well aware of their cars’ snoozing reputation and are far more willing than one might expect to create a different identity for their brand.
We mentioned it with the launch of the Venza—and suffered through the subsequent cries of being off our rockers—but Toyota seems to be making an honest effort at imbuing its product with a measure of steering weight and feel. The last Prius might have had the same sensory reward as Pole Position’s tiller, but the new car has taken up the challenge of providing its drivers with something slightly meatier to hang onto in a corner. While bowling through some of Napa’s bending, hilly roads we found Prius to have a very satisfying return on steering inputs, with a rack that was quick enough to keep pace with a moderate thrashing of switchbacks, hairpins, and faster banked turns. Much like Venza, the Prius helm never feels naturally actuated (there’s no doubt that a great deal of boosting and electronic fiddling has gone into the development), and has a distinctly not nice deadness at dead center, but it still goes about the process of steering the car with an unexpectedly playful nature.
Let us be perfectly clear here, before we lose all credibility as a publication aimed at enthusiastic drivers; the new Prius has not become an enthusiast-driving machine. Too-skinny tires (great for fuel economy) scrabble a bit for real grip when pushed, the car’s body flexes and rolls under cornering loads, and acceleration is well shy of brisk even in the most sporting of driving modes—more on that below. That said, Toyota has taken care to create a much more lively experience than could be had in the previous Prius, creating a car that is at least capable of amusing the average driver, while letting them keep a cleaner conscience than ever before.
It would be hard, in good faith, for us to review the 2010 Toyota Prius without some mention of fuel economy, despite the fact that it may be the one message that most readers have already heard, loud and clear. Since the car’s debut in Detroit this January, Toyota has been trumpeting its expected combined fuel economy number of 50 miles per gallon to anyone within earshot. True to form then, the Prius launch event wouldn’t have been complete without something like the, slightly informal, hypermiling challenge that Toyota PR posed to the assembled group of motoring hacks. We’ll just dispense with the dramatic buildup and tell you that our final fuel tally was a slightly jaw-dropping 70.9 mpg over the route of mostly suburban stop and go traffic, but that number only occurred as a result of a maddeningly slow average speed of 29 miles per hour. That’s crawling along as if in a school zone, including portions freeway driving, for what ended up being perhaps the least interesting 30 miles of driving that your author has ever encountered.
What was really interesting about the afternoon’s exercise though, was that none of the “normal” drivers on the road that day seemed to care about our snail’s pace. To them, it must have seemed, we were just another enthusiastic Prius driver. A revelatory notion, and one that means drivers of this next-generation hybrid are in for some tiny fuel bills.
Our hard-earned mpg number was also achieved using the two blandest of the car’s four distinct driving modes—Eco and EV. As one might guess by its initials, EV is an all-electric mode of operation for Prius, which is only usable with the battery in a fairly full state of charge, below roughly 20 mph or so, and for just one mile. Toyota engineers contend that EV mode might be employed for periods of driving when one may not want any excessive engine noise, presumably when pulling into a driveway after an especially late night at the office, but we’d wager it was included in the Prius package simply as a mild ego stroke for the ostentatious minority of the Green Driver set. Eco might be the setting that most drivers pick on most occasions in the real world, as it allows for more frugal throttle management than in the default setting, but with enough on tap to get up to highway speeds and cruise comfortably. The power mode allows for the most enthusiastic driving styles by far—fully unleashing the power available through Prius’ bigger 1.8-liter engine. The sporting setting also gives greater throttle response between 30 and 50 mph, and generally gives the car the sort of response time one would associate with an average gas-powered midsize sedan. It’s worth noting that we still managed to come home with a reading of just over 50 mpg, even after the aforementioned hilly driving loop was completed totally in power mode.
In addition to imbuing the car with a more dynamic character and far superior fuel capacity, Toyota has done a great job in furthering the tech cred of its signature hybrid. We were particularly impressed with the functionality of the Touch Tracer display system, which provides a heads-up display of the steering wheel-mounted controls, showing which particular button your thumbs are on at any given time, thus allowing for more time with eyes spent firmly facing the road. Well done Toyota. Further creature comforts were to be found in the backseats, which are far roomier in the noggin area thanks to the peak of the roofline being strategically moved backwards. The seats themselves (front and rear) were a bit soft and flat—perfect for casual cruising but lacking in any real lateral support.
In all, the 2010 Prius is safer, faster, greener, roomier, and more technologically advanced than ever before. It’s a car that should do phenomenally well at retaining current Prius owners as customers, while moving the goalposts just enough to entice a few more buyers at the fringes as well. The Prius achieved new icon status with its last new model—a fact that won’t be lost with this fresh face.
- Discuss (53 comments)
- Digg It
- Del.icio.us
- StumbleUpon
Comments
WindyCityBimmer
Still ugly as sin, that profile and back end are still some of the most horrendous on the road
Ducati Minor
Yeah, but so are Bimmers.
Mablt
Bu-t in i of bhldr. But if u r a tech freak itl win u over like BMW tech does.
Anonymous
The summer is coming,tiffany jewelry is your best choice.So you can choose a popular style tiffany jewelry for yourself.You will be more beautiful.
You may like 646-204 and 642-845,also you want to pass them.We can help you.
Do you want to buy uggs?Now uggs boots on sale of the uggs outlet are the most popular shoes.The best best-selling is ugg australia.
cet
thanks, By Brooklyn
Cary Ken
I'm not bothered by the aesthetics as much as I am by the unsafe viewing range of that back window. You've got a couple of inches of vertical visibility using your rearview mirror. I rented a Prius and couldn't believe how limited that was!
Dick Cook
The rearview shows all anyone needs to see rather than all you feel entitled to see, Prius isn't #1 in customer satisfaction by mistake, those folks "get it" while some never do and that's ok, too.
Aldo
Excellent/intelligent observation
Anonymous
When I come up to one of these lane cloggers struggling to keep up with the flow of traffic in the left lane, I downshift my Mustang GT with Flowmaster exhaust to 3rd gear and blow by them like they are standing still. Sure I may get 18mpg but the sound of a V8 is priceless. Something a Prius owner will never know.
Note to Prius owners. Please Hypermile in the far RIGHT lane.
Anonymous
You had to downshift to pass a Prius?
Wow, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you get your engine issues fixed...
Anonymous
Why do you want to go off the road to pass a car in the left lane? You should go to a race track and find out that Mustangs are (a lot of sound and not much go). And, quit racing on the road. Enjoy throwing your money away on gas for your V8 as I don't see them being made for much longer.
Anonymous
Mustangs are like Priuses, more for image than anything else. Handling is poor, gas mileage is poor, acceleration is not very good compared to a 4 cylinder Lotus. Seems a loud exhaust is a sure sign someone is trying to compensate for inadequacies elsewhere. Time to grow up.
Anonymous
Yep. I hear ya. They always have that look. That self satisfied "I made the right decision" look when you blow by.
They frown at you. At your inability to stick to the posted speed limit. They imagine all types of things about you, and mostly they wonder if you bought your car because you are trying to over compensate for your little things.
Which makes you wonder why THEY always bring that up?
I feel sorry for them.
They are soulless drones and will never understand.
Never.
They hate my motorcycle even more than your car.
Even though I get better gas mileage on that then they do in their eco rides.
And do you notice how they are cheering for the end of the performance car?
What will they do when Toyota makes a high performance green mobile that goes 0-60 in 4, and tops out a 150 MPH?
Anonymous
Well, Toyota is not far off that mark under the Lexus badge. The GS 450h goes 0 - 60 in about 5, and top track speed is about 130 MPH, and it still gets 22 city/24 hwy.
Anonymous
Mustangs well, made by ford, prolly why hes downshifting ? You might b more welcome on a mustang site
Anonymous
If you never owned a mustang don't slam the car. they have been made for 45 years & handling
is awesome. all you wimps kep on driving your hybrids. jerks!!!
Anonymous
I've seen almost every kind of vehicle clogging the left lane. If a Prius is clogging the left lane, it's the driver and not the car that is the culprit. A Prius can keep up with any traffic on any US highway. Perhaps, not on the German public race track, the Autobahn, but who wants to risk their life on that?
Anonymous
Ya, but get into a convertible mini, any ferrari or most sports cars and you get the same. big deal. I thikn it looks way better than last gen and kudos on the only comapny with notable sales of a hybrid.
Robert J
Not to mention that if in an accident where you're stuck inside the High Way Patrol will not use the jaws of life to get you out because the battery will ignite and explode. Hopefully this one though has a design where the battery drops out somehow. But if not people who are in accidents in their Prius' will have to wait for toyota to come out and discharge the battery. I really hope that they fixed the way this one drives. Cause the second generation Prius frankly drove like a boat (picture one of those big 70s Cadillac's) for a relatively small car it sure didn't handle very well.
Anonymous
I'm sure there are safety systems in place for the battery. There should be more worry about the fuel. It sounds like you have a lot of misconceptions about how the hybrid system works and how the power is delivered.
rwhitr
How long does the battery last? What does it cost to replace? What does environmentally sound disposal cost, and how is it done? If 50% of the nation's auto fleet were to become hybrid/electric vehicles, how many more electric power plants would we need?
Duke
I'm not sure how long the battery lasts, but doesn't Toyota warranty them for 100k miles or something? I have noticed that the values of used high-mileage Prii drops noticeably, probably out of a fear of replacing those batteries which, I've heard can run to about $3,500.
In terms of environmentally-friendly disposal, I think this point has been overblown. There are millions of regular cars on the road and each has at least one nasty lead-acid battery aboard. There is already a sizeable infrastructure for recycling these materials. The advanced batteries on hybrids and electric cars are almost entirely recyclable. Additionally, given their size, complexity, and cost, I don't exactly see people replacing them at home and any reputable repair shop that does this work will be sure to get them disposed of properly... if for nothing more than the huge core value. Battery disposal is a bigger problem for the millions of cell phones and laptop computers we throw away every year.
To your last point, these hybrids like the Prius don't require any additional power plants... they aren't plug-in... yet. Plug-in hybrids and battery-powered electric cars can be handled primarily with night-time off-peak power and even without this, there is a lot of research that the existing infrastructure can handle a few million at least. These at least open the possibility of home charging through alternative means such as local solar panels (as some owners have done) and it's a lot less difficult to control the pollution from one stationary power plant than it is hundreds of thousands of cars.
Bottom line is that no form of motorized transportation is without environmental impact but aside from this, there are ways to create electricity that don't involve buying fuel from the middle east.
Happy Days
From an '01 and '06 owner. Both have dead center steering feel and excessive road wander. Tried to get caster adjusted but was told caster was fixed. Suspect perpendicular caster helps gas mileage. I velieve my '01 was lighter on its feet and more fun to drive - within the constraints of Prius handling! '01 had much better visibility. '06 visibility is a serious problem, front and rear, almost a deal breaker. The driver and passenger "windowlets" frames ewere apparently were required for roof strength to offset the shallow angle of the windshield. Slipperyness trumped visibility.
'06 rear vision is a disaster. Very pleased to have the camera feature.
Happy Days
From an '01 and '06 owner. Both have dead center steering feel and excessive road wander. Tried to get caster adjusted but was told caster was fixed. Suspect perpendicular caster helps gas mileage. I velieve my '01 was lighter on its feet and more fun to drive - within the constraints of Prius handling! '01 had much better visibility. '06 visibility is a serious problem, front and rear, almost a deal breaker. The driver and passenger "windowlets" frames ewere apparently were required for roof strength to offset the shallow angle of the windshield. Slipperyness trumped visibility.
'06 rear vision is a disaster. Very pleased to have the camera feature.
Anonymous
The Toyota Prius is an exceptional car. It really hugs the road and gets great gas mileage. The older style with a truck was our favorite car.
The Prius design places all electronics up front in the engine area close to the exterior.
Any front end area crash over 25 miles per hour will total the car. It's too expensive for insurance companies to repair the sensitive electronic steering and other components.
GerBear42
Here is my opinion, offered free and worth every penny of it:
First off, I've owned fast cars for most of my like and, no ship, they are FUN! I've had a 308GTB, numerous Mustangs, and even a JDM tuner Prelude that could clock 156 in fairly short order before the rev limit kicked in. They all sounded great and had the suds to back it up. All great fun.
Now I drive a Prius and I can tell you that it's a different game. The car is pretty nimble, has tons of interior room (how'd they do that?) and pleasant to drive. Visibility could (and should) be better.
I don't hypermile 'cause following a 18 wheeler too close at freeway speeds is just plain stupid in my book. I do get around 50 mpg most of the time and that's pretty neat. And that's how that this game is played.
Now to the Road Boulder part. I've found that without any strain they can keep up with traffic flow in all but the most extreme conditions. The problem is the driver. If he wants to hypermile, he needs to keep his sorry ass to the right and keep an eye helping traffic flow at all times. Just because he owns a "smart" car doesn't mean he gets to be stupid.
Anonymous III
Nimble?
You're joking, right? My brother has one which I've driven two miserable times and we both agree it drives terrible ~ the only thing worse is being a passenger. He got it to save gas. The rolly-polly handling is nausea-inducing, the steering is the most numb-feeling setup I've ever had the misery of driving, there is no acceleration, the brakes STINK, the seats aren't very supportive or comfortable, etc, etc, etc...
Have you calculated how much gas savings you need to justify spending $25k on an econocar???
A used civic would cost 1/3 as much be x10 as much fun to drive and looks x100 nicer. Next time you shop for cars, don't believe the hype. Being the most loathed driver on the road can't be worth $25k for the privilege of driving an ugly golf cart, can it?
Redbaron
I traded my Jeep Grand Cherokee in for a 2006 Prius and first test was to drive from Pa to Las Vegas and back. Plenty of power, tons of room (it is like a minin SUV) and my average mgp is 47.5. Mine is an option 8, with all the bells and whistles and it did take to learn all the features. But, once known, it is an outstanding car with a futuristic appearance. Only compaint I have is that the gas tank bladder will not take the full 11 gallons in the winter.
My experience with the Prius over the last 3 years has been all positive and I will never return to an SUV. I like the 2010 Prius and will probably buy one once the gas price returns to $4 gallon (which it will) so that I can get a good trade in on mine.
For those on the fence, the battery warranty is 8 years and by then a replacement battery will probably be in the $1000 range.
Anonymous
You're going to spend @ $25,000 to save money on gas?
LOL!
Wow, sounds really economical...
TagMan
Designing the dash's primary display in a position that is more towards the center of the car instead of in front of the driver where it should be, is just plain poor ergonomics and stupid.
This is a significant flaw because it represents a constant dysfunctional and compromised interaction between the driver and the vehicle's primary information display.
Otherwise, I am quite impressed.
TagMan
Victor Manuel Mena
Very good , nace Car. Es un hermoso carro y el consumo bajo de gassolina ..Ok
Audiojohn
The one item I'm surprised no one has commented on - is it quieter on the highway than the old one??
tom agnew
The thing I never hear mentioned about the Prius is how clean it is- if what comes out the pipe is about as good as the air in most cities that is a huge accomplishment. As far as dissing it for being underpowered, I have a test I put all test drives or new cars through- the Bozeman Pass. My 07 Prius goes up it at 95 mph ( albeit only making 22 mpg, still double or triple what the pickups and suvs are making ). Not bad. Yes there is room for improvement in the brakes, seat comfort and handling, but for 95% of drivers 98% of the time this is plenty of car and just makes a hell of a lot of sense.
tom agnew
The thing I never hear mentioned about the Prius is how clean it is- if what comes out the pipe is about as good as the air in most cities that is a huge accomplishment. As far as dissing it for being underpowered, I have a test I put all test drives or new cars through- the Bozeman Pass. My 07 Prius goes up it at 95 mph ( albeit only making 22 mpg, still double or triple what the pickups and suvs are making ). Not bad. Yes there is room for improvement in the brakes, seat comfort and handling, but for 95% of drivers 98% of the time this is plenty of car and just makes a hell of a lot of sense.
Aldo
Enthusiastic driver must mean fast driver. Fortunately, I am not an enthusiastic boyfriend. I have No enthusiasm for sophisticated technology or affordability, or reduced reliance on gasoline. No, I am only 'enthusiastic' about how fast I can go in a straight line, an how quickly I can take a curve.
glib reporting on boring cars my fit the profile of the reader of this online publication. Frankly, these are the attitudes of old out of shape drivers who get there thrills from 'going fast.'
sohpet
Thanks
Prius Battery Replacement Cost
From Consumer Reports: October 2008
A frequently voiced concern about hybrids centers around the high cost of replacement batteries, which have ranged up to about $3,000. Now some relief may be on the way. Toyota announced last month that it has reduced the price of replacement batteries for the current (2002-2009) Prius by $686, to $2,299. Batteries for the first-generation Prius dropped $397 to $2,588.
That still seems like a lot of money. But overall, we have found hybrids to be very reliable in our subscriber surveys and relatively inexpensive to own. Automakers are required to warranty batteries for 8 years and 80,000 miles nationwide or 10 years and 150,000 miles in states that follow California emissions regulations. Relatively few hybrids have exceeded that mileage yet.
Given the length of the battery warranty, even if a hybrid owner does have to replace the battery pack after 80,000 or 150,000 miles, the cost is comparable to the cost of a transmission, which would likely have failed in other cars before that point. And hybrids have fewer other issues, which more makes up for any added battery cost.
Toyota says it has been able reduce costs in part by building its own batteries through its joint venture with Panasonic, through Panasonic EV Battery Corp., thereby reducing the impact from the battery middleman. And the company says it expects battery price drops to continue.
The nickel-metal hydride batteries in the all of the current hybrid vehicles are also recyclable which may help with price reductions.
Cheaper batteries are good news for more than owners of hybrids today. Electric cars, and hybrids that plug in for extra power are the most promising near-term alternative to oil consumption. And those cars will require bigger and better batteries to meet consumer demands for performance and range.
The next generation of advanced batteries are called lithium-ion batteries, like the one we had installed in the plug-in Prius we are testing. Lithium Ion batteries are smaller and lighter for the same energy storage capacity and so lend themselves better to full electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. However, they cost even more than nickel-metal hydride batteries. And expensive lithium-ion batteries are the biggest stumbling block to building more electric cars. So the race is on to lower the price of batteries across the board.
Toyota will start building lithium-ion batteries in 2009 and mass-producing them in 2010, the company says. But Toyota’s National Manager of Advance Technology Vehicles Bill Reinert says the company is already looking beyond lithium ion for future energy storage.
malone
Thanks for the info as I have owned a prius and now own a hybrid hylander and have more than 150,000 miles on it. It is running strong and I love the fact that it pases on a dime andif I didn't have such a lead foot, I know I would get better gas mileage. The prius got me 50mpg going from Houston to Dallas - not bad.
Anonymous
I am glad to see that the Toyota Prius is getting over 50 MPG. However in order to get that kind of mileage they have to skimp somewhere, or in the case of the Prius everywhere. It is a hideous vehicle, does not handle well when cornering, is expensive to work on, and lacks structural integrity. I know the big V8's guzzle the fuel, but I would much rather get 18 - 22 MPG in my Crown Vic, knowing that I am driving a car that handles well, is easy and inexpensive to work on, and that if I were unfortunate enough to get in a little fender bender, my car will not be totaled. I have seen what happens to the little Prius when it gets hit. It is not a pretty sight. My Crown Vic, however, has been in 3 fender benders, (none of which were my fault) all of which I drove away from with very little to fix, while the smaller import cars (2 Honda Civics, and a Toyota Corolla) were not so lucky. I will choose my safety, and the safety of my family over driving the eco car any day.
"But I get great MPG's in the Prius!" You may say. Well, take all of that money you are saving on gas, and hold onto it, because when those batteries go out, you will be needing it. All of it, if not more. Yes, you will be taking it to the dealership to get the work done. Yes, you will be paying a lot to get the batteries, and for any work to be done.
But hey, that's a small price for you to pay in order to save the planet, and earn the "I'm better than you" attitude that comes with the purchase of any Prius
MaviSakaL
Woowwwwwwwww
Sesli Sohbet
Sesli Chat
SesliSohbet
SesliChat
sesli ve görüntülü chat
sesli ve görüntülü sohbet
Chat
sohbet MaviSakaL
cacala
sesli panel
sesli sohbet
sesli chat
seslichat
tatil otelleri
kiralık tekne
tekirdağ nakliyat
Tekirdağ evden eve nakliyat
Lif yapılışı
lcmarrio
I am glad to see that the Toyota Prius is getting over 50 MPG. However in order to get that kind of mileage they have to skimp somewhere, or in the case of the Prius everywhere. It is a hideous vehicle, does not handle well when cornering, is expensive to work on, and lacks structural integrity. I know the big V8's guzzle the fuel, but I would much rather get 18 - 22 MPG in my Crown Vic, knowing that I am driving a car that handles well, is easy and inexpensive to work on, and that if I were unfortunate enough to get in a little fender bender, my car will not be totaled. I have seen what happens to the little Prius when it gets hit. It is not a pretty sight. My Crown Vic, however, has been in 3 fender benders, (none of which were my fault) all of which I drove away from with very little to fix, while the smaller import cars (2 Honda Civics, and a Toyota Corolla) were not so lucky. I will choose my safety, and the safety of my family over driving the eco car any day.
"But I get great MPG's in the Prius!" You may say. Well, take all of that money you are saving on gas, and hold onto it, because when those batteries go out, you will be needing it. All of it, if not more. Yes, you will be taking it to the dealership to get the work done. Yes, you will be paying a lot to get the batteries, and for any work to be done.
But hey, that's a small price for you to pay in order to save the planet, and earn the "I'm better than you" attitude that comes with the purchase of any Prius
lcmarrio
fdsjgwghklewjklfsdkfnkldshgewhiognekl;wgdr
zirvesesli
Sesli chat
Sesli sohbet
sesli
affekyr
toyota is my best car. i love this car so much
stop dreaming start action
stop dreaming start action
belajar seo
sharon0610
AYpearl specialize in wholesale jewelry, handmade jewelry，fashion jewelry,costume jewelry,discount jewelry ,cheap jewelry, wholesale pearl ,wholesale crystal,wholesale gemstone ,wholesale turquoise ,wholesale coral,wholesale shell, wholesale Austrian crystal,wholesale china jewelry,wholesale handmade jewelry,wholesale costume jewelry,wholesale fashion jewelry,handcrafted jewelry,
wholesale jewellerycicurug
my favorite car
Stop Dreaming Start Action | Rusli Zainal Sang Visioner | sukabumi | lowongan kerja
terapix
film
izle Film izle film izle Film izle film izle Film izle tatil Tatil tatil Tatil okul elbisesi
Okul Elbisesi giyim Giyim okey Okey film izle Film izle komik Komik
wallace530
good post,I think so!abercrombie and fitch on Sale, Hoodies, Jeans, T-Shirts, Pants, Polos abercrombie and fitch abercrombie fitch abercrombie cheap abercrombie and fitch Abercrombie Men Tee abercrombie womens polos abercrombie and fitch Men, women, and children's clothing. abercrombie and fitch , abercrombie and fitch
fashion is bold and interesting, all thanks to the interestingand original designs of Don ed hardy . The bold patterns and loud colors of the ed hardy
clothing line help anyone to stand out and add an interesting piece to
their wardrobe. Those who are looking for a rock edge will find that ed hardy clothing
dresses are the perfect piece for their next night out on the town, or
day trip to a restaurant.
The rectangle shaped face needs links of london
jewelry that adds width and camouflages the length of the face. A high
choker reduces the length of the face, particularly if the neck is too
long. In addition, a 16¡å or 18¡å necklace that ends in a ¡°U¡±
flatters this face. Long hair and narrow links of london is perfect match which can impress others as a fair lady. Fancy clothes coordinating links of london with slight tint could be better.
Provides the best tiffany jewellery, including Necklaces, Pendants, Bracelets, Earrings, Rings at the lowest prices.tiffany jewellery is the best online United Kingdom jewelry stores where you can buy the cheapest tiffany jewelry Co silver jewelry. Our huge selection of tiffany uk and tiffany jewellery and tiffany jewelry.
tiffany jewellery
travelinfo
Thats valuable information. Thanks for sharing nice article Travel Info | Weight Loss Tips