Road Test: 2010 Toyota Prius
Consider the dilemma Toyota faces when it considered refreshing the Prius.
Almost as soon as the first mass market hybrid was first introduced in Japan in 1997 and in the U.S. in 2001 it has won a legion of loyalists approaching cult-like devotion. Woe the poor Toyota designer that confronts the canvas that is the Prius.
Of course, plunging gas prices and competitors' offerings has placed Toyota in a horse race to keep the Prius in a race to keep its crown. That's actually good news for Prius devotees. All of their favorite features of the distinctive car are intact, and the best part - the gas mileage - has been boosted from 46 mpg to 50 mpg. Throw in advanced technology, extra power, space and safety features, and you have a car any Prius lover will enjoy. Add to that an affordable $22,000 sticker price and you have the push that might tip fence sitters toward this hybrid.
Except for a few minor driving adjustments, I was pleased to see the Prius really is an easy car to enjoy thanks in large part to its responsive - some might even say nimble - handling. But make no mistake - the Prius is not a sports car. It is plenty peppy enough for even the most punishing summer highway driving such as the Indy 500-like traffic of the Washington (D.C.) Capital Beltway, but it's a family car at its heart that offers a solid, comfortable ride with plenty of space which many of its competitors don't offer.
The car's expanded futuristic design will no doubt appeal to many drivers including the well-heeled buyers that want to make 'green statements.'?
2010 Toyota Prius Exterior
The 2010 Toyota Prius I drove was a prototype, but based on the recently delivered models at local dealerships the body has basically the same aerodynamic design as the past models many have known and loved, but features some modern tweaks. One of those is a forward extended front pillar and a roof that moved just under four inches to the rear, which Toyota said improves aerodynamics. Another design change is a wider rear stance thanks to wider rear treads. But don't think these changes eliminate the slim body. The 2010 Prius is the same height and wheelbase as past models and only .6 inches longer than past models.
To the casual observer, the Prius looks just as it has but the few novel changes do up the modern look ante, which will undoubtedly appeal to those that seek to make overt 'cutting edge'? statements.
Keeping with the trendy styling, the Prius is available in some modish colors including Blizzard Pearl, Sandy Beach Metallic, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Winter Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic and Black mated to three interior colors available in both fabric and leather.
2010 Toyota Prius Interior
It was difficult not to be impressed by the Prius' cargo space, which easily held plenty of sports equipment and even several large shopping bags. The 2010 Prius' interior grew .4 inches in length and 2.2 inches in width between 2009 and now, according to Toyota, which noted the space comes from an improved layout of the battery cooling system. Headroom and legroom was also generous, even in the back, which easily - and I'll add amply - accommodated two average-sized adults.
The cockpit and center cluster aren't fancy but they are intuitive and within easy reach. There are also some new steering wheel switches - which Toyota calls the 'Touch Tracer Display'? - that when touched displays the audio or information directly on an instrument panel in front of the driver.
That allowed me to make changes to audio without taking my eyes off the road, which to my way of thinking was also a huge safety plus.
Toyota notes that plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics are used in the car specifically in the seat cushion foam; cowl side trim, inner and outer scuff plates, and deck trim cover.
Despite some critics' nay saying that the Prius doesn't offer enough fun, Toyota might well argue that there's plentiful fun in the cabin of the five-passenger Prius. In fact, it has a space-age feel to it thanks to the colored dashboard monitors, keyless ignition, tilting and telescoping steering wheel, high-tech connectivity, and killer sound system with eight speakers.
Of course the higher end you go with the four current models (an entry level model is not yet in dealers' showrooms), the more 'fun'? you can expect by way of auto dimming mirrors, driver-adjustable lumbar support, and even heated front seats. There's an array of extra systems you can buy depending on your navigation, sunroof and technology interests.
2010 Toyota Prius Performance
Toyota has made much of the new platform upon which the 2010 Prius rides, which improves handling stability and collision safety plus creates a quieter ride. Whether riding on back roads or highways, the Prius performed well with nary a bit of hesitation at acceleration and smooth, nimble handling. I had expected a noisier ride based on others' experiences but I found the cabin very quiet and comfortable with hardly any vibration or road noise.
When compared to previous models, the 2010 Prius is powered by a larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle engine. The four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation. My drive proves this power is put to great use.
Braking was smooth and firm which Toyota would credit to the disc brakes that are now used on all four corners, replacing the front disc/rear drum brakes in earlier models.
The Prius has various power settings, which allow you to conserve gas, quicken throttle response and even run on full electric power.
You'll read some reviewers give Prius thumbs down for a stiff ride, but I didn't find it much different than many 'standard'? sedans. Again, this is not a sports car; so if you want jackrabbit starts with the nimbleness of an Olympic sprinter, look elsewhere. This car isn't a sports car and doesn't perform as such.
2010 Toyota Prius Safety
The models now in showrooms have Toyota's Star Safety System, Vehicle Stability Control and Traction Control Systems, Anti-lock Brake system and Electronic Brake Force Distribution. The government crash test ratings aren't yet available, but past models had four- and five-star ratings.
In the fall, some Prius models will have even more safety features and options including Automatic Collision Notification and Emergency Assistance Button (think OnStar), Stolen Vehicle Location (think Lojack) and Roadside Assistance (think AAA).