From the logbook: 2010 Toyota Prius

The last-generation Prius deserved a lot of accolades. It has been our Top Pick for Green Car for six years running. Of course, a big reason for that honor is that the Prius has the best fuel economy of any car currently tested. But that’s not all; it’s also roomy and reliable. Plus, according to our owner satisfaction data, owners love them.

All of this doesn’t mean the car was perfect. There was room for improvement inside, with some odd controls, lackluster interior materials, and a somewhat compromised driving position. The driving experience itself was affected by numb steering and body roll.

We looked forward to getting the redesigned 2010 Prius to see if it improved the overall package. The new car is slightly bigger, and Toyota claims it is both faster and gets better fuel economy, a combination of claims that can be mutually exclusive. To find out how Toyota did, we grabbed the first Prius we could get. Loaded up with heated leather seats and a JBL stereo, our Prius IV stickered at $26,750. (The base price starts at $22,750, all the better to rival the $22,010 Honda Insight EX.)

Did Toyota deliver on its promise of an improved Prius? Let’s see our engineers’ initial comments in the car’s logbook as the car gets its real-world break-in miles:

“Don’t like the energy display – looks like my old Atari 2600.”

“48.1 mpg over 370 miles, which included a trip to NYC.”

“Driving position greatly improved, thanks to more foot room, telescope wheel, and seat height/lumbar adjustments.”

“Split rear window is crap in the rain – wiper only clears small area.”

“55 mpg on the commute home.”

“With this kind of fuel economy and a base price of $23k, why bother with lithium-ion or plug-ins?”

“The color screen [in the last generation Prius] has been downgraded to a low-res green screen out of 1983.”

“Roomy, but high center stack takes up lots of room and makes it feel cramped.”

“Can easily get over 50 mpg if trying.”

“As an engineer, I’m impressed. As a Gen 2 Prius owner – not as much. There is little reason to trade in our ‘06 model.”

“I dislike the seat heater switches buried under the console.”

“Beeping in reverse is so annoying.”

“Numb steering, especially off-center.”

“Took four adults into New Haven – all said they were comfortable.”

“Hard to use instrumentation info modes – seem cumbersome and illogical.”

“Efficient transport, but no fun to drive.”

“Steering firmer [than previous Prius] but no more direct.”

“More engine torque and less boomy sounding.”

So, at first glance, the new Prius that is improved in several ways, but certainly isn’t devoid of annoyances. Unlike the Ford Fusion hybrid, a car that showed that you can buy a car that combines both high fuel economy and driving enjoyment, the Prius remains biased towards maximizing practical and efficient transportation.

We’ll see exactly how efficient it is when we finish running our full fuel economy tests—including city and highway driving cycles—as well as our other tests here at the track. We’ll also publish a First Drive with more driving impressions shortly.

Visit our Toyota Prius model overview, for pricing, specs, and eventually ratings and road test (available to online subscribers).

—Tom Mutchler

Comments

[Laura]

The 2010 Prius III is really economical to drive. Surprised they did not improve the left side rear visibility. When there is a passenger on the back left side which blocks the small window, changing lanes to change lanes or to merge left in traffic is very challenging. Have to also look at the rearview side mirror.

[Joe]

Does anyone know When will the 2010 Prius crash test results be published?

[DaveinOlyWA]

only real difference between a good product and a great product is continuous improvement. having owned a 2004, still own a 2006 and now with a 2010, Toyota has taken a great product and has made it better.

bigger, faster, more economical. if it weren't true it would qualify as a oxymoron. but it is true. easy to see that the 2010 Pri will make it 7 years in a row as the green machine. still no other car really in the same class. other hybrids simply dont measure up.

[Alan Parkinson]

The 2010 Prius is my first hybrid. I purchased it wanting to do something for the environment. I find it to be a comfortable car and enjoy driving it, although I agree with some of the comments above (small rear wiper, beeping in reverse is annoying, graphical display could be better). I consider these to be minor things. It feels very solid. Over the first 2000 miles it has averaged 54 mpg actual, as measured by miles driven divided by gas put into the tank. Now that we are into the hot part of the summer, with the air conditioner running a lot, mileage has dropped to about 50. As an engineer, I consider it technologically very impressive. Further, similarly equipped, the 2010 sticker is less than the 2009.

[richard stilwell]

my first hybrid is the 2010 Prius V. Very firm suspension, flat cornering, handles more like a sports car. Mileage between 40 and 50 MPG but only 1000 miles so far.I have driven it the same way I drive other cars with no attempt to maximize mileage. Cruises easily at 70-75 on the highway and is reasonably quiet. The Prius V comes with 17 inch wheels with low profile tires and apparently a different suspension. I like it.

[Mo]

According to NCAP, 2010 Prius crash test ratings should be available and posted on their website (safercar.gov) by middle August.

So far, I drove over 1000 miles and avg. 56 mpg without using any hypermiling skill.

My opinion, Prius is a good family car with the best fuel economy in the current market.

I really like the hatchback which provide extra cargo space.

[coolcar]

wish toyota would appeal to the functional side of me... I prefer a true wagon design (contrary to most Americans nowadays, lol) instead of the swoopy hatchback design of the prius.

I sat in one in at a local Toyota dealer... not too impressed with the center-stack design, because it looks like a toddler designed it... goofy, odd controls

IS TOYOTA EVEN TRYING TO MAKE THEIR CARS FUN TO DRIVE???
I think not!

I woud have to fall for the Fusion Hybrid's combo of handling, comfort, and fuel economy...

[younona]

@ Alan Parkinson, Thanks for your sincere opinion, even I was thinking about me to buy the new 2010 Toyota Prius. I found many reviews about this car; I recommend one more complete on topspeed.com. And I'm also fascinated by the new technology used by Toyota for this car.

[Rick]

I read an article at AutoBlogGreen (http://green.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/i-consumer-reports-i-2010-toyota-prius-still-most-fuel-effic/ ) that said in part:

"While CR did in fact see an improvement in highway mileage at 55 mpg (compared to 50 mpg from the previous Prius), the crew actually found that city fuel economy suffered a bit at 32 mpg as opposed to the 35 mpg of its predecessor."

I don't understand this. The Prius gets better mileage in city driving than highway driving - my Prius 4 is EPA rated at 51 city/48 highway, and I've gotten as high as 56 mpg on one tankful in mixed driving, mostly on surface roads. How in the world did you arrive at 32 mpg in city driving?