Taking a 2010 Toyota Prius preview drive
Toyota updates the Prius for the 2010 model year, with more power and better fuel efficiency.
(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)The most important thing to remember about the much-anticipated 2010 Prius model update is that Toyota is, at its heart, a conservative company. Add to that Toyota's desire not to spoil the continued success of the previous Prius model, and you get a new car that isn't radically changed from its predecessor.
The Prius still uses Toyota's Synergy hybrid system, a full hybrid system that propels the car under electric power at low speeds. It's still shaped like a speed bump, with a hatchback and a quick drop-off at the back. And the cabin tech still uses a DVD-based navigation system, and lacks a USB port or iPod integration for the audio system.
However, Toyota did give it a slightly bigger engine, a 1.8-liter four cylinder, increasing the power, and at the same time increasing the fuel economy. Some reshaping around the grille and hood brings in Toyota's new design language, while the roof peak has been moved back a bit to increase rear head room and create better aerodynamics. The cabin now includes a floating console and a shift lever with a more traditional layout than the previous one. And Toyota gives the Prius some new tech tricks, such as adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, and automatic parking.
We got our hands on the new Prius during a preview event, and found that it drives very similarly to the previous generation. The net horsepower from the new power train comes out to 134, over the older model's 110, which you can feel during hill climbs and acceleration at speed. Toyota claims a 0 to 60 mph time of 9.8 seconds for the new model. It's hardly a drastic change in power over the old car, but it is usable.
Toyota added drive modes, letting drivers choose Power, Eco, and EV programs.
(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)Toyota added driving mode buttons, so you can set the car for Eco or Power driving. The Eco setting maps down the acceleration curve at midthrottle, while Power increases it, resulting in noticeably better hill climb and fast start capability. The effect of these modes are negated when you mash the pedal, which tells the Prius to give it everything it's got no matter what mode it's in. Toyota also added an EV button, which tells the car to drive under electric power until either the driver calls for more acceleration than the electric motor can produce, the battery gets too low, or the car goes above 25 mph.
The battery pack uses improved cooling over the previous model, but it still uses nickel-metal-hydride cells. When we asked a Toyota representative why it hadn't made the leap to lithium ion batteries, he said lithium ion would only improve the car's efficiency by a very small amount. With the higher price of lithium ion batteries, the efficiency gain was too small to justify.
The fuel economy has been increased from 45 mpg in the older car to 50 mpg in the newer one. During our time behind the wheel, we didn't get a chance to really test the real-world fuel economy, but during a fuel economy challenge round, journalists were pulling in numbers above 75 mpg with careful driving.
Unfortunately, the wobbly handling is still in full force with the new Prius. It makes no claims to sporting performance. Toyota did improve the aerodynamics partly be reshaping the body, and partly by putting trays underneath to keep air pressure from backing up in suspension components. Two fins underneath act as a splitter, which is supposed to increase high speed stability, but during this event our driving routes didn't have any freeway segments.
Toyota made minor improvements to the navigation system.
(Credit: Wayne Cunningham/CNET)As for the cabin tech, it's a minor step above what can be had in the current model. The navigation system has improved menu graphics, but is largely the same. It does incorporate live traffic now, a welcome addition. For the audio system, the Prius has a disc slot behind the LCD, satellite radio, and an auxiliary input. The big addition for audio sources is Bluetooth streaming audio, but we would still like to see either a USB port or iPod integration.
One change we don't like so much is that Toyota removed the power flow animation and trip data from the LCD. Instead, this information is shown on the instrument cluster, which, as on the previous Prius, sits in a long display just below the windshield. Unfortunately, the graphics on the instrument cluster are far inferior to what was shown on the LCD. Toyota made this change so that even if you didn't get the optional navigation system, you would still get the power flow display. We think it's time the LCD was standard, even if you don't get navigation. Strangely, Toyota made the average mpg display small and unassuming on the instrument cluster, a number you would think they would want to highlight with large digits.
The new adaptive cruise control feature uses radar in the front of the car to determine the speed of any vehicles in front. In our testing, we found it would slow the Prius down pretty abruptly if needed, but it only works down to about 30 mph. Lane departure warning works in conjunction with a feature called Lane Keep Assist. If you drift over a lane line, the car will sound a tone, then actually give the steering wheel a tug back into the lane. When we tried it, we heard the tone, but couldn't really feel the tug on the steering wheel, although we weren't on an optimal road to try it out.
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10 extra horses are always welcome when you're like me and you live in a very hilly area.
Also remember that the 2k4 Prius had lower MPG on the highway because of the underpowered engine, the extra horses make the highway/city MPG numbers closer together.
Oh yeah? Do you know how many huge SUVs I see all over the roads with women drivers and a couple of kids in the back? I'm not talking about off-roading or octumoms that need the extra seats. I'm talking women who like the high driver's seat, all that metal between them and their precious cargo (their kids), and all the kids' stuff, groceries, etc., they have to carry around. I'm not justifying nor denouncing such actions; rather I'm pointing out that generalizing the way you did is not anywhere close to reality.
About the new Prius, I applaud the more radical approach to the styling even on a car like this. The big criticism of the Prius was it looks too goofy, too economy, or too hybrid. This started changing with the 2nd generation Prius. The 3rd generation Prius definitely shows that a car that was born as a hybrid doesn't have to LOOK hybrid. Toyota obviously took the headlight styling cues from Nissan. They use the same exact headlight design on their new Maxima and 370Z.
Now the question us 6 footers have is how much leg room does it have? Or will we have to settle for mid-sized hybrid alternatives?
It's also obvious that Toyota has tried to cut electrical draw too in order to conserve. I am not sure this is going to convince many to convert. But those that do, will not be concerned with their changes because they are Green people and its for the cause. Myself I like my Pontiac Vibe and do very well with a 4 cylinder. But I am not convinced as yet in the hybrid technology to make the switch. I will wait to see how long term reliability goes first.
I forget the numbers exactly, but I remember reading that it is more economical and MUCH cheaper to continue driving WHATEVER car you have, and driving it until it dies, than it is to buy a new Prius, etc. Do the math of the payments you will be making on the $25,000+ Prius, plus the increased maintenance costs (harder to work on a hybrid yourself), plus the cost of a new battery pack as you near 100,000 miles.... See what I mean? Compare that to even an SUV that you now own outright. I dare say that will be cheaper in the long run.
One thing about the EPA ratings though is that they can be played like any index. You'll find a lot of Japanese V6s with inflated MGP figures compared to 4 bangers, but in real world driving, the 4 bangers are going to get better mileage.
Either way, I rented a Prius in Florida, which is flat. It was christmas, so it wasn't hot and the AC wasn't working hard. I got 49mpg in real driving for the whole holiday. So it delivers what it promises when not pushed up mountains or asked to take 100% humidity out of 100 degree air.
Lithium Ion in a hybrid car is a VERY BAD IDEA. We tolerate Li-Ion in laptops and cellphones where their high energy density and lightweight offset the technology's inherent tendecy to go up in flames.
A laptop bursting into flames is one thing, an entire vehicle bursting into flames is another matter entirely.
Lithium is just as toxic as cadmium, and I think that Car battery technology should move in the direction of more common, and less toxic metals, such as further development of lead-acid and zinc-air batteries.
And in order for there to really be a huge leap forward in hybrid, etc. technology, their will have to be a massive paradigm shift in battery technology, not just making existing ones better...
The battery is Nickle Metal Hydride (NiMH) same as the prior versions, not Nickle Cadmium.
EV mode kicks out at 33 MPH, not 25 (higher would be nice for flat or down slope stretches with higher speed limits :) ).
ALL models prior to the 2010 had the touch screen as STANDARD whether or not it had Nav, In the 2006+ versions, the display is higher res if it has Nav, But I agree, it should be STANDARD and they should put the controls back on it that they took off in the 2010 (Climate, radio). And the power flow/consumption screens should be available there as well. Bigger and easier to see.
While Toyota makes a big deal of the "touch tracer" controls showing on the 'instrument cluster' as being safer because you don't need to move your eyes off the road much, they lowered the touch screen (if the car has NAV), took climate control totally off the screen and took the front and rear defrost buttons off the wheel, placing them all as individual (non tactile) buttons below the radio controls (not shown in the CNET pictures). The 'air flow' button appears to be a "hold until you get the one you want" (Shown where? Maybe on the 'instrument cluster') whereas the current version has specific 'buttons' on the touch screen. Where is the "eyes less off the road" safety in all that??
The shifter is RARELY used in a Prius (it even puts itself in Park when you shut down, though Park is a button, not a shifter point), is now on what the author called a 'floating console' and between the driver and the 3 'Power mode' buttons, the Emergency flasher button and the climate controls buttons rather than out of the way on the dash where the Power button is on the 2010. Besides losing the drawer under the arm rest/console, the 'floating console' appears to move the forward cup holder back to where it will be difficult to use and the rearward one (now IN the armrest console with a sliding and hinged cover) pretty much impossible.
The CD slots behind the Display (for NAV equipped cars) is certainly not easier to use than the single slot 6 CD changer available in current models.
So, while they have improved the mechanical aspects of the car, they have degraded the ergonomics for the driver. Of course, anyone who has never driven a 2004-2009 Prius won't know what they are missing and probably won't care as much since the 2010 is more like the 'regular car' they are used to. Sad loss for all. Glad I'm not in the market to replace either the 2004 or 2006 Prius in the driveway.
on the PLUG-IN version of this new 2010 Prius! That is what I want!!
The seats are the most uncomfortable seats I and my passengers had ever sat in. Stiff, narrow, and no lumbar support. Within 45 minutes, we all had back and neck pains, no matter how much we played with the seat adjustments. What's the point of getting 50 mpg when you can't even sit in the vehicle for longer than 15 minutes (before the pain kicks in).
The navigation sreen is still a bad idea, very cumbersome to navigate, especially if the sun hits it (like trying to use a laptop computer in the daylight). You are frequently taking your hands off the wheel and your eyes off the road to change something as simple as the temperature fan control in the car. Some radio and temperature cars are on the steering wheel, but not all of them. It is a dangerous "safety feature."
There is no temperature gauge. There's a tach and a speed gauge, but no temperature gauge. When your car overheats, I suppose a little light will come on somewhere, but you will never know in advance.
You can hook up your iPod through a $400 Toyota accessory. However, be sure the dealer installs the Toyota part and not a third-party rip-off (as mine did). However, the iPod feature only shows the first eight characters of the song and artist. No scrolling.
I took it back and bought a Camry (NOT Hybrid). The ride is smoother, the suspension better, and not as noisy as the Prius. Oh, and did I mention it has Lumbar Support!
Plus I now have a car that I can take to my regular mechanic for maintenance. With the Prius, you are pretty much relegated to using the Dealership. (Warning: With the car's low clearance, there is no skid plate under the engine. Careful going over bumps or potholes, or your engine will suffer!)
Sorry, I really wanted to believe in the Prius. I would have thought that after two generations and 7-8 years, they would have fixed some basic problems with the car. But it sounds like the 2010 just continues sallying forth (yes, it really does sway horribly at freeway/highway speeds).
- There is a new center console (your picture shows it with the shift lever on it) that intrudes into the passenger cabin and completely separates the driver and passenger seats, something like the console in a commercial jet.
- The front cupholders have been moved from the front of the armrest to inside the armrest and the aux power and audio input are moved from the front wall of the compartment to the bottom so that a spill will go into the armrest compartment and into the power and audio jacks instead of onto the front mats. OUCH!
- The back cupholders have been moved from the back of the front armrest to a new armrest built into the back seat. A spill will go onto the seats instead of onto the rear mats. OUCH AGAIN!
- I hate leather seats with a vengeance. I won't even allow leather furniture into my house. In the 2010 Prius the cool electronics package is combined with leather. No leather, no cool electronics (Smart Key System, Auto-Dimming Mirror with Homelink, Voice-Activated Navigation System and Backup Monitor, Tilt/Slide Moonroof, Solar Powered Ventilation System, and Remote Air Conditioning System).
- If forcing leather on you isn't bad enough, if you want the Fog Lamps, Intelligent Park Assist, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Pre-Collision System, and Lane Keep Assist, you have to give up the Moonroof and Solar Powered Ventilation System.
What the heck was Toyota thinking?
In the meantime I'm working at other ways like a tankless hot water heater so I don't heat water all the time. This saves me from the equivalent of running my car 24 hours a day just in case I need to go to the store. Now I won't have it that way anymore.
As a disclaimer, I hate coal plants. My bet for the future is on solar power.
Want to SAVE BIG $? Buy a 5years old Corolla and drive it for another 10years!
I REALLY don't like where they moved the "stick". The Prius does not have a manual transmission so it is stupid to put it there. I like it much better on the previous Prius. Note that I own a 2007 Touring version.
I really don't like the new display either. They have dumbed down the whole car to make it look more like "normal" cars. I'm sick of "normal" cars.
As for the outside styling? The hump on the hood of the car needs to go. Again another stupid styling choice. As for the roof being moved back? My 6'4" friend had no problem with leg or head room sitting behind me in my Prius with my driver's seat moved all the way back. I'm 5'11".
Love my Prius ... maybe the 2011 will fix a few things and I can upgrade then ... I'd hate to think that I would have to switch to a Honda (I can't believe I even typed that!) or some other brand to get what I want ...
I'm disappointed to see the energy flow go, that was how I explain the system to all my friends who are unfamiliar with the System, it's certainly not a deal-breaker for any prospective buyers out there, just a bit of a let-down. I love that my Prius had a tape deck, because i still feel its the easiest, cheapest and most reliable form of PMP connection, iPod, Zune, Creative or what have you.
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by spurs11
March 25, 2009 3:51 PM PDT
- i bought a used 2007 Prius for $16,000 (25k miles). I average more than 50mpg each tank of gas and all you Prius haters think I'm not saving money and helping the environment?? Do your research, the batteries last over 100k miles and can be recycled. They do not hurt the environment if handled properly at the end of their life. Mass production of the actual car does far more damage to the environment than the battery comes close to doing. What to help the environment? Buy used ,buy a motorcycle, ride a bike. Be the change you want to see and shut up. The Prius is far and away a step in the right direction. It's too bad so many of you buy into all the conspiracies out there.
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by streamline35
March 26, 2009 2:15 AM PDT
- I agree 100%. Prius haters love to talk about how bad production of the prius is for the environment, and how we should actually buy a used car. They likely say this from the comfort of their new chevy tahoe, or some other disgusting monstrosity. Face it, people are going to buy new cars, and like you said, the prius, and other hybrids and fuel efficient vehicles like it are far and away a step in the right direction.
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