2010 Toyota Prius

Pros: High MPG, Very Roomy inside, no engine belt to replace, quiet, tons of options, solar vent system, lots of safety features, much improve styling over the 2009, sonar cruise control, really nice JBL stereo system upgrade, different engine modes

Cons: Can't get the nice rims from rims off the Prius V onto an other level of Prius, the heated seats buttons are in a odd spot, the plastic dash material shows finger prints, the self park system is not ready for most situations,

Summary: I drove an Insight and each one of the 2010 Prius levels and I find the Insight feels like a classic cramped econo car, while the Prius feels like a nice mid-size sedan. The Honda Insight maybe a couple of grand cheaper, but the driving experience feels cheaper. If you drive the Insight in Eco mode, the AC cooling stops when your vehicle is not in motion. If you are stop and go traffic or at a stop light, you can feel the air getting warmer the longer you sit. I did not have the issue in the Prius. The back seats are cramped in the Insight, interior noise is higher, and the ride is on the stiffer side. The Prius feels roomy and it is a very quiet ride. It gives a feeling of being a solid built car.

There is engine belt to replace or power steering fluid to worry about. I like how the full electric mode last until 25 mph.

The self parking option is a feature for those who want the latest bells and whistles, but for most people I doubt it will have much value. The "lane keep assist" seems to work very well. You just have to get use to the car moving the steering wheel from time to time.

I love the rims on the Prius V, it is a mistake not to offer those on all Prius trim levels.

The Solar Vent system runs when the vehicle is parked. It keeps the interior cooler when you are away and will allow you to run the AC for up to three minutes before getting into the vehicle. Very cool feature, but it costs a pretty penny because it is packaged with the navigation/JBL upgraded stereo.

The touch tracer buttons on the steering wheel is one of those simple ideas that I wish every automotive company would use. It is just one of the many touches that makes you feel like Toyota really thought through the vehicle.

I am not sure who thought of putting the heated seats buttons in such an odd place and why do not they not have a USB connection for the an iPod or other devices is beyond me. I want to be able to control my iPod via the vehicle I am driving.

I think it is great that Toyota does offer a simple Prius for those who just want the basic while offering a ton features for those willing to shell out the cash. The Insight does not have leather seats or much tech beyond a navigation system.

I noticed if you don't want to pay for the upgraded stereo system found in a Prius III to get the bluetooth handsfree option, you can get a Prius II and have a stand alone bluetooth option installed by the dealer for a few hundred.

In my opinion, if you are looking at an Insight, go drive a Prius. It maybe a couple of grand more, but it feels like a much better vehicle. If you are going to be stuck with a car for many years, you will enjoy being stuck with a Prius much more than an Insight.

Updated on Jul 15, 2009

1 star for something you have no crash test data on. That seems like overkill. Toyota is a conservative company and not likely to put something into their designthat would make the car less safe then the previous version. I would wait to see what the different major crash testing data shows before passing judgement.