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2010 Toyota Prius Review

April 26, 2009

STYLING | 6 out of 10

Expert Quotes:

Same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it...looks sharper
Autoblog

Glows with modernity at each corner
Los Angeles Times

Cabin ergonomics...are top-notch
Automobile Magazine

Although it has been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, the Toyota Prius is still distinctly Prius-shaped. Whether or not that's a good thing is a matter of personal taste, but as the automotive experts at TheCarConnection.com say, the 2010 Toyota Prius is still "more future-appliance than future-chic."

Although the Honda Insight was the first hybrid sold in the U.S., Toyota’s Prius soon followed back in 2000, and its sales especially took off after its 2003 redesign, which brought with it the current, more aerodynamic exterior and hatchback design. The exterior will be familiar to anyone who has seen the second-generation Prius, but AutoWeek reviewers note it is "almost all-new in almost every department." Autoblog calls the 2010 Prius "the same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it...looks sharper" than before. That's largely due to the stronger character lines found on the latest version of the Toyota Prius, which Car and Driver says features "a distinctive design and contrarian appeal." Car and Driver describes some of the more noteworthy styling changes by pointing out that "the fat-foreheaded look of the prior model is reduced somewhat, and the rear end is higher and beefier, with a nifty integrated rear spoiler." The overall effect of the styling changes, aside from making the car look just a bit more aggressive, is an industry-lowest drag coefficient of 0.25, which helps the Toyota Prius achieve over 50 mpg.

Moving inside the 2010 Prius, reviewers unanimously approve of the new styling direction for the interior. Autoblog recognizes all of "those little things that provide the 'Prius experience'...but they're slightly different and noticeably improved." "Improved" is a term used frequently when describing the interior, and Autoblog comments that the 2010 Toyota Prius' "volume and climate controls are redundant with a nifty new feature on the steering wheel called the Touch Tracer Display." Automobile Magazine adds to the praise by declaring that the Prius' "cabin ergonomics and the displays...are top-notch." In fact, the only real complaint about the interior comes from Jalopnik reviewers, who feel that the "heated seat switches...have bizarrely been located down by the driver's feet," an inconvenient location that makes them very difficult—and dangerous—to operate while driving.

Conclusion

The 2010 Toyota Prius, though slightly edgier and more attractive, still looks like a Prius.

STYLING | 6 out of 10Expert Quotes:Same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it...looks sharperAutoblogGlows with modernity at each cornerLos Angeles TimesCabin ergonomics...are top-notchAutomobile Magazine Although it has been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, the Toyota Prius is still distinctly Prius-shaped. Whether or not that's a good thing is a matter of personal taste, but as the automotive experts at TheCarConnection.com say, the 2010 Toyota Prius is still "more future-appliance than future-chic." Although the Honda Insight was the first hybrid sold in the U.S., Toyota’s Prius soon followed back in 2000, and its sales especially took off after its 2003 redesign, which brought with it the current, more aerodynamic exterior and hatchback design. The exterior will be familiar to anyone who has seen the second-generation Prius, but AutoWeek reviewers note it is "almost all-new in almost every department." Autoblog calls the 2010 Prius "the same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it...looks sharper" than before. That's largely due to the stronger character lines found on the latest version of the Toyota Prius, which Car and Driver says features "a distinctive design and contrarian appeal." Car and Driver describes some of the more noteworthy styling changes by pointing out that "the fat-foreheaded look of the prior model is reduced somewhat, and the rear end is higher and beefier, with a nifty integrated rear spoiler." The overall effect of the styling changes, aside from making the car look just a bit more aggressive, is an industry-lowest drag coefficient of 0.25, which helps the Toyota Prius achieve over 50 mpg. Moving inside the 2010 Prius, reviewers unanimously approve of the new styling direction for the interior. Autoblog recognizes all of "those little things that provide the 'Prius experience'...but they're slightly different and noticeably improved." "Improved" is a term used frequently when describing the interior, and Autoblog comments that the 2010 Toyota Prius' "volume and climate controls are redundant with a nifty new feature on the steering wheel called the Touch Tracer Display." Automobile Magazine adds to the praise by declaring that the Prius' "cabin ergonomics and the displays...are top-notch." In fact, the only real complaint about the interior comes from Jalopnik reviewers, who feel that the "heated seat switches...have bizarrely been located down by the driver's feet," an inconvenient location that makes them very difficult—and dangerous—to operate while driving. ConclusionThe 2010 Toyota Prius, though slightly edgier and more attractive, still looks like a Prius. 2010 TOYOTA PRIUS STYLING | [6 out of 10] Autoblog: "Same oddly shaped hybrid that almost two million buyers love, but it...looks sharper" Los Angeles Times: "Glows with modernity at each corner" Automobile Magazine: "Cabin ergonomics...are top-notch" Although it has been completely ...

Read More of this Review:

  1. styling
  2. performance
  3. quality
  4. safety
  5. features

Other Choices:

Toyota's hybrid hatchback, the Prius, has inspired a whole raft of gas-electric vehicles—including the Nissan Altima hybrid sedan, which actually uses Toyota's hybrid system with a Nissan-sourced gas engine. The Altima's snappier looks and handling cancel out its less impressive fuel economy (by Prius standards). More noteworthy is the Fusion Hybrid, which gets 41 mpg in city driving and benefits from an overall revamp that brings a nicer cabin and more trim styling. Left-brain thinkers will opt for the VW Jetta TDI diesel, which costs more than gas-engined Jettas but delivers fuel economy in the 40-mpg range and a reputation for durability—as well as great handling and a suave interior. From a distance, the most obvious rival to the Prius is the 2010 Honda Insight; at first glance the two look identical in side profile. But when you size the two up more closely, you'll find the Prius is considerably larger inside, with more usable backseat space for adults. The Prius also has the advantage in fuel economy; the Insight is rated at just 40 mpg city, 43 highway, compared to 51/48 mpg for the Prius, but most Insight buyers will likely see better. With a starting price a smidge under $20,000, the Insight is a better choice for those who want to keep it simple and be frugal, while the new Prius and all its high-tech options are a better bet for gee-whiz hybrid fans wanting something to show off. Finally, there's another new rival coming this year, from Toyota's own Lexus division. The HS 250h is a small luxury sedan based on the new Prius but incorporating a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and a variation of the Prius' hybrid system. Expect fuel economy well into the 40s.

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See the Toyota Prius in Other Years:

2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001 | 2000

Comments (3 total)

  1. By  Honda Cars #1, Posted: 6/4/2009

    The Honda will be better priced, but the Toyota will have better economy. What about a used Honda Hybrid? http://honda-certified.com

  2. By  Carz #2, Posted: 7/14/2009

    Used Honda hybrids are good. I just don't think they're great stuff to use for long rides, though.

  3. By Kort #3, Posted: 10/19/2009

    Article doesn't match reality. I drive a 2010 Prius for work. I do mostly city driving and it NEVER averages more than 26 mgp in the city. I use the freeway for about 5 minuts/day and do some idling and work inside with the air con on. It however, only runs the engine for 1.5 min every 10 minutes of air con time in the parking lot. Nonetheless, average mileage is about 25. Where are these big numbers? I don't see it. Is my use of air con in the parking lot eating that much gas? The air con is electric...

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