2010 Owner Satisfaction

I'm one of those who have complained in this forum about the braking/bump issue. HOWEVER, I've also stated many times I love my Prius. It's a GREAT car and I really enjoy driving it for many reasons. Still there are things that could be better imo:
1. Braking loss should never be apparent to the user, even at low speeds after hitting speed bumps or pot holes.
2. Interior rattling of plastic dashboard/console/door parts should not happen.
3. USB integration of iPhone device needs a complete overhaul...it's pathetic for such a hightech car to have such a lame, practically unusable audio interface for its users!
4. Dashboard could have been more enjoyable if designed with a more active interface customizeable by users...not a very cutting edge display for such a cutting-edge car...it's so 1990.

 

Bob,

Thanks for posting this poll. I was thinking about doing this but am not familiar with creating polls.

People reading this forum may easily pick up that the Prius is full of quality and safety issues from the nit pickers. IMO, there are many of us in the "silent majority" that are not having any of these problems.

Hopefully this poll will help these readers realize that most of the posts are from the "vocal minority" that do have a problem, large or small to them. Of course, if I were having some or all of the posted problems, I may be in the vocal minority group.

Dwight

 

No rattles or braking problems in 4k miles. Drives great. Very comfortable inside with lots of room for people and cargo. Power is certainly not exhilarating but it's adequate.

Hard to argue with 50+ mpg!

Honestly, the only thing this car needs to reach the "perfect" category is power/memory seats, mirrors, and steering wheel.

I guess I could complain about the rear spoiler in the rear view mirror but you get used to that.

 

I joined the "Great, some things could be better but really great car. " group. I agree with Jim Clark about the power seat option, at a minimum in the IV and V models. My 2 personal nit picks are: #1 by far is the lack of accuracy in the displayed fuel mileage, and #2 is what seems to me is the small fraction of BT cell phones that are compatible with the Nav BT system (I don't have the BT w/out NAV, maybe the same problem). I admittedly didn't buy the car for the BT Nav system, but as for the dash displays, that was a factor in purchasing it over an Insight or Fusion. If the speedo was off by the same % as the fuel consumption gage ... well, you all know where I'm going, so 'nuff said. Picky, picky, picky......

 

I am generally pleased with mine. I don't like the grabby brake thing but luckily it clears itself up one you shift to drive from reverse. The rear view view is pretty bad, I wish that were better. My biggest beef is gas milage. I am getting in the mid 30s if I just drive local and am averaging in the low 40s. It seems going up a short incline can lower mpg by .2 or .3 points and it takes miles to gain it back. Even on all highway driving the best I have done is 46. I am by no means a fast driver either and am fairly conservative.

 

I'm with the majority - could do some things better (like cold weather - Toyota definitely needs to rethink the heating system), but I'm really pleased. It's so much more of a "normal" car than the Gen2, but with much better mileage than any other "normal" car.

Of course, I haven't loaded it up with all my gear yet so it remains to be seen how it does on cargo space, but with the seats down it should be more than adequate.

 

I voted our Prius better than any current alternative.

If I had a choice I would buy a Audi A3 with the new 1.6 TDI (Diesel) that would get a realistic 50 plus mpg all year long.

However the Audi with the 1.6 TDI is not available in the U.S. only the 2.0TDI which is nothing more than a current VW TDI engine.

What I am disappointed most is the gas mileage in the winter. Last tank was only 40 MPG. I live here in rather a temperate climate with normal temps in the mid 30's to 50's during the winter months.

For instance, outside right now, 12/30/09 @ 2:27 PM, the temp is 52.7 degrees F.

In doing my research I was informed that the new and improved 2010 Prius had been designed for rapid warm ups to prevent the loss of MPG's during the winter. Well, maybe they forgot to put that design in our Prius.

alfon

 

I vote "Great."
While not a "perect vehicle" I am well satisfied.
I have experienced none of the squeeks and rattles that some have mentioned; the ride is comfortable (I am 6'2"); I knew exactly how big it was before I bought it; the navagation system frustrated me until I read the manual and learned how to use it; Here in Utah where it has been very cold, the heater has been more than adequate, and I have been satisfied with the snow performance. My mileage has decreased, but I think it is certainly reasonable considering the cold.

I regret that the ground clearance is not greater (I know it is a matter of aerodynamics). I accidentally ran over a piece of metal on the freeway, and it slightly damaged the right front (under) skirt.

After all is said and done, I find my G3, IV, exactly what I had expected and hoped it would be.

 

Thanks for the pole and for the cautionary statement about putting these comments into their proper context. I have had my 2010 Package II for a month now and just came back from my first 1000 mile road trip.

First and foremost, we love the car. We traded our 2004 for this one and have not regretted it in the least. We are 99% satisfied and would highly recommend this car.

The Bad:

- The center console and doors do rattle (seemingly more when it's cold)
- The center console cup holders are terrible. When we place two 32 oz cups in the cup holders, I loose my right arm rest. Also, when I pull my cup out of the console holder, the plastic holder comes up with the cup. Bad design there.
- The slide console should slide all the way back instead of sliding part way then opening the rest
- the AUX jack should be USB instead of just an audio jack
- We like the body style better on the 2nd Gen then the 3rd Gen

The Good:

- Better gas millage than our 2004 Prius
- More power than our 2004. Power mode is really nice (Don't use it climbing mountains, though, unless you want to smell something burning)
- The seats (leather upgrade) are more comfortable than our 2004
- The different control modes
- The display location

 

Apart from FM reception issues, the car is what I had hoped for. After a few years and servicing I will also be able to judge quality. For now I cannot say anything about it.

No rattlings whatsoever so far from dashboard and doors.

A few things are a bit old-fashioned (e.g. light bulbs instead of LEDs for interior lights, license plate lights, boot/trunk light (very 1970s actually)) and I find pretty weird the fact that there is not even a single LED to light the center console pocket. If it is dark you have *no clue* of what you have thrown in there - turning the reading light does not help since it is *exactly* above the center console pocket.... I will need to install some LED light myself underneath the console to see easily what is in the pocket. Footwell LED lights though, strange...

Considering the EU version has HUD (Heads Up Display) as standard option, the above things are a bit incongruent with the "spaceship" design of the engine and the dashboard. A bit of more customisability of the UI, more accuracy in the fuel consumption calculation would have made the car, together with other minor things, including better rear view visibility, perfect for my expectations.

So far it gets a 8/10 with possibly a 9/10 if quality holds to the Toyota name (and the radio issue is fixed).

Considering that Japanese manufacturers are often very conservative in their approach ("if it works don't change it") and that they needed to keep costs down as much as possible in a car where most likely they are still making no or little money on (the power train of the Prius is likely *very* expensive), all in all it is a fine object.

Many friends and relatives/parents seating in it have had only praises for the car's engine, fuel consumption, the dashboard layout and the overall pleasing design and more aggressive body shape compared to the Gen2 version. Some even mentioned it has a "sporty" setup. Great praise also for the "alcantara-like" cloth for the seats of the EU version - I have no clue what it is available in the US version.

 

I voted Great.. as well. I had a 2006 and overall I like this one much more because of the new gadgets (solar roof, etc.), styling, and a more solid feel. I've had to drive in the snow recently and it does pretty well -- with the 2006 I felt insecure even when the pavement was wet, let alone covered in ice and snow.

I am a little disappointed with the gas mileage because I was expecting much better, having read all the reports. It's not doing any worse than the Gen II, but it's not noticeably better, especially where I am, where it's stop-and-go traffic and hilly. I also don't like the decrease in interior storage compartments. The glove boxes, center console, and door pockets are all smaller and with the solar roof I've lost the sunglasses holder. Recently I've discovered there's more storage underneath the hatch floor though.

 

Great, some things could be better(like having a plug!) but really great car.

 

Are you talking about me? Hey I just had "Doubts".- Just kidding.

Obviously, I'm not casting a vote as I'm not an owner. But I would say the only problem with this poll is that I think most people that make the commitment to purchasing an automobile, especially a new automobile, are going to be happy early on.

Unless you get a Demonic Lemon....like you drive 4 blocks and something happens..you are probably going to be happy, otherwise you wouldn't of purchased.

The 2010 is at the stage that as a model it's only going to have new owners. So it's "young" enough to have problems, but not mature enough for a lot of established feedback.

I've been seeking information, but good/bad/ or indifferent the truth is we aren't going to know how a lot of things about how this 2010 Prius shakes out for a couple of years. 90% redesigned and lighter hybrid powertrain, electric accessories, beltless engine, even the Brake issue will either manifest as a problem Toyota addresses or not, but for real feedback on a lot of these things it's going to take time. This Prius looks familiar to the 2nd Generation but under the skin for good or bad there are quite a lot of differences.

But if you come into Prius Chat and ask new purchasers...nobody has owned a 2010 very long..."Hey do you like your Prius?" I'd simply assume the response is going to be very much in the affirmative.

I've learned a lot hanging around Prius Chat and one of the fundamenal truths is that Prius Chatters love their Prius. Sometimes defensively.

 

That is true. You also have to keep in mind that PriusChat has for years been a target for people who don't like the Prius due to politics or to personal incentive to see it fail (IE:Malorn the GM dealer and Jimmie the truck driver who was sent here as part of the "savemytruck" PAC). Hell, there is a whole INDUSTRY that despises the Prius as it reduces the amount of their product they can sell. Their are entire countries that don't want to see the US reduce the purchases of their main export.

People here are rightly defensive, we are constantly running into anti-Prius trolls who seek only to bicker and badmouth the very thing most of us here have in common...(the desire to send less of our money to countries that hate us).


You want a true measure of satisfaction? Ask every driver of the pre Gen III Pruis you run into how satisfied they are. Personally, I've NEVER found anyone who was unhappy with it.

 

Interestingly..or not...when I first started to investigate Prius, the Generation 2, my biggest concern was the gas bladder. Especially because I live in Oregon and can't legally pump my own gas. So the issues of difficulty filling worried me. So early on, every chance I got I was asking Prius Owners in parking lots how they felt about their Prius and whether filling the gas bladder was an issue.

The feedback about The Prius was overwhelmingly positive. A lot didn't even realize they had a gas bladder not a tank. Yes, the sample size was small, but I didn't talk to anyone that admitted to having any problem filling the tank. Often when I tried to explain about the Gas "Bladder" that's when I got a worried look from the owner and had to cut the conversation short. From a casual standpoint there's a big difference between asking someone if they like their car, and then following up with "Have you had any problem filling your Gas Bladder?"...if they haven't even heard of it, or don't know they have one...they instantly think your a mad man. It was fun.

So I guess my point is a lot of people evidently own Prius and haven't been to Prius Chat.

 

Oh what a tangled web. Agreed, people are likelier to be happy with the car early on. However, your "Doubts" thread is built on input from new owners who have concerns or issues with their car. Folks here aren't shy about expressing their opinion! It's no surprise that there is a greater response to negative postings. It's easy to lose sight of the positive. Without any balance, one could end up with the impression that most new owners aren't happy when typically most new owners are happy!

It reminds me of an economics professor in college - he'd start his lecture on one side of the room, walk to the other side and say "did you hear that guy over there on the right?" Then he'd completely take apart the opening part of his lecture and give you an entirely different perspective. He really made you look for and think about all sides of the issue and where each was coming from.

 

Yes, hence why I told you to ask people you run into instead of complaining that people here are biased and defensive about their beloved Prius. Of course we are! It's a friggen Prius forum!

BTW, are you still concerned about the gas bladder? That was yet another non-issue people overreacted too. I'll have to add that to my other post about disinformation.

 

Darwood, you seem to be misunderstanding me. I was just offering an ancedote about how I have/did ask owners about their Prius. It was meant to be humorous. I'm not complaining that people are biased and defensive about their Prius.

And No, I'm not still concerned about the gas bladder, I'd of thought my ancedote would of made that clear. Did you miss the big part where I say EVERYONE I spoke to, said they didn't have a problem?

I'm NOT trying to spread disinformation, it is a reality that a percentage of people have problems from time to time with the Gas Bladder. I'm talking about the past and denoting a process of discovery I have gone through.

Plus it wasn't that long ago. The Generation 3 hasn't really been out that long. Less than a year ago, the only choice you really had "new" was either the Generation 2 or waiting for the Generation 3.

Maybe I'm getting defensive, but I'm not "complaining" that Prius Owners in Prius Chat might be biased or defensive. Infact I think that type of loyalty denotes a positive product. My point is only that since this IS Prius Chat, and we are dealing with avid supporters of the Brand and Vehicle that a poll within Prius Chat asking NEW owners who by definition haven't had the vehicle that long, whether they like the vehicle, might not be that useful.

I don't care what vehicle you are evaluating, it takes time for the honeymoon period to end and also time for real problems (and there ALWAYS, with ALL vehicles, will be problems) to arise.