2010 vs 2009 early comparisons

If you have no Prius, either would be an excellent buy:

• 09 - end of model has all factory improvements and well established history.
• 10 - first year, may have infantile problems that are typically resolved in the first two years.

If you have a Prius, the new model is an incremental improvement. For those who have to do a lot of high-speed driving in mountainous and cold areas, it would be a significant improvement. The high-power and vehicle heat aspects have been significantly improved. But in our case, we have an 03 Prius and last week, sold our older, 01 Echo to help buy the 2010 Prius:

• 32 MPG becomes +50 MPG - a significant improvement.
• 2001 Echo parts - approaching 10 year inventory limit, the Echo will become harder to maintain.
• Creature comforts - optional or not available in the 2001, the 2010 has everything standard.
• More space and more usable - upgrading from a compact car with trunk to a larger family sedan hatchback.

If you don't have a Prius, a new 09 or low mileage NHW20 is a brilliant decision. Remember that many used NHW20s can have significant warranty remaining. But if you want a hybrid to hack on, go with the NHW11, the last year, 2003 ... and no, mine is not for sale. <grins>

Bob Wilson

 

1 - MPG improve, but with much better horsepower
2 - A matter of taste, but I and my wife think 2010 is an improvement, though all those buttons can seem intimidating the first time you sit in it.
3 - huge improvement in handling. Also a little quieter and better riding.
4 - huge improvement in seats and drive position adjustability. Nav also much improved.

 

Have been reading these threads for quite some time, but this post motivated me to actually get an account and post, as I am also trying to decide between the 2010 vs 2009.

My background: I have never owned a prius, although my wife and I are very motivated to buy one new or used within the next six months. I have test driven a 2008 and a 2009 (both package 6) and also have rented a 2008 (package 2) for a trip from San Francisco to Eureka and back. I have also test driven a 2010 (package III, no NAV, no SOLAR) here in South Bend--was the first to test dive it, 40 min after it hit the lot.

Some of my initial thoughts after test driving the 2010:

Pros:
The "eco" button was very nice. For my wife who doesn't have the best hypermiling technique, I think this would help a lot. (didn't get to use the EV button... battery was too low)
The overall power was noticeably better. When on an open road, punching the gas pedal felt nice, or at least more like what I would expect in a non hybrid car... whereas the 2009 doing the same thing always makes me feel like 1) I am not accelerating fast enough, and 2) the engine is so loud that I must be putting strain on the car.
The "hybrid system indicator" display seemed useful. If I am buying a hybrid, I want to know its performance while I am driving, and this seems to be a very intuitive way to display such information.
The back seat seemed to be very roomy.

Cons:
The touch tracer display was tough to get the hang of. In the Toyota videos, it made it seem like you would just have to apply slight pressure to the touch tracer to make the screen (in your line of sight) show which button you were "hovering" over. Then if you wanted, you could depress the button to do whatever... however, I found that the screen only lit up with what button I was "hovering" over if I applied enough pressure to depress the button. For me it made the fact that the touch tracer display is even there seem pointless because I have to overt my eyes to the wheel to see which button I am pushing anyway.
The cup holders in both the front and back were inferior to the 2009. I liked how there were 2 easily accessible cup holders in the front in the 2009 (now, in the 2010 to access the 2nd you have to slide back the center console) and I liked how in the 2009 the rear had cupholders that folded down from back of the front seat center console... and now they are located in the rear fold down center arm rest. Just my preference.
The packaging... I like the backup camera and I like the look of having a big screen in the center of the console. In the 2010 you have to buy Navigation before you get that look (or even a backup camera).

Specific Info I would like:
For those that have taken 2+ hour trips in both a 2009 and a 2010, have you noticed a difference in the comfort of the drivers seat? A short test drive in the 2010 didn't let me make this comparison.
Have other people had the same problem with the touch tracer sensitivity I mentioned above?

Any info would be greatly appreciated!

 

Regarding handling and gas mileage, try to compare apples to apples.

E.g., if you're interested in the Prius with the standard 15" wheels, I don't think that a review of the 2010 Prius with the optional 17" wheels would be optimal.

 

From a first time buyer (not yet) the changes seem to be a fix it all this year:

1: Gas Blader problem.
2: Poor driver seat position. I'm 6,1 and had trouble getting in the older version. Friend (who is just as tall) had his seat reails extended.

3: eliminated all engine belts.
4: eliminated chain in transaxil.
5: increased HP
6: improved seating

and the list goes on... Very impressed...

 

My apologies. I addressed my requirements, not yours:

I had occasion to look over the 2010 Prius in Detroit:

MPG - although the EPA rating shows only a +2-3 MPG, the basic vehicle should be good for +5-10 MPG without difficulty.

displays and controls - steering wheel controls avoid having to look down in the cabin to find the knobs.

handling, comfort, noise - stiffer frame, more space and better seats, and underbody covers to block road noise.

other noticeable differences - faster warm-up in the cold, better mileage in hills and mountains, significantly improved safety features are standard and optional ones set the new standard.
​

Our new 2010 should be in our hands by June 3d at the latest.

Bob Wilson

 

1) unmistakable improvement in gas mileage. VERY early reports appear that i will be averaging 59-60 mpg with just conservative (no hyper techniques, etc...kinda hard to "dead band" because of changes to the way it drives) on current tank; driving under less than optimal conditions, i am sitting at 59.1 on around 300 miles. first tank info probably a bit skewed because of mileage on it, also other people driving it, inconsistent fill, etc.

2) reduction in road noise well, thats IF the sunroof is closed.

3) much cooler with solar panels even with very moderate temps in the mid 70's here, the difference in interior temperatures with and without ARE HUGE. yesterday, we were gone all day in the 2010. got home at 6 PM temps 70º nearly perfect sunny day. SPM parked on street, filtered sun. it has a slow leak, so EV'd to the garage to top off air pressure and the interior was HOT. the 2010 only gets warm

4)back seats 2nd hand info here. but have reports that back seats are more comfortable and roomier. the "bench" part seems to be wider making leg support more comfortable. now i have very little experience in back seat of either car so i dont know.

5) Stability this is toughest call of all. however, the 2010 seems to have a firmer more confident ride. did the 101 loop yesterday which involves some pretty hellacious turns especially while skirting some of the glacial lakes that line the route. speed limit on the 2 lane road goes from 55 to 45 with some posted 25 mph turns. took a few of those turns at 45, although not recommended, the car felt tight.

some pics from trip... first one is one of many Bald Eagles that inhabit the waters along the Hood Canal. the other two are ones of Crescent Lake. this lake was made by a glacier and fills a valley between two mountains. its about 600 feet deep in places. here the road is VERY narrow and pretty slow going. other than turn outs, there is no shoulder and signs cautioning against rocks on the road from the mountain that sits less than 2 feet from the side of the road abound

 

1. I also found the touch tracer a little awkward at first, but I think it will be useful after I have more time to play with it and get more familiar with the buttons and functions. The touch tracer did a good job of showing me what and where I was touching, I just wasn't sure enough of what I was doing yet to make efficient use of the info it was giving me, especially when I am still getting used to the car and making sure I don't crash it!

2. The improvement in the seats is huge. My wife likes them better than her Camry, because there is a bit more bucket and form fitting seat design to these seats, though maybe a tad less cushiony. Heads and tails above the Gen II car. They fit both of us perfectly. I'd be interested to hear what people with wider girths think. I had a nice nap in the passenger side seat yesterday!

 

To the original poster ... are you very tall? Long legs? If so, don't even think about a 2009. Yeah, I'm almost 6'3" and got 35" inseam, definitely longer legs than most in society. Hooked on going green last year...

I really don't like the legroom in the 2009. I recline the seatback a bit for headroom and to try getting lower in the car. It's just funky ergonomics for me, but trying to fix it at home ...

http://priuschat.com/forums/prius-modifications/62153-drivers-seat-remount-home-2-5-8-back.html

Although many love their 2009, it is well known to have compromises in seating, chassis stiffness (non-touring model), bladder in fuel tank, pushed around in side winds,

2010 said to have much better front seats, legroom, stiffer chassis, no bladder in fuel tank, holds up to crosswinds better.

I say that's a pretty big increment in improvement. Not to mention updated, bolder styling on the new one.

2 dealers in SF Bay Area said 2010 won't be in 'til end of May. I'm just looking. Word is can't tow with 2010 Prius either, so wouldn't buy one.

 

That is true of the Gen II Prius as well. No towing in the Prius (Period) .

 

I'm glad to offer my opinions, but you are asking me to compare a car I loved to death for the very short two years I drove it to a car I've had only 21 hours (who's counting, anyway?).

1. MPGs? As Boo noted earlier, it is difficult for me to compare the two, because my non-touring '07 #6 had 15" wheels with 185/65 tires, while my 2010 V has 215/45s on beautiful 17" wheels. Truthfully, my expectation is that I will have about the same MPGs on my 2010 as on my '07. I think this is mainly because the 2010 is just too nice to drive. While I loved (LOVED!) driving the '07, it just isn't the same kind of road car as this 2010. And the Power button is just screaming at me all the time: "Push Me! Push Me!" If you get a 2010 Prius II and compare it to an '09 Prius Pkg #2, you will get significantly better mileage in the 2010 -- I would venture to say a 10% improvement.
2. Function/Convenience of Displays and Controls. I like the Touch Tracer, though it appears not all folks do. I agree it takes a bit more pressure than anticipated, but I have fairly quickly become accustomed to it. I like the placement of the MID higher on the dash, though I miss the more colorful screen on my '07. I like the addition of the 1-minute consumption screen and the screen showing the Charge-Eco-Power continuum (I've been having that as my main screen now). I really like the lower position of the Nav screen, because it takes it out of the glare-area. I also like the fact the climate controls are closer to the reach. There are almost too many buttons, but I think I'll manage. I don't much care for the look of the center console "cockpit", but it does make some things more reachable. I like the new armrest, because it seems higher, but the combo of the console and armrest has produced a less usable cupholder world, and I would put the gear knob back up on the dash in exchange for another cupholder. More? I like the telescoping steering column (even if is doesn't move that much). I like the wider hatch/cargo area. I think the exterior look is much improved, and I like having less open (radiator flow) area up front.
3. Handling, Comfort, Noise. Now you've hit on the real difference! Tough comparison because of the different suspension, wheel size and tires, but I'll go for it, anyway. It is amazing. This car corners SO well in comparison with my '07. Example: When turning onto a four-lane street (right turn or left) driving at 25+ mph, I had to be careful to guide the '07 into the second lane. In the 2010, on the other hand, it feels like I'm executing a 90 degree turn instantly. It really holds to the road. I haven't tried anything at higher speeds yet, so I don't know what it will roll like and whether the back end will be stable, but I can't wait to try!! (Remember, I'm comparing an '07 non-touring model to the 2010 Prius V.) I really like the new seats -- these are the best change overall. Much more comfortable, and I think even the leather feels better! I like the lumbar support and the vertical control on the seat. This noise level seems lower. I haven't had it to highway speeds for any stretch yet, so I don't know about air/wind noises, but the other road noises are much less noticeable than in my '07.
4. Anything Else (likes/dislikes). I don't much care for the neon-look paint behind the bigger logo. I'm very glad to have heated seats, but the control buttons are close to the floor and can't (safely) be reached while driving. Having two handles for closing the hatch is a nice convenience. The darker floor mats (as oppposed to color-coded) have a bit of a different look, but they will not show the dirt and grime as much as my bisque-colored ones did in the '07. I have only just recently tried out the new Nav system. It is farily similar to the one I had in the '07, but one significant difference is that the directions now include many street names -- not just Interstate or State Highways, but also main thoroughfares and streets. Very nice. I may be wrong, but I think there is a different tint to the windows, and I like it better in the 2010. Oh, almost forgot: When I sync'd my iPhone to the car yesterday, it asked if I wanted to sync the contacts. I hadn't been able to do this on my '07. It just gobbled up my contacts -- better than 1,000 of them!
5. Extra: I have the Advanced Technology Package, and I haven't yet tested out most of the options. Still, the Lane Keep Assist has been as advertised, and I think it will be a great safety feature for those late-night drives home across the Midwest.

I'm going to have to stop to breathe.

Looking at what I've just written, I guess it is safe to say I like the changes found in the 2010.

If you have some specific questions, please fire away.

 

I'm glad to hear the seats are much improved, because they are the only thing I dislike about my 2005. If they are as comfortable as a Camry, that will be fine. I also look forward to having more power and better handling. I will use the power mode all the time.

 

well, our trip was 360 miles, started at 8 am and ended at 7 PM. we did stop twice for food, several times for pictures, but still did a LOT of driving and seats were fine.

oh i guess i failed the MOST IMPORTANT improvement and that is...

we NO LONGER have to turn the car on just to see what time it is!! failure to have addressed this issue would most definitely, unquestionably been deal breaker for me

 

Thanks, Dave

I was in your area last summer when we drove from Seattle to Port Angeles, heading to Victoria. Very nice. I lived in Victoria for 7 years. Just watch out for deer.

 

wow you like that?? i hate it!!!

on the SPM first thing in the morning with the 5 min bars, you get one bad segment, a medium segment then the good ones right??

with the one minute segments, now i get THREE bad segments, an ok one, then finally the good ones!!

i will say, the better handling has been a very pleasant surprise

 

what are the possible ways to open(unlock) the hatch on 2010 prius 2?

 

same as before there is a button back there, but then again, if no SKS, i would guess you would have to use FOB?... dk for sure

 

Can you tell me more about this? All I know is, the JBL audio system, without Nav, has blutooth capability. Does the Nav system add something more (besides iPod connectivity, available later this fall)?

 

I'm not certain what more there is to tell, but I'll try to answer any question you have.

There is another connectivity for bluetooth audio streaming, perhaps that's what you're asking about. It is available now, but I think it is not available with all of the sound systems. The iPhone software doesn't yet support audio streaming. I hear this will be fixed in the upcoming version 3 software (due to be released June 1? I hope?).

Some of the systems have an accessory available now for iPod direct connection to the system. It is a pricey accessory, but it isn't yet available for the JBL systems either with Nav or XM (or both). There is some interference or other limitation once explained to me and now forgotten. I believe Toyota hopes to have that cured by this fall/winter.