So, HOW did we do?

I'm on the fence about giving up my trouble-free '05 for a newer version with all the toys, for a few simple reason:

1. I can't get around the styling of the center console. It's just too intrusive, and I don't need a more ergonomic shifter placement. The old placement was great, and it took up pretty much zero space.

2. Radar-assisted cruise control would probably drive my V1 radar detector bonkers. Can anyone confirm or deny?

3. Minimal improvement in fuel economy vs. the previous model.

Once I've had a chance to check one out I'll be sure to update, but there's no way I'm getting one based solely on what I've seen so far.

 

Thank you for building a new Prius with 'more power and more space' and bold, fresh styling to appeal to many, many driver's who never would have thought about buying a Prius otherwise.

So many Americans are obsessed with looks - in the media, entertainment, etc... we are bombarded with examples of good-looking people and things. People want to have good looking things.

And the new Prius has great looks ... in spades. The sleek front end, the sharper lines of the wider rear end (for a car, that's a good thing).

Lots of young punks still like to pooh-pooh the Gen2 Prius. Their tone will change and they might be drooling a bit when a Gen 3 V with those hot 17's comes rolling by.

I, and I think we, want the masses to 'go hybrid'. The Gen3 will bring many on board because -

* the entry price is reasonable - $22,950 and get a well equipped II with CF
* the looks are great, nicely updated
* the Gen3 gets much better fuel economy than most average drivers hope for
* Sporty, functional interior. I like the center console and swoopy lines of the dash

-----------------------------------------
Some folks are desiring a 60, 70 MPG car. But Honda has already shown what happens when marketing such a car - it will likely be very small or a 2 seater resulting in mediocre sales.

Toyota has done it right to build the Gen3 platform that will **hopefully** serve well for the PHEV Prius. Then folks will get their 100 MPG car. It might be very expensive, but I think many will pay for it.

 

Mr. Coleman,

Please remember to strongly consider ..

adding 16" alloy wheels with roughly 205 width tires into the III and IV trims as an option to appeal to those who cannot 'spring' for the V.

The Gen3 has the great body, and the 16" wheels with the right tires would complement the car and fill in the gap between the 15" and 17" wheels. The Gen2 Touring sure looked great with its 16 inchers.

Regards,

 

This car is definitely a success story. Having said that...

My 1998 Corolla has daytime running lights and auto-on/off headlights. I just think that a 2010 Toyota model worth $22k should have at least every basic feature found in a 1998 Corolla that was purchased for $15k and is now worth about $2k. Am I being unreasonable here?

On a separate topic, I know this probably won't be answered, but do you have any information that you'd be willing to share on the Matrix hybrid? 2012? 2020? Special thanks to the Prius Team and Danny for everything they've done and continue to do.

 

It's a world of improvement. My only complaint is that there are NO package IIs near me without unwanted options.

 

All trims have auto-off headlights at least, the important thing to save aux battery. Looks like no daytime running lights. Wonder why.

 

Hi Doug,

Due to my physical dimensions Center Consoles are a total NOT GOING TO BUY THIS CAR thing for me, ever since my Saturn SL2. I am not fat around the hips, am not tall, but I have worn size 42 pants since I was a more than average athletically active 21, and I need a wide seat. I am sitting in a 1977 Volkswagen Scirocco seat (as I type this) that I modified into a desk chair. This seat does not have an adjustable lumbar support, but its perfect for me. Very much unlike the Prius seat. Toyota can learn allot from VW regarding driver ergonomics. The additional overall 1/2 inch wider car goes backward when you have that 8 inch wide console right where my knee needs to be. Dumb. I do like the upright seating of the Prius - but again, that requires a wider space for people to put their legs, and that damn console just is dumb in this context.

The ergonomics of the instrumentation have gone backwards, from an already poor use of the otherwise good hardware in the second generation Prius. The lack of color in all the instruments needed for economy driving makes them difficult (dangerous?) to use. The 2nd gen car had color, but it used it in the wrong way , to display function, rather than magnitude. After a month, a Prius driver knows the function, its magnitude that is the ongoing need for the driver. Elimination of the MFD and going to that smaller mono-chrome display is a giant step backwards.

One poster in your thread you linked to said "Tachometer". That is one of the first things economy drivers add onto there cars. If so many people are doing this, why is Toyota so reticent to not put in such a basic instrument? Even from a marketing point of view - a new owner can point "Look we are driving around and the engine is at 0 RPM!". Which it appears was the primary purpose of the original MFD, unfortunately. Rather than as a tool to manage the car.

Think if there was a drive-train MFD below the speedometer (WHY DID TOYOTA MOVE THE SPEDOMETER FROM ITS FORMERLY PERFECT POSITION!?). These modern LCD's have tremedous color quantisation which can be put to great usage in a display one does not have to look directly at, yet get information from. The Gen II MFD did not use any of that functionality. Only single colors for specific functions. Not color variation to indicate parameter magnitude. Even Ford's new display is not good in this regard, using vertical meter displays - where one has to look at to see the needle icon. The WHOLE meter should just change color. This is the new paradigm in dash-board panel displays that will be safe and effective. Think if you had a Tachometer block which changed color with RPM, and went black when the engine turned off. Even out of the corner of the eye, one could use that.

The outside styling has never been an issue for me, but apparently it is for many buyers. You have done a good job satisfying those people , yet maintaining aerodyamics functionality - Toyota is to be greatly congradulated for this!

 

Doug,

I like the center console and have not found it to interfere with my legs at all, and that's saying a lot since I'm almost 6ft3in tall with loooong legs (35" inseam!). I just put the seat all the way back, legs go forward, not to the side into the console.

I am glad the multi-function display of the 2nd Gen Prius is gone - It is tough to reach, and cycling through a couple pages of screen is cumbersome.

The climate controls of the all-new Prius are well-placed and easily accessible.

 

I put a deposit down on a 2010 Prius but I'm not sure I'll close the deal. I just went to sit in one at the dealership and I'm very disappointed in the strange/poor ergonomics in the new model:

* I'm 5'11", and once I get the seat and steering wheel adjusted, it's a stretch to reach the window switches, adjust the mirrors, or access about half the radio controls.
* Why would you put one of the cupholders INSIDE the center console storage bin? Why do I want to risk having liquids spill on the contents of the storage bin?
* The try/cubby under the center console seems like a real ergonomic mistake. It's difficult to reach the charger outlet or the seat heater switches from the driver's seat.
* There is still insufficient headroom in the back seat. If I try to sit upright in the back seat my head presses into the headliner.

 

Everything seems great to me. I didn't even think the solar package was worth buying without charging something, and I garage park mine anyway. The one thing I dislike is that the Nav is still so yesterday. It's sad, but unless it is extremely accurate, I am most likely going to stick my awesome garmin on the windshield for trips. (Sad thing to do on a car with a multi-thousand dollar gps system installed.) It just works better though. I do think that this is actually quite a small problem on a car that has in one step made a HUGE leap forward. I like most everything about it. The design gripes I have are a matter of opinion and taste I suppose. For example, I would have just put a small row of buttons in instead of the shifter knob.

 

I think you and Toyota did a super job with the 2010.

My only beefs with the 2010 are the options packaging, specifically:

1. The backup camera -- which I consider to be very useful and a great safety feature -- is now packaged with Navigation on the Prius III and higher trim lines. This means that the lowest price 2010 Prius with the backup camera costs around $1400 more than the lowest price Gen II Prius with backup camera.

2. The sunroof, which if it were a stand alone option, would typically cost only around $900. But with the 2010 options packaging, if I wanted a sunroof I'd have to spend $4600 more than the Prius II price (i.e., get a Prius III with the Solar Roof package).

 

Got our Blizzard Pearl IV (non-Nav) yesterday.
Love the car.
My main suggestion is about iPod integration.
Why is that not standard? It was available on my 2006 Scion xB!
Really like the bluetooth phone ability. Is there any way to adjust (down) the volume of the 'ringer' when an incoming call comes, and/or are there other ring 'tones' available? That would be cool!

 

There is a volume control for both incoming ring and outgoing as well. A tad deeper in the cel phone control screens - look for it. I haven't got a NAV car here to do it on and then tell you how... but if you go i nto the phone screen, there's an adjustment there.

Dianne

 

Commentary.

I have a 2007 Prius. While it's nice to have a full screen back up camera, I have to be honest - it's not a full sized Tundra or a large rear ended SUV. Or, a car with a long trunk. I feel a small back up cam in the rear view mirror would do fine. I learned to drive using my mirrors and having to look over my shoulder(s) to be safe. The fact that the car is so quiet does add to the fear that someone won't hear you (cat, dog, etc) but a small cam in the mirror would suffice. It's optional on a few other models like Rav4 and Tacoma. Tundra also. I hope it's an item they are looking into for the Prius II and III with no Nav screens.

The sunroof. I have a feeling it may be a wiring or electronics issue for the sunroof and solar cooling to pair with the NAV system, but if it's not, it really would be a very nice thing to have a plain power sunroof like a Scion tC has. Just maybe a $1000-1300 option to add to the Prius II or III with no added extras.

Just my 2cents worth, Prius team? So far, thanks for a great car to sell!

Dianne

 

Well, we went for a II and I still feel like I'm in a luxury automobile! We love the car and think our Blizz is both beautiful and functional. Our first new car in 20 years or so.
My only complaint is the oil change frequency/0-20# (and so synthetic) requirement. Please consider revising this schedule.
We'll be going on our first 250 mile trip next week and we're looking forward to the fun! Thanks,

radio

 

Hey, where did all the storage go?

[The following is mostly tongue-in-cheek, but I am disappointed.]

I just transfered the stuff from my 2005 into the 2010 and I ran out of room. True, some of that stuff had 'just accumulated' and wasn't necessary, so it was time to cull, but even the stuff I needed wouldn't fit. I originally transitioned from a minivan to the 2005 and had no complaint about storage.

I understand the center console is smaller due to the 'flying buttress' shift console and the cool little compartment under the radio is gone due to the same reason. -(side note: BTW, I'm not convinced I like this development. The dash is a dust magnet and you just added a bunch more horizontal area...with nooks and crannies, no less. Besides, now I have no place to put my garbage receptacle {required by law in this state}, which used to fit nicely on the hump between the front seats)- But why did we lose the map pockets in the doors? Have you every been in downtown Seattle and needed to quickly pull out your FastMap so you can figure out how to get back to the freeway? Now I have to put my maps and travel guides (complete west coast collection) in the glove box, try sorting that mess out in traffic...and hey, wait a minute,the glove box got smaller too! They all won't fit. My husband tells me to just add the maps we need when we go on a longer trip...ya, like I will remember to do that. I will be cursing you this summer when I can't find a place to stay that will take dogs and has Internet access.

I love the dual glove box. The top box - a special place for little things that you are always needing: ferry schedules, gum, tissues, mileage notebook (puts a grin on my face every time I fill up), pens, tire pressure gauge, etc. These things get lost in a one-size-fits-all glove box. So kudos to you for addressing that issue, but where did the nice shelf go to further keep the little stuff organized? And this top box has less volume too!

What is up with this? Did that 0.3 liters of increased engine displacement require a loss of glove box real estate? Have airbags gotten larger? Is this how the better efficiency is created --> less storage = less weight = better gas mileage? I'm curious.

It is always interesting to see what designers think are design improvements. And what design features people get use to. I do miss my storage.

.Try better next time.

P.S. I recently went to put my garage door opener and clip-on sunglasses in the overhead compartment and guess what...you guesed it, this is smaller too! Clip-ons won't fit with opener. Really, where has all this extra space gone?!?

 

The new Prius is a home run. No it is a grand slam.

How do I think you did.

Having driven it for two weeks, it is a great car. It is clearly a step up from the Gen II.

 

I second the thoughts expressed in the above snipped quote. I will pay more for safety, but I will not over pay for NAV and other toys - no matter how much the geek in me wants to play with them. Hence the base model this time around.

I am 5'4" and I also agree that many of the controls that were in perfect reach in the older Gen are an uncomfortable stretch now. It is awkward to have to lean forward to adjust the mirror then sit back to see if it is right; rinse, repeat. Again, why were the inside door panels so drastically redesigned? I sense a conspiracy here.

So far I don't find the tray/cubby very useful (I suppose it is better than a solid wall...hey, how 'bout some map pockets instead?) and utilizing the outlet does seem a hassle from the driver's side.