Do you like the new body design?

I liked the look of the Generation 2.

I like the look of the Generation 3.

I will also say this, imo, the Generation 3 looks much better in person, on the street than it does in pictures. Don't ask me why, but I think it looks much better when you actually see one in the "tin" as opposed to photos.

Before the actual release, I was afraid I was going to dislike the Generation 3 from a looks standpoint, but after seeing one on the streets and actually at the dealerships, I think it looks great. Good mix of Iconic Prius and modern update. Imo, very sharp looking automobile.

 

i don't like the look of the Gen II, it looked like a 1990 interpretation of what a futuristic would look like. it was not very pleasing to the eye.

the Gen III looks a lot better for the most part. i don't like the pronounced nose where the emblem resides, and i don't like how the hood has the same lines that run from the nose across the hood. it looks like they are calling too much attention to the logo. i think it's time to get rid of the vertical tail lights, because for the most part trucks and vans have vertical tail lights, but i do like the Gen III's tail lights better and i like how they are flush with the rear spoiler lip. horizontal tail lights would look better. the tail lights are also a little big and could be reduced in size a bit. the lower hatch window should be a bit bigger for visibility too.

besides that though i really like it.

oh and the form does not come before the function of this car, the form is dictated by it's function.

 

We already have that. It's called Acura RSX.

It might be one thing that never changes, like the Mustangs, Corvettes, Porsches, etc.

 

For the longest time (like until a few days ago), I liked the Gen III design about equally with the Gen II. I thought it wasn't better, nor worse, just different.

But a few days ago I concluded:

1. The Gen II design was definitely more revolutionary. For many of us, our jaws dropped when we first saw it.

2. The Gen II looks better. Gen III looks great, but Gen II looks better.

BTW, the Gen III looks like what I had expected the new Honda Insight to look like -- especially with the raked, side crease that I associate more with Hondas and Acuras (though their creases are usually indented as well).

 

We were actually thinking of getting a new 09...until we saw the 2010 next to it...no contest.

 

"Cute"? I'd say half of us do not want to drive a "cute" car or a car with "cute" features. :rockon:

Personally, I like the styling a lot. Previous generations look plain by comparison. And the styling provides the best drag coefficient so far, which is very important in a car that's meant to save gas and coast a lot.

 

Love the new design and after driving an SUV for the past few years, the new Prius will be like driving a sports car. The old design didn't do anything for me but when I saw the 2010, I thought it was much improved, inside and out. Actually taking a test drive in one is what sold me. I'll be ordering mine as soon as I figure out what to do with my old car. (Wish it qualified for the clunker program!)

 

I like the new design much better than the Gen II

 

I'm another one who was considering an 09 until I saw the 10. I knew I'd be kicking myself for years if I got the 09. the Gen III is much sportier, less dowdy, more refined, not so utilitarian. I love it!

 

i went from gen 1 to gen 3, skipping gen 2

to me gen 2 looks wierd

gen 1 looks like a corolla and gen 3 looks like a celica

 

Exactly the same thing I was going to say. I was about to buy a Gen II until I saw the shots of the Gen III popping up on the net.

 

Gen II looks bland and the interior doesn't make you feel like you are the driver. The Gen III looks great and the interior has the wrap around feel that shows differentiates who is the driver.

My wife was mildly interested in the Gen II, I would never consider it. We saw/drove the III and bought.

 

I didn't care for the Gen II look. It's too rounded and smooth and just blah for my taste (aks, the "egg" look)--I prefer more angular lines. I drive a very boxy 2002 CR-V (for about 2 more days!) and I don't like what Honda did to them on the remodel, so I knew I wasn't getting one of those to replace the old one. I read a review (I think on MSNBC.com) about the improvements on the 2010 Prius and decided to check it out.

Although I'm not a fan of the blue shift knob and giant center console (yet--I might grow to love it), the overall layout and lines of the 2010 are much more pleasing to my eye than the Gen II. The chopped front end is still blah to me also, but I doubt that will go away--I imagine it needs to be that way to reduce the air resistance as much as possible.

 

I like the new design, but not as much as the Gen 2 design. I liked that the gen 2 stood out, looks rather unique. The new design kinda went back towards more traditional design characteristics.

 

Driving down highway with a fried the other day and saw a Gen III. She said it looked like the old Pontiac Aztec (what an ugly car that was) I think it was the back end of the car.

In a way, she was right....

 

Do Gen II owners have different vision or something? The back ends of Gen II and III look basically the same.

 

The Gen II back end is much smoother/rounder.

The Gen III back end is much more jagged/angular ... sorta like the back end of an Aztec (but much nicer looking).

 

Okay, I guess Gen III fans strongly prefer the angular look and Gen II fans strongly prefer the rounded/smoother look. But in terms of the back ends, that's like comparing twins because the vertical taillights and split hatchback glass still stick out like a sore thumb.

Oh, the Aztec doesn't belong in the same sentence as any Prius

 

I love the Gen III Prius! I waited for the 2010 because I thought the redesign was better than the earlier models...not a fan of the slab sides. I like the angular look and the creases in the side panels. The car looks sportier and more substantial. Now about that Aztec...I agree that it doesn't belong in the same sentence as a Prius, but, the other day I saw one parked in the grocery store parking lot and actually thought, hmmm, that kinda looks like the new Prius (but in an ugly kind of way)! (sorry!)

 

True. Though actually, I think that both Gen II and Gen III Prius' rear ends are reminiscent of .... [New Sentence] Reminisicent of the Aztec's rear end.

It is amazing that you can have two cars with rear ends that are reminiscent of each other. Yet one car is widely recognized as one of the ugliest cars ever made (the original Aztec). While the other is viewed by many (well, at least by me) as one of the most beautiful cars ever made (Gen II and Gen III Prius).