What are the defects of the Prius 2010?

Previously I drove a 2009 model and my views about the 2010 Prius II are influenced by that experience.

Some things about the 2010 model I think are much better, including:
- all disk brakes, much more positive feeling
- access to controls (audio, air temperature)
- elimination of the old style touch screen display, which in sunlight often was very difficult to read, and which required too much attention (at the expense of safe driving) to change settings
- seats, at least in front, are a little more comfortable and provide good lumbar support

What I specifically dislike about the 2010 is the new styling. Though the roof and side are good, the front and rear contours I think are much less appealing than those of the 2009. My major complaints about the 2010 look are the headlight and taillight styling. In my view they are just plain ugly. Though traditionally some change are necessary to aid year model distinction, the stylists overreached and missed the mark as regards the lights. It is as if they decided they had to to do "something" ... even if it was bad. To me the smoother flowing contours of the 2009 headlights and taillights are much, much better.

Other negatives are the lack of owner-settable options, particularly to be rid of the notorious backup beeping. And the fact that the mpg figures on the display consistently are incorrect, roughly 8-10% above actual mileage as computed from the odometer reading (assumed to be fairly accurate) and carefully measured actual fuel consumed.

In total, I reluctantly wish I had kept the 2009 and saved the money required for the 2010 "upgrade".

 

They put the battery vent in the back (with the kids) and they say not to put foreign objects or liquids down the vent.

 

The clicking sound made when the turn indicator is used is too soft. And this is not compared to Buicks but other Honda's I have owned.

I have ended up leaving the turn signal on for shallow turns (like ramps) when the music was playing at a reasonable volume. Horrors!!

 

I am blinded by the signal light flashing when I do not have my sunglasses on

 

Has anyone else noticed that McDonald's cups (I get the $1 tea, not sure what size it is) get stuck in the center console cup holder? Every time I pick up the cup, the cup holder is firmly stuck to bottom.

 

I agree about the turn signals. In the 3 1/2 months that I've had mine I still forget sometimes to turn them off. They not only sound too low they should have a more positive automatic off. This is the first car I've ever had this problem with. And I am no new driver!!!!!!

 

Why are power seats with memory not an option?

Also, a question. Is the bad radio reception just on the standard radio or does it apply to the premium sound system too?

 

The unintended loss of braking on rough roads has to be on the list unless you have decided it's a feature.

 

The rubber pad on my parking brake fell off

 

I miss map pockets in the door. There's plenty of thickness in the door panel below the armrest for a long, slim map pocket to be sculpted out, like in most cars.

The small cup-holder like space in the door does nothing for me.

 

Originally Posted by Airbalancer
The rubber pad on my parking brake fell off

 

the high pitch whine when braking

 

I wish the Homelink buttons lit up when the headlamps were on. I am always fumbling for the correct button to open the garage door and have opened the wrong one (we have 2) on a few occasions already. Our other car with Homelink has the buttons backlit.

 

I complained also about the steering wheel and homelink lighting (lack there of)
On my 2009 the homelink is on the mirror and there are 3 buttons for operation with the on/off light in between the 2nd and third buttons. I discovered that by coding the left 2 buttons to my left garage door and the one right button to my right door I can "blindly" locate the proper on/off button by pushing on the desired side of the light.
If the 2010 homelink is similar this may help offset poor design. At least your 2010 has addressed the steering wheel lighting problem

 

Two highly desired features that would greatly improve my 2010 Prius w/solar and nav. experience:
(1) Have an indicator somewhere that shows whether the solar panel a/c is on or off. Thus far, I've only been able to tell based on whether the button is depressed or not, however, that only works as an indicator if you changed the setting while the car was running.
(2) Either automatically turn the headlights off when the power is turned off, or significantly increase the visual and audio warning that the lights are on. My other car, a 1998 Subaru Outback automatically turned the lights off for me, and I keep forgetting to turn the Prius' lights off.

 

I thought that if the lights are already on when you shut the door and lock the car, then the lights turn off after 30 sec.

 

My Prius defect is it is so quiet that when I have an open water bottle in either the door or center console cup holder, I can hear the little plastic ring on an the bottle rattle.