2010 Prius First Drive - What do you want me to cover?

The Beep! See if you can disable the Beep!

 

Danny you are one lucky guy LOL. Even though it's probably a short drive, you know how your current Prius reacts and what kind of mpg numbers you see in yours for your particulard driving style, I would be interested in your comparasion and opinion if the new Prius would get better mpg's then yours now, the same or worse.

 

Look out the rear window. Is it any better?????

 

I'd like to see some video, both from outside the car and inside while in motion. Show us what the new dash looks like, and test out the voice activated nav. Surely you could find a willing co-pilot with some video experience to volunteer?

The other thing I've yet to see is how many people will fit. No, I don't mean five in seatbelts. I mean the old University thing with arms and legs everywhere. That'd make a great clip.

 

Danny,
I’m particularly interested in improvements in perceived seat comfort – seat angles, lumbar support, thigh support, leg room, cushioning, steering wheel positioning. There appears to be a lot of attention in this area so I’d like to hear if the hype translates into reality. [This is the only issue that has kept me from purchasing a Prius.] I know it’s totally subjective, but I’d appreciate your perspective.
I’d also like to hear about noise-deadening improvements. I’m assuming that the evaluation unit will have standard issue [OEM] tires.
Many thanks for this offer!

 

Ask them, what possessed them to increase the REAR leg room (and not the front). In my '06, my 6'5" father in law can fit fine in the back seat while the front seats are moved all the way back. As for front legroom, I (6'1") am a little uncomfortable in the front passenger seat because of the encroachment from the glove compartment. Unless I am driving, I would rather ride in the back any day.

 

+1 on Evan's ideas in post #2.

With a ScanGauge; running on cruise control, on the flat, ICE RPM's
at 55, 60, 65, and 70 MPH.

(I understand these numbers could be skewed by wind induced errors.)

 

How about RPM at a steady 20, 30, 40 MPH?

Wayne

 

Guess that rules out testing the top speed!

But seriously, no highways? That means linear stability at highway speeds won't be tested, which is one of the most important improvements (hopefully).

 

Hopefully, they'll let Danny drive versions with both 15 and 17 tires, so he can report on any differences in ride and handling.

 

Not sure you'll have the opportunity, but if you do, I'd like your impression of the effectiveness of the solar panel in keeping the interior cool while sitting idle for an extended period. Any chance they'll sell a sun roof w/o the solar panel?

Also, for sure tell us about the advanced technology package. Is it worth the hype?

I'm assuming both these options will be pretty pricey and would like to know how they perform before choosing one or the other, if either!

Thanks much

 

Try the ECO and PWR modes. Let us know how you like them. Do they make the car feel like completely different cars?

 

Plot as many data points as you can for these charts. The first is maximum acceleration:

And:


Prior to test, check the oil level and tire pressure.

During the test, see if you can have a digital video camera focused on:

• consumption display
• mph display
• microphone 'taped' to dash will give rpm 'and your audio notes'
• try to reset the MPG after setting the cruise control to any given speed (we can use to time-stamped MPG updates to calculate the asymptotic values if we can get say 1 minute at a given speed): target 45, 55, 65, and 75 mph
• coast down from 50 mph and listen for when ICE stops turning
• obviously longer tests at a fixed speed on a level route are better than shorter ones BUT we can use camera MPG time-stamps to 'do the math'
• maximum acceleration test is always useful WITH the consumption and mph concurrently in view
• see if "forced charge" still works

If possible, make an MPEG so we can more easily Mac analyze it.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

 

The look and feel of the display and controls please Danny
Are they intuitive and immediately useable when driving?
Also please note the changed console and new location
for the shifter (that has been the subject of so much
hand-wringing here on PC), are any of the changes
noticably difficult to use or intrusive as you drive?

 

This does not have to do with a test drive but see if they can give you a date range when we may expect to see them at dealers for purchase.

 

Danny,

I echo Tripod137. I'm 6'4" and interior size has kept me out of a Prius. I believe the shifter has moved to the center (from hitting my right knee) and there are claims of increased interior room but it may be limited to the back. I would be grateful if you could pin them down on any extra room that may have been created. I need to get a new car in the next couple months and would hold out for a 2010 if there were a couple extra inches. Thanks for making your offer!

 

How about asking if the typical shortcomings of the 2nd generation are improved in the new model?

- 12 volt battery drain if the car hasn't been driven for a while,
- traction control on slippery/icy roads,

Other readers who own the current generation would know better than I do about existing "issues", but these two stand out in my memory from all the postings I've seen.

Hope you have a great time!