PriusChat's 2010 Prius In-Depth Review and First Drive

I have been told there is no key fob slot because all Prius will have SKS, the only difference from model to model is the number of doors you can unlock the car from. Lower spec cars driver's door, higher spec both front doors. As said in other posts there is a proximity loop near the power button which can be used when the fob battery is flat (or when SKS is off. I guess there is a switch?).

Thanks Danny for a great review, I look forward to my test drive later in the year.

 

What is "the Volt"? Is Toyota bringing out a new model?
A CD player could have played up in a car that gets 15mpg, what gas savings would you have lost then?
Not being critical of your post just looking from another angle.

 

I'm 6'3" do you think I will fit? JERRRY

 

I'm 6' tall and when I sat to test the vehicle, I found myself very comfortable and with the extended range of the seat and butt hight adjustment better yet. This 2010 is a keeper for me.

 

Thanks Danny for giving an honest and "real" review... it has excited me once again to drive a fresh new car with new toys!...

I would find it hard to go with another make of car now that I have been so spoiled with all the goodies the Prius offers... anything else would be flat out boring... except a new improved one of course!

Although I had prayed plugin and an extended battery, all the other added amenities cannot be ignored or taken lightly.

I can't wait to own one.

 

Danny -

Your review comments on handling and quietness, but not on "ride". Can you elaborate on your impressions of harshness of ride and ability to withstand bumps and potholes, comparing the 15" and the 17" wheels, and compared to Gen II?

Thanks

 

I agree waiting will be interesting... but waiting only on behalf of Toyota.
Although I'm glad to see others attempting to get into the hybrid market and even do new things, I'm "extremely" nervous about anything coming out of GM... not because they are evil, but because they are inexperienced in this new field and even the field they proclaim dominance in, they are on the verge of bankruptcy with uncertain futures at best and no track record in this arena.
They will need bargain basement prices to make the risks of buying their product worth considering.

Seems most of the rivals are playing it safe with electric only... simple motors with little to go wrong playing it safe, but making a true hybrid takes a bit of savvy.


Meanwhile we can rest assured that whatever Toyota puts out, it will work!.... although I'm sure they would like to have even better technology out there, I can bank that the stuff they have chosen to release has been thoroughly tested "based on their track record" as being trustworthy.

Few companies have taken risks time after time with new innovative technology and actually pulled it off without failing and starting at scratch... Toyota has!

GM is a baby in this new market.... who knows what one will get when they buy from them?
Although some of their claims sound romantic, I'm hesitant to take the crown of a failing company as being worth anything.
I'm also hesitant to deal with someone grasping for straws to stay alive.

Waiting is always an option... but like computers... no matter when you buy, there will always be better around the corner.

So when do I buy.... Humm... thats a hard call.

But so far, Toyota is the only one offering more than a house made of cards.

 

Is the navigation system substantially better than what's in Toyota's 2009 vehicles (e.g. 7.1 DVD), other than the addition of NavTraffic? I find the existing system sluggish to respond to user input, limited in features, and to have poor voice recognition. Also, how does the high-end Prius' audio system's sound quality compare to standard (not premium upgrade version) Toyota/Lexus systems? I've got an ES350 with standard audio (Pioneer) that has a horrid sound quality, and I'm hoping I can get something better in a 2010 Prius, without having to pay the cost premium for a 2010 HS250h.

 

The sound quality is not much better than the "upgraded" JBL system of years past, still it's a JBL low end equipment, do not keep your hopes high.

 

Danny, I would like to ask a question about the 3 modes, "Eco, Normal, and Power"

I read your description and what I"m confused about is that I remember they said that the 3 modes are active until the pedal is pressed farther than about half way at which time the 3 modes converge into one.

Meaning that if you have it in eco mode and punch the pedal to the floor, it will quickly give you the same power as if you were in power mode and did the same thing.

I noticed you said at full highway speeds is when you noted the difference the most.. if so, "how" did you do the test?... did you do a full depression of the gas pedal to the floor or did you mean the overall feel with normal driving and passing techniques "which may only require partial depression of the pedal"?

I guess here is my final reasoning for asking this question.. . is there ever an honest need to leave the mode in anything besides "eco" unless your showing off or just having fun?

If you got in a bind in an unexpected moment, do you feel you would be at any disadvantage in any way for power if you had it in eco mode at the time verses power mode?

 

Thanks.... the graph would indeed be interesting.

It will be quite fun knowing we have that option available.

Can you also ask how much more it would cost to integrate a little nitrous oxide when we hit the power button?

Of course we don't want too much so as to activate the antiskid mechanisms while going over 70mph!

 

After driving a Honda Civic Hybrid, for the last 5 years, I finally decided it was time to get a Prius. The only question was whether to get a 2009 or 2010. Saturday, my wife and I took a new 2009 for a ride and were very pleased with the ride and performance, but when I sat my 6' frame in the rear seat, my head hit the headliner. Since this car would be our family car and my 6' son would be riding in the back, I had to rule out the 2009 as my next car.

 

Sorry folks, my previous post, posted before I finished.
I have read that the 2010 has .3" more headroom than the 2009, could someone, who has sat in the rear seat of a 2010, preferably 6' in height, tell me whether there is a significant difference in the 2010 rear headroom.
Thank you.