Differences between Gen II and Gen III???

The 2010 is 'all new', different, larger body, larger engine, smaller motor, smaller battery, newer electronics. As a first year, it may be prone to some teething issues. The 2009 is the last year of a model that started in 2004, so it is very sorted out. Perhaps 5 more MPG in the 2010 than the 2004 - 2009. I have a 2009 and like it a lot.

Toyota Prius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2010
Toyota Prius - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia 2009

 

I am brand new to the prius as well. But I know a major difference is the new motor. And of course the look of the new one.

 

You would save $$$ of the price, but you would have significantly less resale value in the future as well. As more and more of the 2010 models are on the road, the previous model will increasingly look "dated." I like getting a new model right when it comes out, because it will be the "up-to-date" model for years to come.

Those who are turning in the old model will be able to explain the differences better than I, but I'll share a couple real-life stories.

I was showing a friend my new car yesterday, and I pointed out a previous model that was parked nearby. She said, "Wow, the new one is WAY sportier!" And she said she'd like to get one, too!

Today my thirteen-year-old son's friend was in the car for the first time, and he was fascinated and amazed by it. He said his mom was in the market for a new car, and he was going to go home and tell her to buy a Prius!

For me, the intangible of that"cool" factor makes the new Prius much more attractive than the older model, which was sometimes seen as a car for "old people."

While the upper models get pricey, the base model (which I have with no extras) is a GREAT car for a reasonable price, IMO. I would only get the previous model if there is absolutely no way for you to purchase/finance the 2010.

 

IMO, the significant differences -

1) 2010 has 24 more total horsepower (134 HP), thus its HP and weight are on par with a similar conventional car, a base model 2009 Matrix.
2004 - 2009 is 110 HP total, but only 100 lbs lighter curb weight.
You'll appreciate more power when climbing steep hills.

2) 2010 - a little more interior space, minus the new center console if you're ok with that.
With that space comes notably improved front seats and addition of driver seat height adjuster/telescoping steering wheel, plus 2.5" more driver seat legroom which is actually a lot for those well over 6ft.

Note - I wouldn't put too much faith in legroom/headroom ... specs listed by mfrs or in consumer reports. Better to see for yourself.

Bit more rear seat legroom and headroom in 2010. Some will say less rear legroom, but that is only because front seats can go 2.5" farther back.

3) 2007 - 2009 all came with rearview camera in pack2 and up. Rearview is very handy. I love it for backing into spaces also. Wouldn't go without it. Also 'Gen2' had 3 door smartkey (3 door in '10 IV+ vs. 3 door in Gen2 pack2 up). IMO, that is 'nice to have' and not 'really nice to have' like better seats/more hill climbing power.

In the '10, must get navigation for backup camera, or could add an aftermarket nav / or wireless rear camera.

4) 2010 has many more control buttons. IMO, can be a little cumbersome to cycle through the 07 -09 touchscreen for audio / climate controls. '10 also has power mode buttons.

5) You'd save lots buying a used Prius over a new one.

6) 04 -09 is still a pretty good car with amazing fuel economy. Make sure you like and fit the driver's seat before buying - notoriously small and lacks adequate adjustment for many.

 

The 2010 Prius if the first car that I know of that is belt less. It also does not have the fuel tank bladder or thermos that the last generation Prius have which means less to go wrong.

 

Gen II = ugly duckling
Gen III = swan

 

I love my '06. Mainly...the center console--I LOVE all the storage space and hidey holes. I'm 5' tall, so the driver's seat is perfect for me. In fact, I've never driven a car that's had such a comfortable driving position. And that comes back to the center console again--comfy leaning for long drives. The new gadgets are cool, but I'm happy with my baby. And I don't think it's an ugly duckling, either. (Wth 32k--we don't get enough grief from non-Prius drivers, now we have to listen to it from Gen IIIers???)

Am I reading stuff correctly--you have to get a nav package to get the backup camera in a '10? Well, that'd be another reason I wouldn't go Gen III. I love the backup camera (found PriusChat the day after I brought the car home, when I googled "disable prius reverse beep"--and did I also see somewhere that that mod must be done by the dealer? That'd be still another reason for me to stick with Gen II).

 

I was faced with the same dilemma before finally settling on a 2010. Here is the thread I used to help think thru my decision:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/62221-2010-vs-2009-early-comparisons.html.
Doesn't cover everything, but may be worth reading.

As others have advised me, I think the bottom line comes down to you test driving both the Gen2 (touring and non-touring) and Gen3 (V and non-V, if your budget allows). The more you test drive, the better you'll be able to "feel" the differences, and weigh your budget against it. For me, I noticed the 2010 in general was a softer, quieter ride yet handled better. Also the power mode really makes the car zoom. Make sure you try it out during your test drive. I can't say much on MPG since I never owned a Gen2.

 

One additional consideration, when comparing new to used (for an 09 and perhaps 08), is to check whether or not your state has any kind of sales or income tax incentive which only apply to "new" cars (federal long gone for Prius). I did not even know my state had a hybrid tax exemption (40mpg and over) until the legislature voted to take it away early (was supposed to run a couple of years). Suddenly, the "end" was publicized by the state so a bunch of us went shopping. So depending on where one lived in WA and which model people purchased (and if any add-ons), the savings was $2,000 to $3,000 (8% to 9.5%). The 2009 slightly used cars for sale, and demos (which did not qualify), ended up being the same when I considered the sales tax (since many of the 2009s had higher sticker prices for similar packages). Happy shopping

 

Having a 2006 and now a 2010, one irritating difference I find it that the "smart key" doesn't open either the passenger door or the trunk (hatchback) door. You have to open the driver door and click on the unlock button to open either of these two. Cheap!

 

Your dealer can set the fob to unlock all doors with one push and you can set the doors to all open by grabbing the driver door handle.

 

I'm SURE somebody will pick up on this and help me out here--I seem to remember that the Gen II key is user programmable for this. The default is for it to only open the driver's door--it's a safety issue for many people who don't want all the doors unlocking at once. I think the instructions for changing this are even in the manual (mine is elsewhere, with my car, at the moment, so I can't confirm). In any case, I am PRETTY sure this is not a dealer fix. I know I thought about changing this option, and I wouldn't have considered it had it been a dealer thing. Now, that's not to say you don't have to have a dealer program the fob to operate the car--you do. But for the door opening patterns...I really think it is something you can do yourself. (I can't find it here with search...maybe I'm using the wrong search words...or it isn't here, and it is in the manual...I HAVE seen it somewhere...)

 

I would prefer one push for all too and am having my dealer do it for me as a delivery issue at my 1000 dealer mile check up.

Just a heads up if you don't know - you can open all the doors by pushing the fob button twice (this is the delivered, default condition); you don't have to use the unlock button on the driver's door.

 

http://priuschat.com/forums/newbie-forum/44977-unlock-all-doors.html

I knew it was here somewhere!

 

Did you happen to notice that this was the Gen III forum? I answered his ? for a Gen III which is what he has and was asking about.

 

Yup. But the title of the thread is Diff betw Gen II and Gen III, and there appear to be those still considering whether to get a Gen II or III. This might help them, no?

 

Besides many of the differences mentioned here already, the 1st video and the PDF attached to http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-main-forum/60002-prius-technology-video.html were very informative if you want to hear about some of the technical details.