2010 Prius Driving Impressions DISCUSSION Thread

I just drove one at Rick Hendrick Toyota in Fayettville last weekend. I know these are suppose to be fuel efficient, but unless you are in power mode, the thing really has no power at all. Anything to do other than buy a mini or a corrola? Or do they have hop ups?

Am I missing the point of the car? I will assume so.

 

Yep, I think you missed it! Better keep looking! Have you considered a motorcycle?
Funny thing is, even with that you'll get worse gas mileage.

 

Prius is not a car that could be modified easily to provide more power. If you want straight line performance it would make more sense to buy a performance car. If you want performance and mileage you will need to compromise. Lexus has some pretty good performance hybrids that have excellent handling as well. But don't forget your wallet, and the mileage won't be what you can get with a Prius.

 

I agree, if you want it all... the gas mileage will have to take a hit and the Lexus hybrid would be my next choice.

I guess you just have to decide, just how fast do you need to go and how quick and what price are you willing to pay to do it?

If you have money for those kind of tickets, the extra gas should be no big deal.

 

I have about 800 miles both road and town and have not yet gotten to 50mpg. Average for last tank was about 45mpg. Any hints on what I may be doing wrong. I will have a 1500 mile trip in the next few days and i am looking forward to see what can be done.

I have a 2010 Prius V with nav system but no sunroof/automatic cooling. It has a great white pearl finish.

I have enjoyed driving this but I agree that the bar across the back window is a hindrance. I hope to get the dealer to shut off the back-up beep. I believe that I will continue with the satellite radio.

My biggest complaint is the navigation system which i think for the amount of money is a joke with very few local streets and inability to direct to exact addresses. My Garmin for about 1/10th the cost does far better.

 

Aside from reading the numerous posts about driving to get better gas mileage, if you could get a veteran prius driver to be your passenger for about an hour, it may reveal things your doing.

I believe if the software thats in the prius was in many cars, it would greatly improve thier mileage.

The prius has a battery and fancy technology to help it, but there is logic to it and its easy to fight against its logic rather than work with it.

Once you learn what the car is doing and why it does it, its easier to allow it to do its job and not undo what it does.

Its true, you can just drive the car and forget about anything else an you'll still get awesome mileage, but if you can work with the car, you can greatly improve it even more.

 

that long trip will be telling. if its mostly freeway. set it to 60 mph, you will get near 60 mpg. do 65 mph, get 55-56 mpg. set at 70 mph, get 49-50 mpg.

keep in mind, head winds add to effective mph. if you are driving into 10 mph headwind at 60 mph, expect 70 mph gas mileage, etc. best thing to do is track mileage coming and going and average it to get real results

obtw; before you leave, put some air in your tires

 

I agree with what Oly Dave said above, speed and headwind have a large effect. Tire pressures are important, higher that recommended pressures will give you a pretty significant boost in mileage. I have a Prius V (17" wheels) as you do and I have been using 48 psi. The pressure for max load on the sidwall is 51 psi so you won't damage the tires, I have noticed no unusual wear, and resistance to hydroplaning is reported to be better with higher pressures. There is still some heated controversy about this however.

I have Toyota's nav system in my Prius and I also have a Garmin Nuvi 760. All I can say is the Toyta ststem is useable and isn't as bad when you get used to it. But it's not as easy to use or as versitile as the Garmin, and your right they should be ashamed to sell it for that price. It's biggest advantage is that it's built in and has a backup camera. The interface with the audio system is also nice.

 

Well I have a long commute to work, about 50 miles each way. Right now I have a F-150 for the family to get around, but I want a commuter.

No I have not done all my research, looking at a Toyota, and maybe a Subaru, but they do not get that great mileage either. 30+ mpg would be great with some power. The Corolla I drive was a xrs model, and it was very quick for a car around $23k. You can not tell me a prius is as fast as that car, then maybe you need to do some research.

A friend of mine has a civic si, and it is real nice, but I want a automatic.

Drove the mini today, I hardly fit in it at 6'1 190. Not a comfy car for someone of my stature.

 

So, how much MPG are you getting with your V? Is it true that Vs get less MPG due to its 17 inch tire? And i'm still not sure what the advantages are having a bigger tire?

 

I have a 60 mile loop I use for mileage tests, mostly rural back roads and 2 lane highway. Lots of hills, 2 traffic lights, 7 stop signs, and not to much traffic. Driving it in my normal fashion I get around 55 in the summer. Really trying the best I have done is 71.5 displayed mileage.

Recently took a 3500 mile trip through the Southwest mostly freeways and rural highways, avoided cities. Drove the speed limit mostly 55 to 75 MPH a few stretches at 80 MPH, displayed mileage 49.7 computed mileage 47.6 for the trip.

When I drive it like any other car it seems to get about 48 to 50, If I'm pretty careful but don't hold anyone else up and don't pulse and glide or anything it will get 55 or so. Again that's displayed mileage.

I can't compare that to a Gen 3 with the 15" wheels but compared to my Gen2 I suspect it would be about the same, maybe a bit better.

Just a guess but I suspect the wider tires and heaver wheels are going to take off 1 to 1 1/2 MPG. I went from the stock 185/65-15 tires on my Gen2 to 205/60-15 tires, same wheels and same circumference tires, I think I lost about 1 MPG.

I believe the big advantage to the wider tires is handling and stopping distance. Also the V comes with a brushless steering motor that has more power so we get 2 1/2 turns lock to lock for steering; The other 3 versions have the old style steering motor and about 3 1/2 turns lock to lock. I think that helps the V quite a bit, IMHO faster steering is safer and easier to drive.

 

I traded in a 2007 Camry for my 2010 Prius III, so far I am very satisfied with my decision to buy the car. I loved my Camry but wasn't thrilled about the fuel efficiency.. about 32mpg on the highway and 24 in town. So far I am averaging over 52 mpg and I am totally just learning to drive the car. Driving a hybrid is obviously a talent that one doesn't perfect quickly, although this forum has helped me learn some of the basics. Overall I feel the car is more comfortable than the Camry was in the drivers seat, I am 6' and weigh 225 lbs. it fits me like a glove. It seems like I have less room to haul luggage than the Camry had, but there again just getting used to the hatchback and the storage underneath. My passengers in the back seat say it is comfortable and quiet for longer trips. Less stops along the way for fuel for sure. These are amazing cars, I truly understand why people like them so well.

 

the diff between the V and the lower packages illustrates what roll tires play in the mileage game. the Prius comes stock with one of the most efficient low rolling resistance tires you can get at the sacrifice of EVERYTHING else. comfort, traction, longevity, etc (plus more i am sure) have all been attacked here at PC.

so ya, the additional friction from the wider tires will play a small role of a few %. but probably no more than changing OEM tires out when they wear out.

now, after all that. my OEM's on my SPM will be swapped out probably in the next month or so. will have about 42,000 miles on them. so no, did not get the 50,000 they were rated for. but at the same time, i could probably go farther on them. but its getting close to that time to change, plus its also getting close to winter... so it goes

 

I have a 65-75 mile each way commute (depends on route I take), and love my Prius for it. When I did my trade study, I looked at keeping my Titan (great comfort), a Fusion Hybrid (half comfort-half gas), Jetta TDI (gas and durability of the diesel) and the Prius IV (gas and durability by technology). I looked at other cars as well, but on the long commute, comfort was an equal priority to mileage and durability so many fell out very quickly -- especially compacts. Regardless of which route you go for getting better mileage, you'll tradeoff some comfort or savings. FWIW, I didn't go with the Jetta since in N. VA a hybrid with the "Clean Fuel" plate is still a free ticket into the HOV (saves 30 minutes on my commute).

Not an easy decision, but every time I wish I had looked at the new BMW diesel or something similar for the extra comfort, I peek at the 60+ mpg on the display and smile as I pass the gas stations. As well, there is a bit of a fun factor in focusing on maximizing mileage that makes the commute go faster.

Good luck, whichever way you go.

 

Test drove the Prius II yesterday and I gotta say I'm impressed. It's so quiet and handling is good.

I should be the owner of Prius III Blizzard Pearl by the end of this week!

 

I like the car a lot, but the steering is "loose", like a boat. Plus the steering wheel is too high and too far away. Other than that no real surprises or disappointments driving wise. Suspension is pretty soft and the steering radius is pretty large. Brakes are OK. Nothing to write home about.

 

You do know that the steering on the 2010 is adjustable up and down "and" in and out?.. if its still too far away either you have extremely long legs or you slouch in the seat and will soon have back problems!

 

My wife owns a 2009 and I own a 2010. The difference between the two cars is remarkable, not only in terms of improved horsepower but also the overall handling of the 2010. Great job, Toyota! Very pleased with both!!