Gen III - How Much Better Than Gen II?

The Gen III handling, especially highway handling, is heads and tails above the Gen II handling. If you get the leather seats with lumbar support, the Gen III comfort is also much better. I'd say looks also, but that's subjective. Nav actually got worse in the Gen III, but you'll find plenty of people don't like any Toyota Nav (it's actually good enough IMHO). Overall feel of the car is better now, IMHO (feels a lot less like an economy car).

 

I have and still drive both. I think the Gen III is a little quicker and gets a few more mpg. Both my wife and I prefer the Gen II for no particular reason. It seems easier to drive overall. My biggest problem is remember where the START button is!

 

I usually look at cars for about three years before the 10-year mark when I actually purchase. I researched the GenII, but with GenIII coming (and more and more details emerged) I decided to wait for it. Glad I did--fully equipped it is a very nice car in urban areas and on long trips.

 

Sold a 2004 to buy a 2010 and firmly believe it is a major advance -- not as dramatic as the Prius II over Prius 1, but still very significant. In a nutshell the pleasure is owning a bigger car with more power, better ride, better handling, more luggage space -- and, incredibly, all this for even higher mpg.

 

And (I know I'm going to upset people here but it's my opinion) the 2010 looks much better.

 

I cannot directly answer the question, because I do not own a G2. But I am "very high" on the G3.

Interesting little side note. We just bought a 2011 Honda CR-V EX-L. My wife has not been quite as enthustiac about the Prius as I ... mostly because it is so low to the ground. We live where it snows a lot. Plus, we like to drive up into the mountains and explore the back country. Neither a Prius strong point. Thus the CR-V purchase. I feel they will complement each other.

During the discussion and test drive of the CR-V, my wife came to realize and expressed several times .... that the Prius really did have ALL the "bells and whistles."
I think she has finally come to realize all the "creature comforts" the G3 has.

 

I test drove both and thought they felt the same. Although maybe it was because I test drove a Touring. If you have own a Prius already I wouldn't bother upgrading unless there is something majorly wrong with your current car. That is how Toyota makes their $$$$ of of you. But in a nutshell:

Gen III Prius V > Gen II Touring > Gen III base > Gen II base

 

Which car is "better" depends on what YOU want. If you want a solar roof or the advanced avionics then you have to buy a 2010. So far fuel economy is close enough to be a wash. The seats & handling of my 2010 are better than the 2006 but a more fully loaded Gen 2 will have more features than most Gen 3 cars.

 

I'm going to play that familiar tune I love to play -

* The 3rd Gen Prius has a much better balance of vertical to horizontal occupant space.

* The 2nd Gen Prius has a lot of vertical occupant space, especially up front, but you better have legs on the shorter side (maybe 33" or less) to fit well. Those that have trouble discerning what it's like to sit in a proper car need only try out any new or recent Honda Accord.

* That 2nd Gen Pruis steering wheel, mounted very close to the dash, owns your a$$ as a driver. I don't care what you do with aftermarket seats, you better have some legs allowing you to scoot close enough to reach and fit under that steering wheel.

* IF you fit and function well in a 2nd Gen Prius, you may not notice much difference in the base model compared to the 3rd Gen, aside from obvious design differences.

* 3rd Gen Prius chassis feels stiffer and more solid than 2nd Gen base Prius. 3rd Gen feels a little heavier which it is and appears more buff on the outside. Cargo area larger, wider in 3rd Gen.

* JBL audio is more robust in the 3rd Gen Prius. Nav system sharper in 2nd Gen. Separation of climate, system displays, nav, audio is a much better setup in the 3rd Gen Prius. Floating bridge console matter of personal taste.

 

I don't have a Gen III, but I've put, collectively about 50 miles on them. I do have a Gen II that my wife primarily drives.

IMHO there is nothing about the Gen III that isn't an improvement over the Gen II. The Gen III rides better, handles better, its peppier, gets better mileage, has more space, has a better and more normal interior layout, is more attractive.

In our garage I would NEVER choose to drive the Prius, unless I was hauling something and needed the seats down and the hatch.

The Gen III though, I think I would happily drive. We would trade but my wife really likes her Gen II and we both have come to the realization that the next vehicle for her will be some sort of family hauler (Minivan, SUV, etc) and it makes no sense to trade it in on another Prius...

 

I have and drive both a 2005 and a 2010. Here's my opinion:

Ways gen 3 is better than gen 2:

Steering and handling - crisper
Comfort is better with leather and lumbar
Looks - a bit better, although my wife prefers the gen 2
Satellite radio is excellent, but FM is bad
Power mode - never leave home without it on. If I forget I notice the sluggishness immediately
Heated seats - the colder it gets the more you like

Ways gen 2 is better than gen 3:

Brakes are quieter and more powerful. The gen 3 brakes make annoying clicks and squishy sounds
FM radio is better
The interior - especially glove box - is better quality, more solid.

 

I've had all 3 Prius generations...and still have the gen 2 and gen 3.
I like the gen 3 the best.

Besides a dozen or two minor improvements I get 7-10 mpg more than the gen 2. I also like the mpg and other info being displayed up next to the speedometer. Once you have this info up closer to the windshield it seems odd looking down to see it on the gen 1 and gen 2.

Everything else can really be considered normal improvements or items of personal choice, mostly.

3PriusMike

 

I personally think the Insight looks better than both the Gen 1/2 & 3 Prius...that's why I almost bought one...on looks alone the Insight wins...but...they made it 1/8 too small so it was a no sale. I loved the Gen 2 Prius but when the time came it was gone and I like the Gen III very much also but I do agree the interior is cheaper and has less usable storage up front. I for one don't think the Gen III info center is better than the Gen II (I liked all the color). I believe Toyota took the interior of the Gen III down a notch to make room for Lexus i.m.o.

I would though buy the Gen III over the Gen II for the rear seat room increase alone.

 

Even with the MPG/ECO/TRIPA,B etc up near the windshield, I found myself keep looking at them and get distracted. My eyes are not looking at the road as often and one point, it almost cause an accident. I think it will be even worst if the info is on a separate screen in the middle and you hand has to move away from your steering wheel for the touch screen.
Can you comment on that?

 

Have had a GEN III model IV nav for a couple of weeks. Previously had an early GEN II and loved it. Most trouble free car I have ever owned (18 cars so far). Now I am just learning all the bells and whistles.

Not so sure about the smaller number and size of storage. The glove compartments are also a bit smaller. I liked the info screen on the MF display a bit better and much easier to get a quick assessment of how things are going.

Getting used to more bells and whistles will raise the learning curve. I have been browsing the 1006 pages contained in the three manuals.

But, so far, it seems a lot quieter on the highway, the heated leather seats are better as are the lumbar and height adjustments. Also good are the steering wheel adjustments. There seems to be more room inside and in the "trunk" area.

As to the front center "console", I am a retired navy pilot and initially I got the feeling that I was back in the cockpit. I think I can get used to it pretty well but I am still reaching forward to something that is now under my right arm.

Now, I need to study one of those darn manuals (they area better organized that the Gen II ones, though.

 

I found the seats and driving position of the III much better than the II. I rented a II in 2008 and I'm sure I would have regretted buying it. I'm glad I waited for the redesign and rented one and took it on a road trip to verify I liked it well enough before buying.

 

Sometimes the info needs to be treated like rubber necking at an accident. Just don't look. If you can't help yourself you can select a display mode that has nothing.

3PriusMike

 

Nobody has yet mentioned the pimp factor. Since it's a Prius the PF is low in any case, but it is nonetheless markedly more pronounced in the Gen 3 than 2 and if that's important to you you'll want the G3.

 

The Consumer Reports 2011 New Car Preview rates the

2010 Prius IV as having only an average driving position (blank circle)

I tend to agree as the added telescopic steering wheel only allows the wheel to come 1/2" closer to the driver than the 2nd Gen Prius wheel. Because of this, I cannot get a really good and comfortable grip on the steering wheel, and I'd have to slide forward or lean the setback forward which I'd rather not do. I might pass on this generation and buy something else next year. What a shame. Toyota must stop making these design flaws. Even a Civic steering wheel comes closer to driver than the Prius'. Proven by measurement.

I've called this finding into corporate customer service. It's not just an idle rant. As in previous generations, driver would appreciate having somewhat shorter legs, even in this new 3rd generation car. The room is there in the cabin, Toyota is just not making best use of it.