Review: 2010 Toyota Prius
#46
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I can attest to the horrible noise a Jetta TDI makes as the only time I heard one was when I heard one in a parking lot a while ago. I thought it was some old ratty pickup or really old Mercedes diesel on its last leg and was shocked when I saw it was a new Jetta, it sounded terrible and literally like sounding major was about to fail and it was about to break down. Actually the girl pulling out of the parking space kept braking and going real slow so maybe it was having engine trouble or something but there is no way you could pay me to drive a vehicle that sounded like that or was that unreliable brand new if it was breaking down already.
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#47
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Nice write up and review Mike.
I disagree about the sheet metal and "cheap" interior you guys are talking about though.
Sure the old Camry had a great interior - like 15 years ago. I remember those too and those days are long gone.
I thought it seemed alright for a Toyota these days.
However....
I was disappointed with the center console placement, it threw me off and seems like a waste of space.
Also for being a "revolutionary" technology car, there's still no iPod integration with the navigation. lol
I also don't think a leather option should be offered in a hybrid, I dunno, it seems wrong to me?
Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to look at the solar roof, I'm curious to see how that works.
Just my 2 cents.
I disagree about the sheet metal and "cheap" interior you guys are talking about though.
Sure the old Camry had a great interior - like 15 years ago. I remember those too and those days are long gone.
I thought it seemed alright for a Toyota these days.
However....
I was disappointed with the center console placement, it threw me off and seems like a waste of space.
Also for being a "revolutionary" technology car, there's still no iPod integration with the navigation. lol
I also don't think a leather option should be offered in a hybrid, I dunno, it seems wrong to me?
Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to look at the solar roof, I'm curious to see how that works.
Just my 2 cents.
#48
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Yes and no, Liz. The 2009 Prius seemed to have more-solid materials and higher build quality in those areas. The 2010, IMO, was a noticeable drop.....but some of that lightening of the materials may (?) have been done to save weight and help get that superb 51 MPG city rating.
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I disagree about the sheet metal and "cheap" interior you guys are talking about though.
Sure the old Camry had a great interior - like 15 years ago. I remember those too and those days are long gone.
I thought it seemed alright for a Toyota these days.
Sure the old Camry had a great interior - like 15 years ago. I remember those too and those days are long gone.
I thought it seemed alright for a Toyota these days.
Yes and no, Liz. The 2009 Prius seemed to have more-solid materials and higher build quality in those areas. The 2010, IMO, was a noticeable drop.....but some of that lightening of the materials may (?) have been done to save weight and help get that superb 51 MPG city rating.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-18-09 at 12:10 PM.
#49
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No. You're living in the past.....decades ago. State-of-the-art diesels, today, are virtually distinguishable from gas engines, in starting, running, pollution, and noise.
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I can attest to the horrible noise a Jetta TDI makes as the only time I heard one was when I heard one in a parking lot a while ago. I thought it was some old ratty pickup or really old Mercedes diesel on its last leg and was shocked when I saw it was a new Jetta, it sounded terrible and literally like sounding major was about to fail and it was about to break down. Actually the girl pulling out of the parking space kept braking and going real slow so maybe it was having engine trouble or something but there is no way you could pay me to drive a vehicle that sounded like that or was that unreliable brand new if it was breaking down already.
Someone may (?) have screwed up and put regular gasoline into it instead of diesel fuel. That will cause massive detonation/knocking with a diesel's 20-1 compression ratio and mess it up real quick.
Last edited by mmarshall; 06-18-09 at 12:17 PM.
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Mike, excellent detailed write-up and I agree with your observations!
I’m in a unique situation that I just had the opportunity to drive a rental 2008 Prius for the past month, and my mom just purchased a new 2010 Prius 2 weeks ago. She got the Prius III with the navigation package for $28k out the door. The best we got was $400 under MSRP.
One thing I noticed since I’ve driven both within days of each other, is that I did feel the 1.8L was a good improvement in power over the older engine. Merging onto highway traffic in the SF Bay Area, I used to have to floor the throttle to merge, and the old Prius really felt like a really slow car. The new one feels much better with more mid-range and top-end power, especially when using the ‘Power’ mode. I drove it all weekend in power mode and put about 200 miles on the car. I calculated about 42MPG, which is still excellent considering I was driving somewhat aggressive. I also felt the electric steering was more accurate.
I’m in a unique situation that I just had the opportunity to drive a rental 2008 Prius for the past month, and my mom just purchased a new 2010 Prius 2 weeks ago. She got the Prius III with the navigation package for $28k out the door. The best we got was $400 under MSRP.
One thing I noticed since I’ve driven both within days of each other, is that I did feel the 1.8L was a good improvement in power over the older engine. Merging onto highway traffic in the SF Bay Area, I used to have to floor the throttle to merge, and the old Prius really felt like a really slow car. The new one feels much better with more mid-range and top-end power, especially when using the ‘Power’ mode. I drove it all weekend in power mode and put about 200 miles on the car. I calculated about 42MPG, which is still excellent considering I was driving somewhat aggressive. I also felt the electric steering was more accurate.
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I’m in a unique situation that I just had the opportunity to drive a rental 2008 Prius for the past month, and my mom just purchased a new 2010 Prius 2 weeks ago. She got the Prius III with the navigation package for $28k out the door. The best we got was $400 under MSRP.
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One thing I noticed since I’ve driven both within days of each other, is that I did feel the 1.8L was a good improvement in power over the older engine. Merging onto highway traffic in the SF Bay Area, I used to have to floor the throttle to merge, and the old Prius really felt like a really slow car. The new one feels much better with more mid-range and top-end power, especially when using the ‘Power’ mode. I drove it all weekend in power mode and put about 200 miles on the car. I calculated about 42MPG, which is still excellent considering I was driving somewhat aggressive. I also felt the electric steering was more accurate.
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#55
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Thanks for the review mmarshall! Well said. I do have a few comments. I'm surprised that you found the V's handling to be worse than the 2G Prius. The Vs have different steering tunings to the models with 15" alloys. They have a quicker steering ratio and a 2.75 lock-to-lock (compared to 3.75 for the 15" model). They will all switch to the faster setting if you get yours in the Fall.
Also, you didn't mention the options in your $32k model. I don't think any other $32k vehicle can be equipped with this much technology.
I agree with the heated seats placement. Also a little miffed that it's still single stage heating.
Also, you didn't mention the options in your $32k model. I don't think any other $32k vehicle can be equipped with this much technology.
I agree with the heated seats placement. Also a little miffed that it's still single stage heating.
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Unfortunately I haven't had a chance to look at the solar roof, I'm curious to see how that works.
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I didn't necessarily find the handling worse than the 2G model....in fact, the 3G model did have less body roll. With the lower-profile tires and new suspension on the 3G model, I just expected a little more steering response, even with the 2.75 lock-to-lock you mention, and a slightly firmer ride than it actually had, that's all. It surprised me.
I did mention the options under the base price, as I usually do in reviews. It had the $4500 Technology Package, plus, of course, all the standard equipment that comes on the Prius V Trim level.
Of course, unlike many Subarus and some AWD Volvos/Audis, the Prius is not primarily designed as a winter car, so they probably didn't design the heated seats for Arctic conditions. That big hole under the console is probably (?) there to save weight, and I agree....that is a lousy place to put the heated seat switches. Worse, the two switches are mounted fore/aft instead of left/right as you would normally expect for heated seats.
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I do have a few comments. I'm surprised that you found the V's handling to be worse than the 2G Prius. The Vs have different steering tunings to the models with 15" alloys. They have a quicker steering ratio and a 2.75 lock-to-lock (compared to 3.75 for the 15" model). They will all switch to the faster setting if you get yours in the Fall.
Also, you didn't mention the options in your $32k model. I don't think any other $32k vehicle can be equipped with this much technology.
I agree with the heated seats placement. Also a little miffed that it's still single stage heating.
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I went to test drive the Prius at a smaller dealership. All were sold in 24 hours, they had none on the lot and their next 4 months allocation are spoken for. Amazing.
The Venza is nice though.
I went to Honda to drive a ugly *** Insight (its uglier in person) but it started raining, I guess God didn't want me to drive it
The Venza is nice though.
I went to Honda to drive a ugly *** Insight (its uglier in person) but it started raining, I guess God didn't want me to drive it
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#59
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Thanks for the review mmarshall! Well said. I do have a few comments. I'm surprised that you found the V's handling to be worse than the 2G Prius. The Vs have different steering tunings to the models with 15" alloys. They have a quicker steering ratio and a 2.75 lock-to-lock (compared to 3.75 for the 15" model). They will all switch to the faster setting if you get yours in the Fall.
how many miles on your 05? any issues ay all???
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I went to Honda to drive a ugly *** Insight (its uglier in person) but it started raining, I guess God didn't want me to drive it
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