2010 Toyota Prius
* Reviewed by:
Wayne Cunningham
* Reviewed on: 07/07/2009
After the success of its predecessor, the advent of the 2010 Toyota
Prius created a lot of expectations. But instead of incorporating
sought-after features such as a lithium ion battery pack or plug-in
capability, Toyota opted for incremental changes, tweaking the power
train to get more power and better fuel economy.
On the cabin tech side, we expected big advances, as competitors have
stepped up the game with such options as external data sources, which
provide useful location information, and better compatibility with
electronic devices. In this area, the 2010 Prius takes a few steps
forward, but not as many as we hoped.
The new Prius model can be had in four trim levels, which Toyota dubs
II, III, IV, and V, apparently preferring simple Roman numerals to
arcane combinations of S, E, and L. Our test model was the Prius IV,
which included navigation, upgraded JBL audio system, Bluetooth phone
system, a back-up camera, and, most interestingly, the solar-roof
option.
The good: Getting around 50 mpg on average, the 2010 Toyota Prius is a
stellar car for fuel economy, and you can choose accelerator
sensitivity. Traffic reports are integrated with the navigation system.
The bad: The Prius isn't designed for handling. There isn't full
iPod or USB drive integration for the stereo. The DVD-based navigation
system reacts slowly.
The bottom line: The 2010 Toyota Prius is a better car than its
predecessor, although there are some areas, especially in the cabin,
where we would have liked to see more improvement.
Specifications: Body style: Sedan ; Available Engine: Hybrid See full specs
CNET editors' review
Circulated by Antelope valley auto
