2010 Toyota Prius Car Review

The third generation Toyota Prius comes at a time when buyers are being very cautious. This version of the hybrid is an extension of already proven technology. See what Bumper2Bumpertv liked and disliked about the Prius.

This is BUMPER 2 BUMPER TV Greg Morrison: At one time in the not too distant past, the Toyota Prius, a hybrid was the darling of environmentalist, who wanted clean cars with high fuel mileage, which in those days meant anything in the mid 30 mile per gallon range. Admittedly less than Stylus when introduced in 2000, it moved of into something a little larger by 2004, with better fuel economy claiming 43 miles to the gallon in city driving. Now there's the 2010 version introduced at the Detroit Auto Show. Bob Carter: Looks great does it? Not only is this the most fuel efficient mid-size in the segment, it is also the highest mileage car, sold in America. Greg Morrison: And that is what Toyota is trying to sell these days, a mid-size not a compact, that is green so to speak. So when we get a chance to put one to its paces in the Orlando area, a couple of things were immediately apparent. Driving in the typical American style of heavy footing it on an expressway, the new Prius delivered somewhat less than promised. And by the way, the horizontal read out instrumental panel in this car, can create a bit of information overload, but it can be modified to suit you taste. Now, back to the car, with the smaller and thus lighter battery in using one of the three available driving modes, the Prius can be no still long in city driving, to deliver fuel economy, even though its a 100 pounds heavier than the previous model. So how much difference will judicious driving deliver? Ed La Rocque: Now, the full range, we've got people that are on similar test drives, the journals have gotten quite bit more than the 50. And of course I think the EPA rating system has changed. Our sense of it is, we're going to be riding that 50 and we are confident that we're going to be able to get that and in real world driving, in all conditions 50 is going to be a good number. We think that it's an important number. Greg Morrison: With other manufacturers in the hybrid segment, Toyota have to come up with some engineering innovations for the Prius. For 2010, the rear roof line has been raised to create more interior space, however visibility through the rear window is hampered by stabilizing bar for the hatchback. The cargo compartment has also been expanded and four wheel disc brakes are now standard. The high end touring model offers an upgraded interior, a roof mounted solar panel that activates a fan to cool the interior, when parked under the hot sun, and for the first time a sunroof. With these and several other optional features Toyota is hoping to permanently move the Prius from being a niche car to a main stream consideration in the smaller, leaner auto world of the future. This is Greg Morrison. Male Speaker: We want to know what you think, so e-mail us. The address is bumper2bumpertv@cs.com