Review: 2010 Toyota Prius

The new 2010 Toyota Prius, with more horsepower, more cargo space, and more fuel economy, is better than ever—and all at an affordable price

By Thane Peterson

Editor's Rating:

The Good: Roomy cabin, low price, 50 mpg!

The Bad: No federal tax credits, plain cabin

The Bottom Line: The king of fuel economy gets even better

Reader Reviews

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Up Front

Toyota (TM) has done a masterful job of redesigning the Prius, the nation's top-selling hybrid vehicle since first coming out in 1997. The 2010 Prius, which is just now hitting dealer showrooms, is the first mainstream model to be rated at 50 miles per gallon (up from 46 mpg before), even though it's noticeably peppier than the previous version. The new Prius also is surprisingly spacious, with rear seats that verge on being downright roomy, which also fold down in a 60/40 pattern to create a big hauling space, and a 21.6 cu. ft. luggage area in back.

Even so, the 2010's base sticker price is just $21,750, (though the new, entry-level Prius I model at that price won't be available until September), which is $1,000 less than the cheapest '09 Prius. You can get a conventionally powered compact for cheaper, but it won't be roomy enough for most families. Factoring in fuel, insurance, repairs, and other costs over five years, Consumer Reports calculated in its April issue that the 2009 Prius offered the best overall value of any model on the market. Given its better fuel economy, I'd guess the 2010 Prius will earn the same distinction.

The 2010 Prius' powerplant consists of a 1.8-liter, 98-horsepower gasoline engine and two electric motors tied together by a planetary gearset that acts as a continuously variable transmission. Total horsepower is now 134, up from 110 before.

Until the new, entry-level model comes out, the Prius is available in four trim levels. The Prius II, which starts at $22,750, comes standard with keyless ignition, full-power accessories, cruise control, a six-speaker sound system, a tilting and telescoping steering wheel, and a hybrid display. The Prius III ($23,750) has all that plus Bluetooth capability and an upgraded sound system. The Prius IV ($26,550) adds leather upholstery, heated front seats, an auto-dimming mirror, and driver-adjustable lumbar support. The top-of-the-line Prius V ($28,020) adds 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, and LED headlights.

Toyota has also added some techie features to the Prius in three option packages. The $1,800 Navigation Package includes a navigation system, plus an upgraded, eight-speaker sound system, backup camera, and the possibility of adding real-time traffic alerts. The $3,600 Solar Roof Package includes the navigation system as well as a moonroof and a solar-powered system that cools the car when it's parked on hot days. The $4,500 Advanced Technology Package includes the navigation system, as well as a dynamic cruise-control system, lane departure alert, and Intelligent Parking Assist (which you may have seen in Lexus TV commercials—it more or less parallel-parks the car automatically).

The Prius is now rated to get 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway (up from the previous Prius' 48/45). That puts it well ahead of its main competitors, including Honda's (HMC) new Insight (41 city, 43 highway, and 41 on average); the Honda Civic Hybrid (40/45/42); the Ford (F) Fusion Hybrid (41/36/39); the Toyota Camry Hybrid (33/34/34); Nissan's (NSANY) Altima Hybrid (35/33/34); and Volkswagen's (VOWG) Jetta TDI diesel (29/40/33).

The government hasn't yet crash-tested the 2010 Prius, but the previous model had four- and five-star ratings in all categories.

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