Her and His Reviews
January 31, 2010
2010 Toyota Prius
There are always two sides to everything, right? Well, the truth is there are many more than that!
To keep our car reviews innovative and well-rounded, we are providing you with not just one, but two points of view on the same exact vehicle –
Her and His perspectives.
Her: Anne Fleming, Car Buying Advocate,women-drivers.com
His: Chuck Kerber, Writer, AutomobileJournal.com
| Anne | Chuck |
|---|---|
| Price | |
| MSRP:$23,000.00 as tested price | MSRP:MSRP $23,000.00 |
| Performance | |
|
The Prius II Hybrid is quite the car. Not known for its power or get up and go, the car is about energy efficiency, quality and the long haul
1.8 Liter Dual Overhead Cam 16 Valve VVTI; 4-Cylinder Engine, with 98 Horsepower Acceleration is tricky. Press the pedal and then press again as takes some time to get the pressure worked out to get the 'right' amount of acceleration needed Responsiveness is quick and delightful in this hatchback |
Hybrid Synergy Drive System; 1.8 Liter Dual Overhead Cam 16 Valve VVTI; 4-Cylinder Engine, Producing 98 Horsepower
Firstly, this isn't a performance-oriented vehicle; it's designed primarily to get optimum fuel efficiency. That being said, acceleration in the new Prius is underwhelming (98 horsepower). If you're looking for a car that will get you there fast, the Prius isn't for you. However, if you're interested in a smooth, relaxing driving experience, it's quite nice. Most impressive is the lack of engine and road noise. Handling is good, and actually a bit sporty. The turning radius is tight, making 3-point turns and parallel parking a snap. |
| Fuel Economy | |
| 51 city miles; 48 highway miles; annual fuel est. $570 | City 51 MPG; Highway 48 MPG Gotta love it! |
| The Car | |
|
Buyers are smart and Toyota appreciates that. No one is buying the Prius II because of its sex or muscle appeal. Hand it to Toyota for taking the lead earlier this decade and being the singular OEM leader in energy efficient, marketable hybrids as an estimated 500,000 Prius' were sold in 2009 in the US
A great hybrid that is sensibly styled and priced On road responsiveness is very good and feels almost sporty Easy to handle, park and get around Comfortable seats and easily adjustable (manual) Good organization and ditties for drinks and cups 60/40 split fold-down rear seats-flush would be best Rear pull down bench with cup holders for two rear passengers use Good trunk space with cargo net for families' necessities |
The Prius is very straightforward inside. The dash is in the center of the console, instead of the left-hand side. All of the information is displayed via an electronic multi-information center. The display also lets the driver know what the hybrid/combustion ratio is....easily understandable.
The seats are comfy, and have adequate, but not extra lumbar support. The windows are large, which makes visibility better than average. There is a split window in the trunk-hatch for added detection of obstacles when backing up; nice job Toyota. |
| Safety | |
|
ABS and Brake Assist
Driver and Front Passenger Airbags and side curtain airbags; along with active Headrests 3-Point seatbelts and 3 headrests in backseat |
Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control with ABS and Brake Assist
Passive Advanced Air Bag System, with Driver and Front Passenger Active Headrests 3-Point Seatbelts Tire pressure Monitoring System |
| Technology | |
|
AM/FM CD MP3 Player with 6-Speakers for good sound
Aux. Jack, and Satellite Radio Compatibility Driver Door and Smart key System Remote Keyless Entry and Push-Button Start Eco-Power Modes with Touch Tracer Display Telescoping steering wheel w/controls Upgrade to Solar Roof with embedded solar panels which assist in ventilating the cabin's air temperature |
Eco-Power Modes with Touch Tracer Display
AM/FM CD MP3 Player with 6-Speakers, Aux. Jack, and Satellite Radio Compatibility Driver Door and Smart key System Remote Keyless Entry and Push-Button Start |
| Aesthetics & Styling | |
|
Aerodynamic exterior and updated; not so Flinstonian
Driver viewing is clear in front, sides (love the cut away window look) and out the rear window Interior is design and color treatment is simple and clean. Not fancy, and definitely understandable |
The new Prius looks a bit like a space capsule. Its aerodynamic design is visually appealing, and permeates a modern-yet-current design.
The interior of the car is unfussy. The controls are easy to reach and understand. |
| Warranty | |
| Basic: 3 years, 36,000 miles; Drive-train: 5 years, 60,000 miles | Basic: 3 years, 36,000 miles. Drive-train:5 years, 60,000 miles |
| Non-tangibles / Other | |
| Assembled in Japan | This is the third generation Toyota Prius. The first generation Prius was close to perfect, so it's safe to say that the Toyota engineers have gotten everything as close to perfection this time around. In my opinion, if you're looking for a Hybrid, you will not find a better car than the 2010 Toyota Prius. |
