2010 Toyota Prius
Manufacturer: Toyota Part number: 101136093
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Accessories
- Manufacturer info
- 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.
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CNET editors' review
2010 Toyota Prius price range: $27,270.00
- Reviewed by: Wayne Cunningham
- Reviewed on: 07/07/2009
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.
User reviews
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2010 Prius is a hybrid most people can enjoy
by kev_theobald on June 21, 2009
Pros: High MPG, Very Roomy inside, no engine belt to replace, quiet, tons of options, solar vent system, lots of safety features, much improve styling over the 2009, sonar cruise control, really nice JBL stereo system upgrade, different engine modes
Cons: Can't get the nice rims from rims off the Prius V onto an other level of Prius, the heated seats buttons are in a odd spot, the plastic dash material shows finger prints, the self park system is not ready for most situations,
Summary: I drove an Insight and each one of the 2010 Prius levels and I find the Insight feels like a classic cramped econo car, while the Prius feels like a ...
Summary: I drove an Insight and each one of the 2010 Prius levels and I find the Insight feels like a classic cramped econo car, while the Prius feels like a nice mid-size sedan. The Honda Insight maybe a couple of grand cheaper, but the driving experience feels cheaper. If you drive the Insight in Eco mode, the AC cooling stops when your vehicle is not in motion. If you are stop and go traffic or at a stop light, you can feel the air getting warmer the longer you sit. I did not have the issue in the Prius. The back seats are cramped in the Insight, interior noise is higher, and the ride is on the stiffer side. The Prius feels roomy and it is a very quiet ride. It gives a feeling of being a solid built car.
1 star for something you have no crash test data on. That seems like overkill. Toyota is a conservative company and not likely to put something into their designthat would make the car less safe then the previous version. I would wait to see what the different major crash testing data shows before passing judgement.
There is engine belt to replace or power steering fluid to worry about. I like how the full electric mode last until 25 mph.
The self parking option is a feature for those who want the latest bells and whistles, but for most people I doubt it will have much value. The "lane keep assist" seems to work very well. You just have to get use to the car moving the steering wheel from time to time.
I love the rims on the Prius V, it is a mistake not to offer those on all Prius trim levels.
The Solar Vent system runs when the vehicle is parked. It keeps the interior cooler when you are away and will allow you to run the AC for up to three minutes before getting into the vehicle. Very cool feature, but it costs a pretty penny because it is packaged with the navigation/JBL upgraded stereo.
The touch tracer buttons on the steering wheel is one of those simple ideas that I wish every automotive company would use. It is just one of the many touches that makes you feel like Toyota really thought through the vehicle.
I am not sure who thought of putting the heated seats buttons in such an odd place and why do not they not have a USB connection for the an iPod or other devices is beyond me. I want to be able to control my iPod via the vehicle I am driving.
I think it is great that Toyota does offer a simple Prius for those who just want the basic while offering a ton features for those willing to shell out the cash. The Insight does not have leather seats or much tech beyond a navigation system.
I noticed if you don't want to pay for the upgraded stereo system found in a Prius III to get the bluetooth handsfree option, you can get a Prius II and have a stand alone bluetooth option installed by the dealer for a few hundred.
In my opinion, if you are looking at an Insight, go drive a Prius. It maybe a couple of grand more, but it feels like a much better vehicle. If you are going to be stuck with a car for many years, you will enjoy being stuck with a Prius much more than an Insight.
Updated on Jul 15, 20098 out of 10 users found this user opinion helpful.
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51 MPG, and Drive better than 2009
by 999johan on August 3, 2009
Pros: Consistent 50 MPG. Handling, ride show major improvement over the poor generation 2.
Cons: Dashboard tracer display is worthless. Only tells you that you which function of the dashboard (on steering wheel) you selected rather than the levels (fan, volume, temperature, etc.) EVO mode worthless.
Summary: Generation 3 now uses the Corolla/Matrix chasis which is stiffer, translating to much more solid handling. The electric steering assist has been lessened, making for much better road feel. ...
Summary: Generation 3 now uses the Corolla/Matrix chasis which is stiffer, translating to much more solid handling. The electric steering assist has been lessened, making for much better road feel. Rear visibilty is slightly improved. Power ain't bad really, but if you lend it to someone, tell them about the ECO mode accelerator dampening before they pull out in traffic. Four tanks and I'm getting over 50 every time, whether city or highway. Holds two bicycles inside, too.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Love our 2010 Pruis
by oldgrad on July 11, 2009
Pros: Actually got 58.8 mpg - ave. speed 65 mph. Almost always get over 53 and even on freeway at 75 over MT-ID passes still averaged 50.9
Cons: No cons at this time!
Summary: The gas mileage is wonderful. Don't understand the comments on handling. We think it does a great job on corners - because we have not owned it through a ...
Summary: The gas mileage is wonderful. Don't understand the comments on handling. We think it does a great job on corners - because we have not owned it through a winter season we don't know about slick roads. We have now driven the car 5000 miles through all kinds of terrain - It will overtake anyone going up steep grades. Can't say as we use the ECO and or PWR buttons, we have tried them, but haven't seen that they make any difference. The GPS works good - I say who cares that the buttons for the seat warmers are not right is plain sight, they are easily reach and of course the weather is warm so have had no need to use them so far. The car has plenty of room for what we need. It fits the big man well. Really like the adjustable driver seat as I am not a very big person and most cars don't fit me, but with the adjustable seat can be adjusted to the just for me position. We have been driving toyota's for 15 years and have had great service with low maintenance from all of them and we are expecting that the Pruis will be even better. Sad to say we drove GM cars up until that time (1960 - 1994), but when our last GM started giving us trouble in less than 50,000 miles, we switched to toyota and never looked back.
4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Prius hands me $120/mo in cash compared to Camry
by Krem1in on April 17, 2010
Pros: Gas mileage, cool tech features, makes me smile all the time. I feel great driving this car.
Cons: Being a Camry owner for 20 years I'm used to a plush, comfortable ride. 2010 Prius is much better than its '09 predecessor in ride quality, butmuch choppier than Camry (new or old). Not awful. I would say - average choppiness for most average cars.
Summary: Mixed feelings. I do not think I will ever go back to a regular (non-hybrid) car again. Trade-offs: -- ride quality compared to better cars. But it is such a ...
Summary: Mixed feelings. I do not think I will ever go back to a regular (non-hybrid) car again. Trade-offs: -- ride quality compared to better cars. But it is such a pleasure to see when you are driving on a highway on a small decline that you are not using a drip of gas! :) :) I do miss Camry's seats, Camry quietness on a highway. I am very happy that I go to the gas station less frequently and spend $25 instead of $45 with Camry.
3 out of 3 users found this user opinion helpful.
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An improved but expensive hybrid
by Jon Shimamoto on July 8, 2009
Pros: Looks a lot better than the older dated Prius. Very quiet, smooth ride. Roomy interior. At highway speeds the bigger engine is quieter. Can now maintain speeds on hills.
Cons: Still too expensive. Really slow in ECO mode, bearable in Power mode. Air conditioning is mediocre. Handling while better, is poor, steering feel is awful. The 15" wheels and tires, should be replaced with 16" or 17" wheels as standard.
Summary: The new Prius is an evolutionary upgrade to the earlier model. While there are a lot of improvements, it just does not seem far reaching enough.
The bigger 1.8 ...Summary: The new Prius is an evolutionary upgrade to the earlier model. While there are a lot of improvements, it just does not seem far reaching enough.
A Car that does what it's designed for...
The bigger 1.8 liter engine runs quieter at speed because it runs at lower RPMs compared to the previous 1.5 liter. I wish there was a better improvement in acceleration, as the 2010 is almost as slow as the earlier model. ECO mode is painfully slow, Power mode feels a lot crisper, like a normal Corolla. The 1.8 liter engine is very quiet at speed unless hard pressed, but even then, it is quieter than most other 4-cylinder cars. I live up in the hills which is about a four mile drive. I can average only 42MPG because of the long steep slope which forces me to use Power mode (my previous car, a 2003 Passat GLX with a 2.8 liter V6 averaged 27MPG if the a/c was off, 23MPG on).
The car suffers from a lot of lean (needs bigger stabilizer bars) when cornering and the stability control is very aggressive, preventing quick handling changes. The steering feel is non-existent. You have no sensation of where the car is going while turning the wheel. The slow turning of 4.4 turns from lock to lock is an exercise compared to the the Prius V's 3.3.
The interior is a bit nicer, but the center console takes too much room. The dash display is easily washed out when the sun is overhead. I wish the car had a dash that was in front of the driver iso in the center. The nav display is useless when you wear polarized sunglasses. The air conditioner is mediocre, takes awhile to cool down the car, even when in Power mode (ECO mode reduces the a/c's power). The new seats are a lot more comfortable than the earlier models but still not perfect. I wish Toyota would use handbrakes iso footbrakes on the car.
The headlights now use halogen projector beams which are quite bright. I don't know how much better the LED headlights would be. The new body design retains the familiar Prius shape but is different enough to be recognized. The body crease improves the looks a lot. The front end is a lot cleaner looking. The back end is much like the older style. I did notice that the rear plastic spoiler looks cheaply implemented as it is very flexible and looks like it will break off the car if slammed hard.
I would have preferred that the Prius give up some gas mileage if there was a bit more power for acceleration. 0-60 in 8.5 seconds would have been ideal iso 10 seconds.
My Prius IV was $30,000 out the door with the NAV package as the only option. That's very expensive for a small car. The Camry Hybrid was only $500 more, with a lot more room and better acceleration, but the large 2.4 liter 4-cylinder engine was very rough running. I could also get a Camry SE for $28,000 fully loaded with a regular V6.
Right now, the 2010 Prius has a 90-120 day wait in Hawaii. If you want one with the solar sunroof, it would be a 180 day wait.
Overall, the Prius would be a no-brainer if I did not have to contend with the long hill home. But prospective buyers ought to drive it home to see if the lack of power is something you can live with.
Updated on Aug 31, 2009
The 2010 Prius (model IV) is not a driver's car... It is designed as a economical transportation vehicle. Once you get that into your head and accept it, you will love the car...
Pros...
The car has adequate power for normal driving situations, but one cannot expect it to be a sporty car with only 134hp, once you are moving, acceleration is not bad. The car is very roomy, entry and egress is very good compared to the Honda Insight. The JBL sound system is very clear with a well balanced sound. Excellent gas mileage, getting 47MPG, driving mostly in hilly highway areas. Smooth and quiet ride.
Cons...
Seats are uncomfortable on long drives, expect backaches. Test car on long drives to see if that is the case for you. Lumbar support on IV & V is of some help but not a cure all. Auto-dimming mirror is useless. You really need the NAV package to get decent view when reversing. NAV screen is useless when wearing sunglasses.3 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Redesigned Braking Systems!
by ganderc on April 7, 2009
Pros: Hopefully the 2010 will have a lower rate of low-speed brake failures than the 2004-2009 Prius.
Cons: There is nothing I don't like about the 2010 Prius.
Summary: I read that they redesigned the braking systems for the 2010 Prius. That appears to be Toyota's response to the fact that the U.S. Generation 2 Prius (2004-2009) ...
Summary: I read that they redesigned the braking systems for the 2010 Prius. That appears to be Toyota's response to the fact that the U.S. Generation 2 Prius (2004-2009) has had low-speed brake failures reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) at 31 times the rate of such failures reported for the 2004-2009 Corolla, which of course has traditional brakes. Many of the Prius low speed brake failures were in low-speed city traffic, resulting in rear-end collisions without injury. It appears that the several computers that control the complex braking systems were too busy calculating the most efficient way to apply the brakes, and did not get around to actually applying them, until it was too late. Toyota never took responsibility for the problem, but the 2010 redesign indicates they were aware of it. Unfortunately, the NHTSA never initiated an investigation despite the extremely high rate of failures. The detailed failure reports ("complaints") are available to the public on the NHTSA website. The details are these: To April 2009, 2004-2009 Prius has received 44 complaints of low speed brake failure. 2004-2009 Corolla has received 7 complaints of such failures. Given that at least five times more Corollas than Prius were sold during 2004-2009, 44/(7/5) = 31 times the rate of brake failure for the Generation 2 Prius.
7 out of 14 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Prius 2010 IV High MPG, nice features, but pricey!
by rsdavis12 on May 18, 2010
Pros: Car body style. Comfortable heated leather seats Averaging 51.8 mpg even at high speeds. Room for 6'4" person. Sun/Moon roof nice addition. Backup camera. Oil change every 10K vs 5K miles.EV Mode. Very quiet. Aerodynamic design. IPOD/USB connect.
Cons: Satellite radio signal drops out frequently,Nav system locks out entry of destination while driving.,Passenger can not put new route destination in. Solar roof better for charging small personal devices than cabin air flow,Plastic wheel covers. Cost!
Summary: Overall I am impressed with the car. Feels and looks like nice sedan. 50+ MPG even with driving highway and city, GREAT! Some things I have noted however are:
NAV/...Summary: Overall I am impressed with the car. Feels and looks like nice sedan. 50+ MPG even with driving highway and city, GREAT! Some things I have noted however are:
NAV/Sound System:
Toyota needs to get JBL to fix satellite tuner drop outs when travelling on roads with alot of trees/mountains. I have another car with XM radio in it and no dropouts in same place where Pruis has dropouts. Should be able to override NAV display so a passenger can enter destinations while driving. Satellite radio display of song info is only 12 chars or something when it could fill alot more on the display.
Solar Roof:
Solar roof should be designed to put the 54 watts to better use than cabin air flow fan.
Interior Design:
Interior glove box easily scratches and fails to shut correctly. Already had it changed out under warranty ($633 if you can believe that) since it would not shut flush. Backup beeper annoying but can disable it. Add 12 VDC power port in trunk of vehicle.
360 degree View:
Tailgate window spoiler I would just remove in next model. View is not impeded that bad but spoiler breaks it up and is unnnecessary. Otherwise view outside of car is great.
Engine:
Cruise control disengagement via pressing brake is hard to press but can disengate with cruise control on steering wheel.
Wheels:
15" wheels with plastic wheel covers on a Prius Model IV is pretty pathetic. Should be option for 17" wheels on Prius V for Prius IV owners.
Exterior:
Toyota needs to include 3M film paint protection or something on hood of vehicle. The hood is slanted to such a high degree for optimum aerodynamics that bugs/rocks hit it all the time damaging your paint.2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Top of the line hybrid
by cperry70 on March 11, 2010
Pros: Awesome fuel efficiecy, great JBL sound system, cool techie amenities.
Cons: Wheels on Prius III not as nice as ones on Prius V.
Summary: I?ve owed my new Prius III for about a month and a half, and I absolutely love this car. I?ve owed 3 Subaru?s (one STI) and 2 ...
Summary: I?ve owed my new Prius III for about a month and a half, and I absolutely love this car. I?ve owed 3 Subaru?s (one STI) and 2 Hondas, and the build quality of this Toyota is on par with those automakers. I?ve driven the former generation Prius and my impression of the 2010 is that it actually feels like you?re driving a normal car as opposed to something less than a car. The 2010 Prius has a serious techie vibe to it, from the joystick-like shift lever to the center-dash mounted HUD with touch tracer visuals from the steering wheel inputs. I recommend NOT driving in the ECO mode. For me, ECO mode caused me to press harder on the accelerator to get the car moving, which, of course, decreases your gas mileage. (I?ve gotta move in NYC traffic!) I drive my Prius III without really using the special driving modes, but I occasionally put it in Power mode if I want to drive a little more aggressively. I average between 50 - 55 mpg city and highway. If you?re new to hybrid driving, you may have to learn to take it easy and adjust your driving style if you tend to be a ?jack rabbit? from stop lights, like to pass a lot on the highway, or tend to be hard on the brakes. Driving a Prius correctly is more of a gradual-go, gradual stop driving experience. I find driving the Prius to maximize my MPG to be a pleasant little daily challenge!
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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The antonym of a sports car: and that's good!
by Uhjoebilly on November 30, 2009
Pros: To be redundant, fuel economy and technology.
Roomy interior - even for me being 6'4", I sit comfortably in the back seat with the front seats pushed back
As a matter of personal taste, I love the design: It's what made me look at it at first.Cons: No get up and go, but conservative drivers (like me) will find it works just fine. I can still accelerate and pass uphill.
I do not especially like the way the interior controls are laid out, and the HUD looks like a video game.Summary: While I was skeptical of hybrids when first looking for a new car, I saw the design and asked more about it. I then decided to test drive it for ...
Summary: While I was skeptical of hybrids when first looking for a new car, I saw the design and asked more about it. I then decided to test drive it for fun. The silence was eerie, that first time, but since then I've learned to appreciate it. Not only does it serve as a way to conserve fuel, but it's nice not to have as much noise.
And as an addition, there is iPod support. It's under the console/armrest in the back. It's rather hard to see, but the dealer pointed it out to me.
I was also looking at the Honda Accord, the Insight, the VW Jetta TDI, and the Toyota Camry.
Updated on Nov 30, 20092 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Incredible Vehicle.
by sxydrivinginstructor on August 18, 2010
Pros: Pro: Backup camera, fuel consumption, beautiful interior, great options, looks aight.
Cons: Rear view visibility is compromised.
Location of Aux input questionable.Summary: Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 4
Exterior: 5
Interior: 5
Overall: 4
Review Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
What do you like about 2010 Toyota Prius?
Before I start, let ...Summary: Consumer Ratings:
Performance: 4
Exterior: 5
Interior: 5
Overall: 4
Review Guide: 5=Perfect; 3=Good; 1=Poor
What do you like about 2010 Toyota Prius?
Before I start, let me mention i'm a driving instructor and i plan to drive this car until it shrivels up and dies. Bought a 2010 premium pckg last week.
Beautiful interior. People that have never been in a Prius are always blown away with the center dash and the look of the interior. My girlfriend's first words about it were, "I feel like i'm in a spaceship". She's a little out there Smile ... but you get the point...
I don't understand the reviews from people complaining about gas mileage not as advertised. I bought it last week and so far i've been getting 4.4L/100km (53.46MPG).
This car is supposed to be idiot proof in terms of improving gas mileage. Put that mutha in eco mode at all times. If you need to floor it, it will still get up and go. Ie) Yesterday I floored it to overtake slower vehicles and make it onto an entrance ramp, boom no problem. I used to drive an 02 benz c240 so i know get up and go.
(There are several gauges to help you reach your desired fuel levels. Learn to read them and then use them. If you are still getting high mileage, take that mofo in to your dealership and complain cuz something is wrong.)
Rear view camera is awesome. Helps line you up perfectly in your spot. Although my students aren't allowed to use it... cheating...
JBL audio sounds great. Blasted that mofo way up, and the sound was still crystal clear. I'm a music lover, i paid 300.00$ for bose headphones so quality matters to me.
Quietest thing in the world as well. Sometimes it gets so quiet in the car, you can hear people having conversations in other cars. Like look at that driving instructor, he's $%^&* hot!
How would you improve 2010 Toyota Prius?
Auxiliary output placement is questionable.
Rear view is compromised. Rear view camera helps, but really, lets make the rear visibility a non-issue.
No other complaint yet, mind you it's been a week. I'll write another review when I reach 140,000km!
2010 Toyota Prius Review:
Great car so far. Spent countless hours, really countless, if you had a timer with me, with the amount of articles, dealerships, reviews, i've read... the counter would blow up and kill your dog.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Toyota
- Part number: 101136093
- 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.
Basic car properties
- Body style Sedan
- Available Engine Hybrid
Safety Features
- Smart airbags Standard
- Antilock brakes Standard
- Traction control Standard
- Stability control Standard
- Back-up cameras Standard
- Roadside assistance Standard
- Adaptive cruise control Standard
Entertainment
- Satellite radio Standard
- Connection for portable MP3 sound system Standard
- MP3 CD-enabled sound system Standard
- Media hard-disk MP3 sound system Standard
Climate/convenience
- Heated/cooled seats Standard
- Keyless start Standard
- Two-way security system Standard
- 12V power outlet Standard
Drivetrain Technology
- Drivetrain available Front-drive
Navigation
- Trip computer Standard
- Voice activated navigation Standard
Communication
- Bluetooth phone interface Standard
Accessories
- Alpine CDE 102 (33526693)59.61 - 149.99
- Atrend 10" Dual Sealed Subwoofer Enclosure for 1996-2002 Dodge Ram Extended Cab Trucks, Charcoal (33411291)119.95
- AudioBahn High Excursion AW1000V - car subwoofer driver (31966540)119.95
- Alpine MRP F300 - amplifier (32855869)139.95 - 199.99
- Alpine X-Power MRX-M50 - amplifier (34639690)144.00 - 190.00
- BOSS CHAOS EXXTREME CX1800 - amplifier (33604912)159.99 - 189.99
- Alpine CDE 125BT - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (34462854)167.00
- Alpine CDE 133BT - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (35085201)144.95 - 159.99
- Alpine CDE 135BT - radio / CD / MP3 player / digital player (35175870)150.00 - 189.99
- Alpine Type-S SPS-406 - car speaker (32906748)50.75 - 79.99
- Alpine Type-S SPS-510 - car speaker (34640909)54.99 - 89.99
- Alpine Type-S SPS-610 - car speaker (34640915)26.99 - 99.99
- Garmin Nuvi 2460 LMT (34468460)107.00 - 237.32
- Garmin Nuvi 1490T (33639231)159.95 - 299.99
- TomTom GO 2505 TM (34207716)180.36 - 319.99
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Toyota products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Toyota
- Phone: 1-800-GO TOYOTA


