Car test: 2010 Toyota Prius
Long Term Test: 7,000 miles
Car from: cars4u.com
Conclusion: third-generation hybrid drives, such as the sporty luxury five-door, delivering 50 mpg in the real world.
PROS:
- 50 mpg (3.8 liters per 100 km in Canada) in the real world
- Solid handling of real cars with sports aspirations (for Toyota)
- Small car exterior, midsize interior
- Understated luxury because only Toyota can drive
- Significantly improved ergonomics and tools
- Smooth design with the best combination of resistance of any production car
- Quiet ride
- Harmless transition from electric to hybrid
MINUSES:
- Slightly less legroom versus 2009
- Depending on your point of view, the CSV program (this reviewer loved his responsiveness)
- Price, although it is a good value for the whole package.
Toyota owns a hybrid market, although Honda was technically the first. With the number of Prius models on the road, surpassing many non-hybrid competitors, Toyota can claim the title of a hybrid "owner". His past generation has shrunk: a fancy design (part of his mysticism), insufficient transmission and awkwardness of the transition.
It all changes with the new Prius. Retaining the best-in-class mileage ratings, even compared to other hybrid Toyota models, and some of the captions, the third-generation Prius 2010 went mainstream to attract millions more to the brand. They currently manage approximately 20,000 units sold per month in the United States. The only real disadvantage of the Prius is its price, but in the hybrid category it is competitive. Sometimes buyers sometimes stumble, comparing a Prius (or any hybrid) to an economy with four fireworks a few thousand dollars less.
Abraham Blinic, operations manager at cars4u.com, convinced me to revise the car. “We sell and rent a lot of cars,” Blikin said. “This is the car that I like so much, I bought it myself.
Apples in oranges
With a purely economic comparison, the Prius can never benefit from a four-cylinder model of the economy from any manufacturer. This does not mean. One drive in the Prius shows why. In the long run, the survivability of the Prius becomes apparent, compared to a small, economical car with comparable (but lower) fuel economy. Prius is bigger, much more convenient, fun to ride - for many - the perfect balance of luxury, compactness, technology, sportiness, economy and price. It is finally a real midsize car.
Certain Lexus features abound in features such as auxiliary park and backup cameras. Even standard equipment is above average for the price.
Sticker Shock?
Not really. For the level of equipment, even without hybrid technology, this car will feel relatively price. The problem is that there is no really beaten version that makes this car an “entry level” that comes in the states at $ 23,500. At these prices, Toyota will still have a bestseller, planning to sell 100,000 in America during 2009 and 180,000 next year. They aim to exceed these numbers.
Long term test
Before drilling economics, productivity, planting and finishing, I will start with a long-term perspective. A short-term test will not always detect defects. A long-term test always shows the true character of the car, for better or for worse.
Miles Per Gallon
After 7,000 miles, mileage remained in real terms in the range of 50 miles per gallon (US gallons), even with aggressive driving mixed with. Feather pedal (I think, hypermilling), it can improve by as much as 20 percent. Without a doubt, these are the most efficient cars on the road, even slightly superior to the previous generation Prius models. I regularly ran 600 miles for each tank, which is filled, on average, about 30 dollars.
Performance
Even if you press the “Saving” button on the center console to get a true assessment of its viability — when you need power, a quick push of the accelerator pedal “push back on the seat”, a 0-60 mph Sprint won't do the garage is 9.8 seconds long, but the passing power is quite exciting, and the power is very smooth. The electric motor provides instant torque, which makes the car very responsive.
The total power of the combined drive, working in conjunction with electricity and gas, is 134 hp. For a long time the car never lost its charming charm, always feeling ready to go through a slow trick, which is ironic, considering that the Prius is known as a “slow car”. The speed with which the digital speedometer rises can cause you problems with a road patrol if you do not alert. The car is very quiet at all speeds, a bit noisy on the rise with a full throttle, which makes the use of cruise control very important to avoid tickets. In combination with the stability of the suspension you do not feel that so quickly.
appeal
The third generation Prius is a new platform and has sporting aspirations. This is not a sports car, but turns are flat, even on the sharpest, sharp corners, and the new electric steering gives a pleasant feeling of the road. This is not like any other Toyota on the road, although it is closest to the Matrix. Non-slip can not be defeated for sports slides, so be satisfied with stable, flat angles.
I intensely tested the car in early 2009, as well as on winding dirt roads. The car remains stuck to the road, even in slippery conditions, and away from a slight jolt on heavy dips (realizing a sports suspension), this is a comfortable ride along country roads.
braking
Braking is no less important than acceleration. The 2010 Prius brakes without a nose dive, it is clamped tightly, and the ABS slip control is only slightly obtrusive. This is a good package and it feels safe.
Of course, a unique feature of the Prius is that massive batteries are charged by braking and also covered. When the cruise control is on, the engine automatically brakes the engine to maintain crawling speed when using overrun to recharge batteries.
comfort
After 7000 miles, my impressions remain the same: the Prius is comfortable, firm and quiet. This is a good place to spend long hours on the highway, with fine stereo-cranked, beautifully relaxed seats and a right-hand steering wheel. Ergonomics is excellence, all within easy reach, and many controls on the steering wheel. The rear seats are equally comfortable, and the cargo space is improved compared to previous generations.
Dash and instruments are pleasant even in bright sunlight. Despite the fact that it is digital, it is an improved bright display, while meaningful information is easily visible. I am not a fan of displays with a central display for a speedometer, but Toyota has placed it in the correct position to keep it in the right direction. With a low seat position and indicator position indicator you can see the readings without looking down or away from the road.
Our tester model did not have auxiliary means for maintaining a lane, parking assistant or distance. However, we had a sports package with 17-inch wheels, excellent tires and nice touches.
Design and finish
After 7,000 miles, everything remained tense and similar to Toyota. Definitely choose a tanning interior. Gray is a deadly gray Toyota and too soft for a long life. The number of storage compartments is higher than usual: two boxes for gloves, a storage tray under the center console, a warehouse for keeping hands and secret trunk compartments in the rear of the rear. With seats folded flat, the vault is impressive. Our tester had a leather interior, and its finish was dense and Lexus-quality.
Initial walk around
When our reviewers first saw the Prius sitting in our parking lot, brilliant white with sporty wheels, a certain “aha” factor was identified. The car just looks better than in the photos. The aha factor continues when the hood is pushed out for inspection.
Sitting in our tan and gray domestic dough, he immediately felt comfortable, even luxurious, with a little talent Lexus. Combine tight fittings and a pleasant cabin with some very futuristic touches, in particular, with tools, as well as with machines that are immediately notified. Click the "Start" button to turn off the sound (without engine noise), and there is a certain "wow" factor if you have not traveled in a hybrid before.
Competitors
The competitors really did not stand up. Even other hybrid models of Toyota do not have the unique combination of sensations, attitudes and savings offered in the third-generation Prius. Uniqueness either makes a bet confident, without competitors, or the last choice, if you stick to the traditional car design. The main competitors are currently with a slightly lower mileage rating: Ford Fusion Hybrid, Honda Civic Hybrid, Honda Insight, Altima Hybrid. Also the middle type is the Toyota Camray Hybrid, but it is not in the same economy class as the Prius, Insight or Fusion.
Brand: Toyota
Model year: 2010
Model: Prius
Drive: front-wheel drive
Transmission: Continuously Variable Transmission
Gas Engine: Atkinson Inline-4 Cycle
Decomposition: 1798 cu. Cm or 110 cubic inches
Valves: 16 valves, double overhead camshafts, variable flow
Power: 98 at 5200 rpm for a gas engine and 36 hp
Torque: 105 @ 4000 rpm
Suspension: independent McPherson struts, stabilizers, springs
Steering: electrically controlled strut and gear
Front brakes: 10-inch ventilated disc
Brakes rear: 10.2 solid disc
Curb weight: 3042 pounds
Mass distribution: 60.2% front / 39.8% rear
Fuel tank: 11.9 gallons
EPA Fuel Economy: 51mpg city and 48 highway. Combined 50 mpg
Performance:
0-30 miles per hour: 3.6 seconds
0-45 mph: 6.3 seconds
0-60 mph: 9.8 seconds
M mile: 17.3 seconds at 79.7 mph
Braking:
30mph-0: 30 feet
60 miles per hour - 0: 118
Slalom (mph) 59.7 miles per hour
Lateral acceleration (g): 0.78
Length: 175.6 inches
Width: 68.7 inches
Height: 58.7 inches
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Front legs: 42.5 inches
Back of legs: 37.6 inches
Front: 38.6 inches
Back of the back: 37.6 inches
Maximum occupancy: 5
The volume of cargo: 21.4 cu. Feet
Displacement (flat) Volume of cargo: 39.6 cu. Feet
All-inclusive warranty: 3 years, 36,000 miles
Powertrain warranty: 5 years, 60,000 miles
Hybrid components warranty: 8 years, 100,000 miles
Safety: standard front, two-way, head airbags and driver only airbags, ABS, braking assistance, traction control, stability control, tire control.
