2010 Prius Driving Impressions Thread

[martinw]

Has anyone used cruise control in a regular car after having used DRCC for a while? I'm wondering how quickly you start to take the auto speed control for granted and expect it to happen when driving other cars.

[Indyking]

I now feel comfortable posting my impressions after having the car for almost 1 week. I got it in the 4th of July, so it will be hard to forget. It is a non-NAV model 3.

Exterior: I’m glad I changed my mind and got the blizzard pearl. The extra charge for premium color really worth it in my opinion because the pearl looks great on the Prius design. I must admit, I’m still not a big fan of the Prius looks but I have learned to like it. I guess the 17” wheels would help it but I picked model 3 for several reasons, so no fancy wheels for Indy .

Interior: I really like the interior. The cabin transmits that nice futuristic look that impresses anyone who looks at it for the first time. I have mixed opinions about the center console. While I really like it for better ergonomics, it does result in some cramping leg room for tall drivers like me since I’m constantly moving my knees around looking for more comfort. Seat support has been adequate so far but I have to see what happens when I start my 1000 miles/week commute in September. I’m 6’3” and head room is adequate in the driver seat, but awful in the sides of the back seat for someone like me. Leg room in the back seat is also decent but I found the width of the back seat very limited. The limitation is partially caused by the space taken by that air flow system in the right side of the seat. So, in my opinion the back seat is comfortable only for 2 average adults (not tall like me) or 3 children. I had 2 car seats set in the back seat, one in each side and the space left in the middle was too little. I recall that my last midsized sedans all have more room than the Prius in the back seat, so I guess I was expecting a bit more room for a mid-sized car but this is not a big deal for me because I will be driving my Prius alone 99.9% of the time. Cargo room is fantastic, more than adequate for my needs, considering that I can always fold the back seats forward when riding alone.

Finishing: Well, in general, I think the interior quality is good, although I felt like some competitors had better quality during my shopping around. My only complaint is the sunglasses holder. That thing is ridiculously small and looks very cheap. My sunglasses cannot fit in there. Well, it could, if I force it a little bit but I’m afraid to break it given the poor quality (break the holder, not the sunglasses). Also, it would be nice if Toyota added a convenience mirror in the holder, so front passengers can see the back seat. That’s a very cheap addition that is very useful for those who have kids. I was surprised by its absence in the Prius. Again, the mirror is also not a big deal for me though, because I’ll be riding alone most of the time.

Accessories/features: I’m a music lover, so I decided to pay extra cash for model 3 instead of 2 mainly because of the upgraded sound and had high expectations for it. Well, the JBL meets my expectations, not above or bellow it. It basically delivers what I was looking for, which is better quality than those of my previous cars. My brother (visiting from Brazil) is a guitar player and knows a lot more about car sound systems than I do; to him, the JBL is just OK. Bluetooth integration is great, syncing with my iPhone and Blackberry was easy and quick, and quality of conversation is great. My only complaint here is that I wish I could increase the received voice a little bit, but I think this is not possible. Satellite radio reception has been great so far despite of some complaints about it somewhere else in this forum. So, overall the extra 1K for the Prius 3 was worth it. This is my first smart key thing and I love it due its convenience. The A/C, although have not use it much yet, is very effective too, even in ECO mode. I realized that when I had to set my Odyssey at 70 to give the same level of comfort in my Prius set on 76 degrees during similar weather conditions (maybe my Odyssey A/C needs some reconditioning). The MID is very nice, though I wish it was multicolored. Its distance and location has not been an issue for me as it has been for a few others. I am very disappointed by the fact that IPod connector is not standard in the Prius 3. The accessory is actually already available to be installed in the glove compartment but it is hopeless because it’s too expensive in my opinion and you have to give up satellite radio for it in non-NAV models, so not an option for me! I’m using my IPod through aux jack, just like I have always done in my previous cars, and I don’t have any problems with it. There is also a Kensington adapter that is very convenient for the Prius because it fits well in the center box near the power and aux jack input, has a remote that can be attached to the steering wheel, recharges the IPod, stop the IPod when the car is powered off, and costs only 40 bucks! I’m thinking about buying it. Also, I could not believe there is no warning signal for leaving lights on when you turn the car off, any cheap economy car brings this feature these days . Oh, before I forget, the left foot rest in the floor is too small; I can only fit half of my left foot in there.

Driving experience: No question ECO mode is sluggish, and it takes a while to get used to it. Normal mode improves it a little bit but I’m OK with adapting my driving style with ECO. I have not needed PWR mode yet, but I tried it many times during my many test drives. Driving my Prius has been a great fun so far. The constant desire of improving your MPG by integrating your driving habits with the real MPG and energy monitor is what makes the driving experience extremely exciting and fun. I’m always looking forward to drive it again, can’t wait for the next time. It’s a different kind of pleasure when compared to driving a high-torque sports car, just different, not better or worst. I realize I’m more adept to the fun of driving efficiently and beating my MPG goals than driving dream sports cars. The environment says thanks! Noise level is great for its class, except in those short periods where the energy bar is working in the power range. The suspension delivers a fairly smooth ride. The electric steering does give a weird artificial feeling until you’re used to it. Changing through MID screens is cool, but the energy monitor is the most useful set of information. My complaint here is about back visibility. The bar separating the tailgate glass and that dark glass in the bottom blocks visibility of the front lights in many cars coming behind you. I guess it can be beneficial driving in the highway in the dark since my Prius does not have auto-dimming mirrors but I found the blockage in visibility rather annoying so far.

Fuel efficiency: Last but not least. I have driven only 250 miles so far, so less than half tank, and I have got impressive 56.3 MPG at 35 MPH recorded in the MID. Now, it is true that I have not used the A/C much yet but the driving conditions after I got my Prius have not been the best for MPG either. The temperatures have been bellow normal (60-70) and lots of rain. I think that’s very impressive MPG for a brand new car. I’m very pleased.

So, overall, I’m really satisfied with my Prius, this is my first Toyota and first hybrid, and if its reliability proves to be great as most Toyotas, it will certainly not be the last. When is Gen 4 coming out?

[usbseawolf2000]

Originally Posted by Indyking

Driving my Prius has been a great fun so far. The constant desire of improving your MPG by integrating your driving habits with the real MPG and energy monitor is what makes the driving experience extremely exciting and fun. I’m always looking forward to drive it again, can’t wait for the next time. It’s a different kind of pleasure when compared to driving a high-torque sports car, just different, not better or worst.

That's big especially coming from someone who considered Jetta TDI and test drove both. According to some extreme ignorants, you bought Prius because you hate driving. LOL. They don't know what they are missing. them!

Did you brother test drive your Prius?

Originally Posted by Indyking

So, overall, I’m really satisfied with my Prius,...

You are one of the 98% of the owners that satisfied. I am one of them as well. My car just passed the 100k miles mark and I couldn't be any happier. There is no way I can go back to a traditional car.

[dmvp]

>>Also, I could not believe there is no warning signal for leaving lights on when you turn the car off, any cheap economy car brings this feature these days .<<

The lights will automatically turn off 30 seconds or so after you turn the car off...no worries.

[Indyking]

Originally Posted by usbseawolf2000

Did you brother test drive your Prius? .

Yes, he did, and he's going to drive the Prius to Chicago to pick up a friend at the airport soon. He has a Peugeot 307 hatch 1.6 flex (gasoline/ethanol) (http://www.peugeot.com.br/descubra307_hot/index.asp) in Brazil. He loves the Prius. He said his car does not feel that much more powerful than the Prius in ECO mode! He was somewhat disappointed with the JBL sound system but he has a customized expensive sound in his car, those that you can hear the cars nearby vibrate when playing... so no wonder he does not like the JBL...

[Indyking]

Originally Posted by dmvp

>>Also, I could not believe there is no warning signal for leaving lights on when you turn the car off, any cheap economy car brings this feature these days .<<

The lights will automatically turn off 30 seconds or so after you turn the car off...no worries.

Is that right? I'm so embarrassed... I did not know that! Thanks.

[Tideland Prius]

Yeah there's an AUTO-OFF feature (so Toyota didn't really leave you hanging out without a full automatic headlight function).

Thanks for the review! Like usb said, it's an interesting one esp. coming from someone who strongly considered the Jetta TDI.

[RMulligan]

Just got back from a trip to the San Bernadino Mountains east of Los Angeles. After driving from the coast to the foot of the mountains in ECO mode I was pleasantly surprised at the kick in the pants I received when I switched into PWR mode. There was more than enough horsepower to accelerate up the mountain, including the steepest parts of the road (Hwy 330). There is even a steep, uphill turning to the right, pair of passing lanes where I pulled some good lateral acceleration. The 17" wheels kept me glued to the road quite nicely. I know I killed my MPGs doing this but I really wanted to see how my Prius V performed. I'm very impressed with its responsiveness to the accelerator in PWR mode. (Note: I didn't have any other riders in the car or a trunk load of luggage. So I was traveling light.) By the time I reached 7,100 feet at Snow Valley, the battery was down to two bars. So the traction motor was adding its power to the ICE to give an impressive performance for a 4-cylinder "econo-car".

On the way down the mountain I expected to use the "B" - Engine Brake during the low speed twisting portions of the road. It worked so well that I had to use the accelerator more than I expected to keep up with the car in front. I doesn't seem to matter how fast your are going when you engage "B". I was traveling at 65 MPH at the end of a downhill passing lane when I popped it into "B". No apparent complaints from the engine compartment. I also noted that the battery was "topped-off" with the highest charge I ever seen. While driving on the flatlands I've never seen the battery completely full. I also saw four 5-minute bars at 100 MPG. That was fun to see.

Lane Keeper Assist doesn't work well, if at all, when the sun is low in the sky and the lines on the freeway lanes are not all that distinguishable. It worked about 90% of the time when I drove home on the same freeways in the afternoon with the sun high in the sky. I'm getting better at using the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control in LA traffic. It is all a matter of anticipation, using the #2 & #3 lanes and one bar on the display. When a car passes you and pops into your lane ahead of you, the DRCC doesn't falter, even when the car is within the "safe follow" distance it would normally use. Only when the distance between you and the car ahead of you is decreasing will you see a decrease in speed.

I'm planning on taking my Prius on a cross-country trip. Has anyone made a long "road-trip" yet? I would like to know your impressions and your comfort levels.

[patsparks]

Originally Posted by Indyking

I Driving my Prius has been a great fun so far. The constant desire of improving your MPG by integrating your driving habits with the real MPG and energy monitor is what makes the driving experience extremely exciting and fun. I’m always looking forward to drive it again, can’t wait for the next time.
Fuel efficiency: Last but not least. I have driven only 250 miles so far, so less than half tank, and I have got impressive 56.3 MPG at 35 MPH recorded in the MID. Now, it is true that I have not used the A/C much yet but the driving conditions after I got my Prius have not been the best for MPG either. The temperatures have been bellow normal (60-70) and lots of rain. I think that’s very impressive MPG for a brand new car. I’m very pleased.

So, overall, I’m really satisfied with my Prius, this is my first Toyota and first hybrid, and if its reliability proves to be great as most Toyotas, it will certainly not be the last. When is Gen 4 coming out?

Love your review, great read.
Maybe now you can see why us Prius fanatics get upset when someone says driving a Prius is not fun, as you say, it is a different kind of fun!

Welcome to the merry band of satisfied Prius owners. That grin on Prius drivers faces isn't smugness, it's satisfaction! Almost better than sex!

[equake]

Originally Posted by RMulligan

Just got back from a trip to the San Bernadino Mountains east of Los Angeles. After driving from the coast to the foot of the mountains in ECO mode I was pleasantly surprised at the kick in the pants I received when I switched into PWR mode. There was more than enough horsepower to accelerate up the mountain, including the steepest parts of the road (Hwy 330). There is even a steep, uphill turning to the right, pair of passing lanes where I pulled some good lateral acceleration. The 17" wheels kept me glued to the road quite nicely. I know I killed my MPGs doing this but I really wanted to see how my Prius V performed. I'm very impressed with its responsiveness to the accelerator in PWR mode. (Note: I didn't have any other riders in the car or a trunk load of luggage. So I was traveling light.) By the time I reached 7,100 feet at Snow Valley, the battery was down to two bars. So the traction motor was adding its power to the ICE to give an impressive performance for a 4-cylinder "econo-car".

On the way down the mountain I expected to use the "B" - Engine Brake during the low speed twisting portions of the road. It worked so well that I had to use the accelerator more than I expected to keep up with the car in front. I doesn't seem to matter how fast your are going when you engage "B". I was traveling at 65 MPH at the end of a downhill passing lane when I popped it into "B". No apparent complaints from the engine compartment. I also noted that the battery was "topped-off" with the highest charge I ever seen. While driving on the flatlands I've never seen the battery completely full. I also saw four 5-minute bars at 100 MPG. That was fun to see.

Lane Keeper Assist doesn't work well, if at all, when the sun is low in the sky and the lines on the freeway lanes are not all that distinguishable. It worked about 90% of the time when I drove home on the same freeways in the afternoon with the sun high in the sky. I'm getting better at using the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control in LA traffic. It is all a matter of anticipation, using the #2 & #3 lanes and one bar on the display. When a car passes you and pops into your lane ahead of you, the DRCC doesn't falter, even when the car is within the "safe follow" distance it would normally use. Only when the distance between you and the car ahead of you is decreasing will you see a decrease in speed.

I'm planning on taking my Prius on a cross-country trip. Has anyone made a long "road-trip" yet? I would like to know your impressions and your comfort levels.

Nice review-

If you ever take the Grapevine for a trip up and down Norcal let us know with a review. I would really like to know how it handles in those conditions.