2010 Prius Driving Impressions DISCUSSION Thread

[bestmapman]

I saw the video frame earlier, where did it go. Is it posted somewhere else?

[fredthepostman]

Whats up?

[Paradox]

Video's working now Glad to see that it did have the green box set up correctly first time and all you have to do is hit ok, it speeds the process up alot. I thought you may haveto sit there fiddling with the arrows a bit.

[fredthepostman]

Wow! I thought I would see a lot of articles on your driving experiences.

[mirak]

I've read through a half-dozen or so of the reviews released today. Overall, Toyota must be very pleased with this press.

A lot of praise. Few negatives. The geeks are knocking the audio system for its lack of iPod interfacing, and the new MFD is getting mixed reviews. I think the biggest negative for Toyota is that most of reviews - by making reference to the Prius's new lower-priced competitor - are increasing expectations of a low MSRP. $25k-$35k could be real trouble.

[Manksgloob]

Rodger (the IPA guy) was a hoot -- and knew the new Prius well.

In my own 2006, I cannot see where the front ends, let alone the passenger front bumper, and am always hesitant about making tight turns in parking lots. I usually end up being quite conservative when making those turns resulting in huge gaps between my car and whatever I'm trying to avoid (In my defense, just about every other Prius I've seen turning in/out of a parking space also has the same 3-6 foot gap :facepalm: ). Back to the point...

After showing the IPA system, Rodger swooped the car around to go back to the test drive queue and in the process came within inches of a row of parked cars -- closer than I ever dared to go when I was in a car I COULD see the front of. He didn't even break a sweat. When he noticed my squirming, his comment was "What? I'm a professional!"

Indeed.

[KK6PD]

Driving impressions thread here....

http://priuschat.com/forums/2010-toy...tml#post818885

[sshaw10]

Danny,

Appreciated your review very much, thanks. Especially with regard to the better seat that might accomodate a tall guy like me. One review mentioned less knee room because of the new center console design? I love the idea of a knee airbag, very cool.
I pasted a quote from a car.com review and thought you might comment. You mentioned a big imporvement in noise and this reveiw seemed to feel it was still an issue. I'd appreciate any further thoughts you might have. Thanks again for your comprehensive review!

"My one negative with the Prius — and it's a big one — is road noise. The last-generation Prius had a similar problem, and despite its redesign this car is one loud ride on anything but pristine blacktop. If you're on especially rough pavement, the noise can be grating. I wasn't alone in this observation; on one bad stretch of road I asked my experienced co-driver if he thought a Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution (a performance-tuned car known for its rough ride and cabin noise) would be as loud as the Prius we were in. He had to agree with me, saying no, it wouldn't be as loud as the Prius.

Much of the noise is caused by the low-rolling-resistance tires that help the Prius get its vaunted 50 mpg. I recently spent time in a Honda Civic Hybrid equipped with low-rolling-resistance tires, and it too had a lot of road noise. Personally, I would rather have a car that gets 45 mpg and has a quieter cabin. Still, the past generation had the same problem, and plenty of people bought it and didn't complain about its loud ride. This issue just might not dissuade Prius shoppers like it would Camry buyers.

[Husker4theSpurs]

The new reviews all make the car sound like a great improvement!!

I still DO NOT UNDERSTAND the placement of the seat heaters ... not gonna ever understand it most likely.

[William B. Kayen]

Did anyone make note of the brand of tires on the 15 inch wheel models?