Prius overall MPG shows no improvement in the 3rd generation according to Consumer Reports tests

[FireEngineer]

A lot of their comments about the interior seem to be the same as I heard from people at the Prius Connection events. I agree the body rigidity, suspension and handling have improved. I agree the highway MPG is better by about 10%. And the city MPG in my commute is down by about 10%. Eeek, I generally agree with CR.

Wayne

[PriusRos]

Originally Posted by jay_man2

You mean you haven't been caught in bumper to bumper traffic on I-270 rolling along at 20 mph or less and watched your mpg climb like I do every commute on I-66?

Well, that's why the highway mileage is better!

[gene4655]

Originally Posted by sshaw10

"Thirstier in the city?" I thought city driving was where the car shined, how can it get less MPG in the city than highway, isn't that the whole point?

We've had a 2003, a 2006 and now a 2010, and not one of them has given better mileage in the city than on the highway. The difference in mileage for all of them has been from six to eight miles better on the highway than in the city. I've never figured out the claims for the better city mileage.

[oxnardprof]

Originally Posted by gene4655

We've had a 2003, a 2006 and now a 2010, and not one of them has given better mileage in the city than on the highway. The difference in mileage for all of them has been from six to eight miles better on the highway than in the city. I've never figured out the claims for the better city mileage.

Yes, for me as well - I get about 40 MPG in city driving (speed about 40 to 45 mgh) and about 55 MPG highway (I try to drive about 60 mph in the slow lane).

For what ever reason, I never get better fuel efficiency in the city than on the highway.

[scottydogsprius]

I am a first time prius owner so I can not compare to previous models. That being said, we have had our third gen. prius pkg. III for 7 weeks, and we have put apx. 4200 miles on it. I am averaging 52 mpg, my worst mileage was 48, and my best mileage has been 60 mpg. Our gas bill at Shell has gone from 300 dollars per month for our Hyundai Santa Fe (20 mpg) to 125 per month with the Prius. I am obviously satisfied with the Prius.

[jburns]

Originally Posted by scottydogsprius

I am a first time prius owner so I can not compare to previous models. That being said, we have had our third gen. prius pkg. III for 7 weeks, and we have put apx. 4200 miles on it. I am averaging 52 mpg, my worst mileage was 48, and my best mileage has been 60 mpg. Our gas bill at Shell has gone from 300 dollars per month for our Hyundai Santa Fe (20 mpg) to 125 per month with the Prius. I am obviously satisfied with the Prius.

Some of us are old.

Please use bigger type.

[BlueIce]

Originally Posted by Gokhan

This comes as a big surprise. The third-generation Prius has boasted substantial (9%) improvement in overall fuel economy, from 46 to 50 MPG, according to the government dynamometer tests. But according to standardized realistic road tests of Consumer Reports, the overall fuel economy remains the same at 44 MPG, with the city being less and highway being more, in the third-generation Prius. This is disappointing to me, as I was expecting the Prius to raise the MPG bar with every generation. It also shows how unreliable the government MPG numbers are.

Consumer Reports mentions improvements in general, such as better seating. So, the car is improved overall from the last generation. But some of the interior features are mentioned to get cheaper.

Also, the handling, a weakness of the Prius, hasn't improved much since the last generation.

So, the bottom line is that the second- and third-generation Prii are basically the same car -- the well-known top environmentally friendly new car -- with the same MPG and similar performance and comfort.

Consumer Reports 2010 Prius First Drive:

2010 Toyota Prius: First Drive

The third generation hybrid grows up a bit

Last reviewed: August 2009







While a redesign, the 2010 third generation Toyota Prius looks much like its iconic predecessor. The new Prius is slightly wider and comes with a larger 1.8-liter engine, many available high tech gizmos, and advanced safety options. Base price is enticingly low. We aimed to buy a base Prius II for $22,750, but found a Prius IV readily available for $26,550. This version adds Bluetooth connectivity, JBL stereo and leather seating.

First impressions

The new Prius comes across as more of a "grown up" kind of car than before. It feels more substantial, with improved seats and driving position and a little more oomph. So far, we've measured fuel economy at 44 mpg overall, same as the previous generation, but the car is more economical than before on the highway. In city type driving, however, the new car has gotten slightly thirstier.
The new Prius accelerates with a little less effort. The engine doesn't sound stressed when climbing a hill or merging, as did the engine in its predecessor. The car still propels itself solely on electric power at low speeds and is whisper quiet then. A new EV mode allows for electric propulsion when crawling at very low speeds such as stop and go traffic, keeping the engine shut off for as long as possible. Handling is still not sporty, but there's slightly less lean in corners and the steering has more heft, although feedback falls short. The ride is firm yet steady and compliant.
Inside, the telescopic steering wheel greatly improves the driving position. The seats are more comfortable, and the leather in our car provides decent support with a power lumbar adjustment. The switches for the newly available heated seats have an odd location, deep under the console. Some of the plastics, especially the upper-tier glove compartment lid are rather flimsy. The new center console that houses the shifter is slick looking but robs some width. It takes some getting used to scrolling through information on the new multi-function center display. Unfortunately, there is no more color touch screen, unless you get the navigation system. Access is easy and the rear seat is roomy. The split rear window remains and continues to compromise rear visibility. The rear wiper only covers the upper section, which becomes apparent when it rains.

CR Take

The new Prius is very familiar to those who knew the previous generation. It doesn't seem as ground breaking as it did in 2004, but it is improved in many ways. We will see how it stacks up when we get done testing it.

I believe anything and everything that is written. Now why would the sticker read 48-51mpg and and my current mpg be 50.8mpg with an ave speed of 31mph and the consumer Report read 44mpg??????? Just Kidding It's great that the report is wrong.

[SageBrush]

The EPA reports of better city MPG than highway simply represent as easy test cycle. My city driving is also pretty easy, so I routinely get 70 mpg in the city in temperate weather except for short drives on a cold engine. I don't think I have ever seen over 60 mpg from highway driving, and that result is abetted by high elevation.

Might just be me, but I have thought it pretty clear for quite a while now that the G3 redesign focused on high speed highway, high power demand, and cold weather driving. In short, Toyota was influenced by the newer EPA protocols. More is the pity.

[Blind Guy]

...although (steering) feedback falls short. The ride is firm yet steady and compliant...
My wife RADICALLY dissagrees with this statement (except for the "compliant ride" part), she says there are ONLY 4 cars she's driven that give steering feel on a certain section of freeway near our home, there are minute undulations in the pavement spaced about a foot apart (poor road construction), on most cars this has NO effect, however, at about 65mph,,, on four of the cars she has driven extensively, she could feel distinctly those ripples through the steering wheel, those cars are the: BMW 3 Series, BMW 850Ci, Acura NSX and...the 2010 Toyota Prius V!!!

David & LaDonna (aka Blind Guy & Wife)

[Gokhan]

Originally Posted by Blind Guy

...although (steering) feedback falls short. The ride is firm yet steady and compliant...
My wife RADICALLY dissagrees with this statement, she says there are ONLY 4 cars she's driven that give steering feel on a certain section of freeway near our home, there are minute undulations in the pavement spaced about a foot apart (poor road construction), on most cars this has NO effect, however, at about 65mph,,, on four of the cars she has driven extensively, she could feel distinctly those ripples through the steering wheel, those cars are the: BMW 3 Series, BMW 850Ci, Acura NSX and...the 2010 Toyota Prius V!!!

David (aka Blind Guy)

Prius V has a different, better steering than Prius II, III, and IV. Consumer Reports' first drive is for Prius IV.