(Canadian Driver) First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius

**Tideland Prius** · 03-27-2009, 11:34 PM

San Francisco, California - The name Prius means “to go before” in Latin, and that seems appropriate for a car that has become the poster car for all gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, and indeed a symbol of environmentally-friendly automotive technology in general.

Whether the third generation 2010 Prius, which goes on sale in June, 2009, can maintain this leadership position as a new wave of hybrid vehicles enters the marketplace in the next few years, remains to be seen. Toyota is certainly trying hard to keep the Prius ahead of the pack: the new 2010 Prius has been completely redesigned and offers better fuel economy, more power, improved stability and handling, better brakes, more interior and cargo space, a quieter cabin, and more features such as a solar-powered ventilation system and Pre-Collision crash avoidance.

CanadianDriver First Drives First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius

Tickwood · 03-28-2009, 12:42 PM

"The 2010 Prius is based on the same platform as the Scion Xb..."
CanadianDriver First Drives First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius[/quote]

Is that correct???

Mike Dimmick · 03-28-2009, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tickwood

"The 2010 Prius is based on the same platform as the Scion Xb..."
CanadianDriver First Drives First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius

Is that correct???

Not very likely. The Prius wheelbase - distance between front and rear axles - is 100mm longer than the xB. A platform is a shared set of designs for core components - it's hardly a common component if the axles are 100mm further apart!

The closest possibility is the Scion tC/Toyota Avensis (European C/D-size car).

Edit: Scrub that. Toyota platform codes have Avensis = T platform; Scion tC seems to use a different second letter from the second letter of the engine code, which indicates an XT platform (so Scion doesn't use the Avensis platform either).

The Prius seems to be a platform all of its own: XW. See my other post here. The 2010 car is the third major version, XW30.

**Tideland Prius** · 03-28-2009, 04:27 PM

We've been hearing all sorts of answers for what chassis it's based on. I'd go straight to Otsuka-san for the answer.

03-27-2009, 11:34 PM	#1
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,120 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 365 Thanked 522 Times in 351 Posts Friends: 26	(Canadian Driver) First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius San Francisco, California - The name Prius means “to go before” in Latin, and that seems appropriate for a car that has become the poster car for all gasoline-electric hybrid vehicles, and indeed a symbol of environmentally-friendly automotive technology in general. Whether the third generation 2010 Prius, which goes on sale in June, 2009, can maintain this leadership position as a new wave of hybrid vehicles enters the marketplace in the next few years, remains to be seen. Toyota is certainly trying hard to keep the Prius ahead of the pack: the new 2010 Prius has been completely redesigned and offers better fuel economy, more power, improved stability and handling, better brakes, more interior and cargo space, a quieter cabin, and more features such as a solar-powered ventilation system and Pre-Collision crash avoidance. CanadianDriver First Drives First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius __________________ 2005 Tideland Pearl Premium Package 25/10/04 VVT-i Emblem, Sport Pedals, All-Weather Mats, Cargo Mat, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks, EV Mod, JDM Prius Footwell Lighting, DICE iPod Kit, LED lights 2008 Deep Black smart fortwo passion coupé - sold (6.1L/100km) 2010 Blue Ribbon Metallic Technology Package 29/08/09 All-Weather Mats, Homemade Console Pads, LED lights, Illum. Scuff Plates, Cargo Net, Wheel Locks "Ask an Expert" on Facebook I am not employed by Toyota, and the opinions expressed by me as a Prius Expert are not those of Toyota.

03-28-2009, 12:42 PM	#2
Tickwood Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: San Diego Posts: 179 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: IV Package: Navigation Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Friends: 0	Re: (Canadian Driver) First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius "The 2010 Prius is based on the same platform as the Scion Xb..." CanadianDriver First Drives First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius[/quote] Is that correct???

03-28-2009, 04:27 PM	#4
Tideland Prius Moderator of the North Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 21,120 My Car: 2010 Prius Model: N/A Package: Technology Package (Canada) Thanks: 365 Thanked 522 Times in 351 Posts Friends: 26	Re: (Canadian Driver) First Drive: 2010 Toyota Prius We've been hearing all sorts of answers for what chassis it's based on. I'd go straight to Otsuka-san for the answer.

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