2010 Model disappointing to me

I am very disappointed in the 2010 for the following reasons.

the Miles per gallon is not a significant improvement.

I still have my 2002 Prius, (original owner) it gets about 47 MPG freeway

highway combined here in Southern California. My model had a real trunk,

one of the biggest steps back in my opinion is the hatchback, it reduced

visibility and took away my trunk. Considering the Prius rumors in Japan

were too ambitious with reported mileage. But 50 MPG is comes in far

below expectations.

I still prefer the 2002 to the newer ones. I was really looking forward to an

upgrade from my 2002 this year but will wait for a similar car with better

MPG.

If we convert 2002 Prius MPG to 2008 standard, it would be 41 MPG. Since you are getting more than the EPA, you will do better with the 2010 as well. I am guessing you should get 60 MPG.

I agree. and, you won't be disappointed when you sit in onel.

I'm already doing close to 60 mpg in my '04, it'll be interesting
to see what the old-hand Prius pilots can pull out of the '10
whenever they get a chance to really put it to work.
.
_H*

I'm only disappointed in the lack of a plug-in, and I wasn't really expecting that so soon anyway. Give it a year or two. I would also have liked a diesel ICE, maybe as an option, but we knew that wasn't happening.

Otherwise, I have only a few nits to pick with the 2010. For example, the center console seems pointless and takes away a nice place for the wife to put her purse - my wife is very unimpressed at that. And I haven't heard about the seats yet, though they look nice and comfy.

But overall the 2010 is nice-looking, apparently a bit roomier, only barely larger on the outside, somewhat better gas mileage, sunroof - I think it is on target. I don't mind the standard MFD and I'd get the full satnav system anyway.

They basically kept almost all of the G2 Prius's characteristics, and I'm happy w/ that because I think the G2 Prius didn't need much fixing.

I wonder if it will come w/ better OEM tires?

Unfortunately plug-ins just aren't mature enough yet to be released in the masses. It's one thing to install kits in the cars after they've been purchased, since Toyota is free of liability on those.

It's another thing if you release 100,000 factory installed plug-in Prius' per year and two or three of them catch on fire. Imagine how much the media and Hummer crowd would love that?

Dear God... The Gen I's look like rich man Echo's.... If you can tell the difference, and if you don't drive a Prius you probably can't.

Hatchback is a huge upgrade and the styling is WAY better then an 02.

Buck up cowboy.

I don't prefer a 2002 Prius, I think it looks wimpy and I imagine the average driver looking for style finds it unappealing.

If looking for a trunk, people go with a Civic Hybrid.

The 2nd, 3rd gen Prius shape is what allows such low drag coefficient. I don't think it possible to get a Cd of .25 with a sedan shape.

50 MPG average on the 3rd Gen, and it will surely blow your car into the weeds from 0 to 60 mph, while allowing more weight carrying capacity.

This Gen3 car will bring many fencesitters into the Prius fold. The waitlist will be insane this Summer.

Many people like and want good looking cars because there are many out there.

Geez, I've owned small, 600cc motorcycles that cannot average 50 MPG. We get a 3000lb car that can legally carry 5, and average 50, maybe more. That blows me away.

I'm averaging 51 on this tank on a car that's rated for only 46

I actually like the Classic Prius, but a former coworker had one and I did not have enough headroom in his car. I just barely have adequate headroom in my 07 Prius and that was only after I modified the seat to lower it slightly.

Looking at the sunroof and the revised roofline of the 2010 model, my suspicion is that I won't have enough headroom in the new model either. Just as well, I can't afford to buy another car anyway. I intend to drive my 07 until it can't be repaired any longer.

I like the 2010 Prius. I think the shape is clean and the interior is nicer. To pull 50 mpg epa rating is amazing. How many cars can get an additional 4 mpg with more power and better 0-60, way to go Toyota. I have an 07 Prius so in a little over two years I'll be looking for a new one and the new model will be top on the list. Question for me is how much will the toys cost. I love the solar roof and sun roof option. Even though it only helps with interior cooling I would want to get it just because its a step in the right direction for the world. That is of course if its not too expensive. Hopefully they have a package option that is for better mpg such as LED lamps and solar. I don't need nav as the garmin does just fine.

Re: 2010 Model disappointing to me TOO

I personally think Toyota sold out with the 2010 model. Most of the "extras" I've seen look like a lot of eye candy bells and whistles. The optional solar roof: how about you crack your windows (most of the new owners they're trying to entice will just crank up the air anyway). The collision avoidance: been available to Lexus for a few years. The predicted MPG (Toyota's not the EPA's which may very well be lower): pretty disappointing. The larger motor/increased HP/increased 0 - 60: do we really need it??? How about keeping the same motor and gaining some additional MPG. With this one Toyota seems to be buying into the U.S. mentality. More Power...ugh...ugh...ugh...(a la Tim the tool man). I'm very happy with the power of my 2008 Prius (take into account my previous ride was a Lexus IS 350). And the big question of price: my guess is that there will be a pretty good jump in price structure. Taking into account some of the Lexus add ons as well as the fancy schmancy solar panels my guess is a nifty premium for a nicely equipped model. I really have the feeling that Toyota rushed this version to market simply to beat other manufacturers hybrid introductions.

I'm impressed that they managed 50 mpg with a larger engine and better performance. The 4% reduction in Cd is welcome for highway efficiency.

I prefer hatches to trunks. They are far more functional in terms of carrying capacity and fuel efficiency (Cd). There is a sacrifice of visibility when backing, but unless one is driving one of those high Cd, boxy shaped econobox sedans from 20 years ago rear visibility in a streamlined sedan is nothing to brag about anyway.

Trunks are a PITA--liftover issues, length limitations, height limitations, width limitations, and capacity limitations. Once I bought my first hatchback in 1991 (0.29 Cd) I never really cared for a trunk again.

Unless your wife's handbag is the size of a carry on bag she will be happy with the space under the console, and the petrol ICE is as efficient as a diesel while lighter, lower emissions, doesn't stink and quieter.
I sat in this thing and it is the bomb. This is better than you can imagine from the pictures.

If you get an invite to a preview, even if your laptop is broken or you cant find a string bag for your underpants, head over and have a look, it's awesome!! The seats are very good now with more adjustment than Magic Johnson and Kylie would need.

Height n reach adjustments on steering, lumbar, more space overall, just magic!

It's not plug-in, and the 50 mpg represents a savings of maybe 5 gallons a year for me, since I only drive the Prius when I have to drive farther than my Xebra will go, or when the roads are snow-covered.

A year or so ago, we were speculating that the next-gen Prius would get 60 mpg, so this is disappointing. I gather that they've given the new model more power, to pander to the American perversion, rather than giving it the best-possible FE.

I guess I'll keep driving my '04.

To chime in here, I'm with the concensus of most - that I'm a bit dismayed with the 2010. At this point in time I'm sure glad I purchased an 09 and I'll wait a few years to see what kind of improvements/upgrades Toyota does with the 3G.

there are a lot of bells and whistles and they are all designed to keep techies interested but also to make the Pri more mainstream.

as far as the gas mileage improvement, they did it in several different ways. the exhaust gas recirc makes the car warm up more efficiently and quicker which in turn, gets it the its most efficient operating temp faster.

also, a minor point, but the battery pak is smaller but has the same number or cells and was done by removing the charge monitoring and cooling system from the pak. reducing the system into smaller components will mean a cheaper battery replacement price (hopefully an easier method in expanding the pack. there is definitely room to add another pak next to it and still get access to the spare) because now you will not have to replace items that may or may not be good.

overall, it definitely earns the right to be labeled a new generation. there are more than enough advances to make this an attractive option

I like the look of the new Prius. I am glad it has more power. If you think the current Prius has good acceleration, just try driving it after driving a Camry and you will be shocked. It is too sluggish. I will be very happy if the new Prius has close to the same power as the Camry. I also hope very much that the 2010 will have better seats. Softer. Perhaps with a power option. A back up camera is needed due to the very bad rear visibility in the car. Finally, I wonder if the moonroof is worth the money. Does it have a function, or is it just for looks?

Did they get rid of the rubber gas tank?

I purchased a 2009 in Sept. Very happy with it but I was considering selling it to my daughter and getting a 2010. NOT gonna happen! From what I have seen and read so far the 2010 is a big dissapointment to me. It truely amazes me how auto manufacturers make what they want and NOT what the consumer wants. Didn't the US car makers discover this? BTW up till now I have only owned US cars with the exception of a Jag years ago.