2011 Prius?

Remember that the 2010 Prius was introduced off-cycle, in May. Without some indication otherwise, I'd expect the 2011 to return to the regular cycle, fall 2010.

 

New generations are often released early in order to extend the model year. But the normal release cycle for most cars is in the fall. The 2011 prius will likely go on sale in october 2010. I can almost guarantee that the packages will be identical to the 2010 as well.

 

I would agree. The 2011 won't be released until the fall of 2010. Toyota has quite a few new cars (redesigned) coming out in the next 2-3 months.

 

I think the timing of the release of the 2010 Prius had a lot to do with the release of The Honda Insight. Now that both vehicles are released I wouldn'texpect a March release of the 2011.

I don't know, since it is such a new design, I wouldn't expect a lot of change between the 2010 and 2011. If I was waiting for the 2011 my biggest hope would be for some tweaking of the minutia. There have been some complaints about squeaky dashs, verticle cargo nets that pull on the side (not sure if this has been resolved). Also going forward hopefully Toyota has the whole floormat and Gas Pedal situation settled. The most disturbing reported "problem" is the intermittent problem some owners have reported with the brakes "grabbing" when the car is in reverse.

Sooner or later I'd expect Toyota to get all these things ironed out. So far nothing IMO that would stop me from getting a 2010. I can't afford to wait that long, but in practice I never like to get the first generation of any new product. Beltless engine, fully electric accessories, redesigned and lighter hybrid components...it might take a few years on the road before we get real tangible feedback on the durability of some of these items.

Anyway, while I would hope Toyota gets some of the minutia of problem with the 2010 resolved ASAP, it's not reason enough for me to wait for 2011 models as I think there is 0 guarantee these issues will be resolved by that time. I don't think there is going to be any major or even minor change with either the bodystyle, mechanics or interior. Unless Toyota pulls a wild card, I'd expect The Prius to move forward this year basicly unchanged.

Infact, if there IS change, I do see it coming in the form of package combinations. The 2010 was released to compete at least inpart with the Honda Insight, I think packages and prices were configured with this in mind. I think Toyota might tweak package prices and available equipment configurations now that the "threat" of the Honda Insight is more defined. Whether this would result in a better deal for the consumer or not, is yet to be seen. In the competitive world of Hybrid automaking and marketing, The 2010 Prius has easily taken the first rounds of the fight between itself and The Honda Insight. So easily, it's kind of a bad thing. Fear of new competition I think made the original 2010 pkg II's and III's really very good deals. I'm afraid you'll see the prices of those creep up or standard amennities reduced slighty. Toyota has already (I think) officially announced that the mysterious PKG I Prius will not be a product released for general purchase, barely supporting a very limited fleet release. So if you were waiting for a bare bones but under $22,000 Prius in 2011? Don't hold your breath. I have no proof but my speculation is that the Prius I was really more of just a trump card Toyota held incase Honda reduced the Price of The Insight. You know, "You want to go lower?-We can go lower." type of deal. But since demand for The Prius has been very, very good and the "threat" of The Insight has diminished, start your counting with Prius at Two and go from there.

 

this reminds me of the 04-05 model years. Not much changed with the 04-05's, but things were improved, such as the MFD issue and the steering shaft, brake switch and lens issue ect.

 

I'd wait for the plug-in version!

 

I dont think they need to change anything to drive sales as they cant keep up with demand now. Plus historically looking at other lines and other makes, a new model does not change much at all in the first year after introduction, (2nd year).

Just my personal preference, but I like to get a new model early on so my car looks current longer than if I wait. plus with the strong demand and the weak dollar I would not be too surprised to see a hefty price increase with the 2011.

I would consider waiting on the plug in but beware the demand for them will be higher yet for a limited supply before they get geared up. Also I would suspect many dealers will be selling the plug in over MSRP. Considering the initial limited supply of lithium battery packs and high demand I suspect customer wait times will be long. The solar roof on the 2010 is a good example.

 

Look for better availability of the solar panel. Maybe even a IV with ATP (hint, hint!).

 

I have just checked on the German website of Toyota and the price of the Prius has increased on Oct. 5th, compared to the prices of July, of 500€ across the board (all 3 trims). The base version now is priced 25450€, instead of 24950€ (2% increase).

Of all available options, they "only" increased the solar roof option of 150€ (1150€, instead of 1000€), +13% .

Good that I bought it in August - I saved 500€/750$....
The dealer told me the prices would have gone up. It happened.

 

Frankly, there's way too little difference between a II and a III (just the JBL/bluetooth/USB) .. and too huge a price difference between a III and IV (nearly $3000 for leather, seat heaters, power lumbar, 3-door smart key, autodimm mirror and homelink) and far too few cars in the country in a IV with no NAV ... and they just raised the pricing $400 on everything on Oct 18th.

Now that the Honda Insight isn't proving an appropriate contender, ie. not a car Toyota's concerned with competing with in regards to Prius, we should hopefully quit adjusting pricing upwards and possibly make some IV and V cars without the $400+ Safety Connect. I was disappointed to see them charging for the safety connect AND charging for it to be used annually after the first year.

And, I also hope they will look at one thing. A $28,000 - $32000 car (ie a III or a IV well equipped) with full plastic wheel covers?! Guys, there really should be a better solution. Just my opinion. Hope they see that the competition isn't always a hybrid this or that.

 

Currencies are a bit of a wild card. Some analysts expect the dollar to finally rally next year; others look for a continued decline. This may well drive pricing for US consumers.

 

If history is a lesson, I'll keep my 2010 until 2016. That's when I figure there will be a real change into the next generation. Other than that, there will be the plug-in, and then just minor tweeks as in past practice.

 

To know when the 2011 Prius will be released, just look at the 2010 Matrix for example. ..

The all-new 09 Matrix was introduced in early 2008, about February. The 2010 Matrix came out about late September 2009.

2011 Prius will be out about late September 2010 give or take some weeks.

 

Sounds good, but the plug-in version's price will easily trump even the Prius V price with AT package. Li-Ion batteries won't come cheap.

 

I believe they reduced the number of pacakages from 04 to 05. I still have the original brochure from 04 and there was 9 pkg's, not sure but I think the 05's had less. My 04 had pkg.4 which was the same as my 05 with pkg.2

 

January 1010 I expect, they make it earlier every year don't they?

I don't think there will be any changes.

 

Don't expect huge savings from a plug-in. A friend has a Tesla which he doesn't drive every day. His electric bill went up about $50 a month - at today's gas prices that would buy almost 18 gallons of gas. He drives the Tesla maybe 500-800 miles a month.
Of course this is in California, where electricity is relatively expensive. In other parts of the country it is cheaper. But then again, it's cheaper there because it's generated by burning coal-that kind of takes the wind out of your sails (no environmental pun intended) as far as feeling like you're saving mother earth.