2010 on the street!

I wasn't able to see the new Prius at an auto show. I've been limited to just pictures on the internet. Was driving through my surburban neighborhood yesterday and saw my first 2010 Prius. Circled the block several times, even parked car and semi-casually walked up and down block just to get a closer look. My very detached first visual impressions after seeing one in the sheet metal?

I was suprised at how much it looked like a 2nd generation Prius. I don't mean that as a blow or insult, infact I like the look of the 2nd generation Prius and in pictures, I was afraid Toyota had tweaked the look too much. But to me, in person, it seems like it looks more akin to 2nd generation Prius than it appears in pictures. A little sportier, cleaner lines, but still a Prius. Especially from the sides. I think this is a good thing. I was impressed.

Maybe it will grow on me, but the only thing I visually did not like as well in comparison to generation 2 was the front end. Toyota needs to shrink the badge. In my opinion it's ridiculously large, blue, and stuck on a bulbuos nose. They've made the new Prius look cleaner, and less cartoonish but the front end is a step backwards. Maybe I have a prejudice because I always actually liked the clean more diminutive lines of the front of the generation 2 Prius. It wouldn't be a deal breaker but looking straight on from the front I prefer the look of the Generation 2 over Generation 3. I'll give it some time, and see some other colors. (This one was blue) Maybe it will grow on me.

The back end? Again very Prius like. Seems a little more overpowering, but I'm indifferent. Can't say it struck me as worse or better.

Overall? I liked it. The Prius looked cleaner, sharper, and more like a vehicle of the future while retaining enough of the original look to appeal to purists. Just shrink the badge, and I wish Toyota would fall out of love with the "noses" they insist on sticking on all their cars right now.

I've got to get to a dealer and take even a closer look, I felt like a stalker trying to find ways to view this Prius on the street. I'm sure if I had taken another trip around the block the owner would of called the cops. " I swear, I was just looking at the car officer! ".