Toyota Prius 2010 | 2010 Toyota Prius | 3rd Generation Toyota Prius

Mainichi Daily News, Japan – The Toyota Prius 2010 hybrid topped the car sales rankings in June as 22,292 of the vehicles rolled off dealers’ lots last month, according to the Japan Automobile Dealers Association.The figure, of which 21,192 were the new third generation Prius, gave further impetus to the boom in low emission cars — or “eco cars” — and marked the first time the Prius had outsold all other models, including light vehicles.

Until last month, first place in the overall vehicle sales rankings had been dominated by low-cost light cars such as the Suzuki Wagon R, and the Prius’ rise to the top spot was the first time a vehicle classified as a regular passenger car had done so since December 2007, when the Honda Fit claimed the title.

Second in the sales-by-model rankings was the Wagon R, with 16,185 sold, followed by the Daihatsu Move at 14,935, both light vehicles. The Honda Insight hybrid — which debuted in February — was well back in the pack at seventh place, with 8,782 of the cars leaving showrooms in June. However, while Honda’s hybrid was unable to stem the Prius’ momentum, it continues to exceed Honda’s sales target of 5,000 vehicles per month.

The Toyota Prius 2010 General Features

Toyota Prius 2010 has become a standard-bearer in its segment. Toyota Motor being one of the few car companies who manufactured gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle again hit the market with its third generation release of the Prius. It is now become so popular in the world because of its proven stellar fuel economy,
relatively uncompromised driving and acceleration characteristics and reasonable price.

Toyota Prius 2010 Driver Seat Panel

The Toyota Prius (its name comes from Latin and means “to go before”) exists as a partial solution to the automobile’s problem of tailpipe emissions. The Prius, like other hybrid vehicles, has a special powertrain that combines a gasoline-fueled internal combustion engine with an electric motor. This powertrain, along with other advanced features, allows the Prius to deliver higher fuel economy and lower emissions compared to regular cars.

The Toyota Prius 2010 was completely redesigned though it’s still a four-door hatchback that seats five people. The car’s hybrid powertrain consists of a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that produces 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque that’s used in conjunction with two electric motors and a special planetary gearset that functions as a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Total system power is 134 hp.

Other changes for Prius 2010 model include a more sculpted take on the iconic hybrid shape established by its predecessor. The interior was given a more radical overhaul, with a more conventional center control stack than the old car. The hybrid system display now resides high up on the dash next to the digital speedometer, while stereo and climate controls are laid out in a traditional manner with physical buttons rather than a touchscreen (which reappears if you order the optional navigation system). The result is a car that’s easier to acclimate to. It’s also a bit more comfortable for taller drivers, thanks to a height-adjustable seat and a telescoping steering wheel.

Toyota Prius 2010 Front View

One thing that hasn’t changed is the Prius’ superb interior packaging, which helps extends the car’s appeal beyond simple fuel efficiency. Its hatchback body style allows for an impressive amount of cargo to be lugged around, while a surprisingly commodious backseat makes it a plausible replacement for a family sedan or compact SUV.

In some reviews it was found the Toyota Prius 2010 to build upon its revolutionary predecessor’s successful formula of fuel efficiency and versatility. It’s now a more normal car to drive and use, making it easier to transition from a traditional car. While Honda’s less expensive but smaller Insight is worth a test-drive, those looking for a hybrid should still start their search with the Toyota Prius.

Though some are claiming that Toyota Prius 2010 is a complete redesign of the 1st and 2nd generation releases, it still sat five people in a four-door hatchback body that provided extra versatility in terms of carrying items. The previous models only featured a smaller, 1.5-liter gasoline engine that produced 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque. With the electric motor spinning out power, peak net hp was 110.

Toyota Prius 2010 interior changes is considered to be one of the biggest area of difference between the second-generation model. The dashboard and controls were unconventional and futuristic, with stereo, climate, vehicle system and optional navigation controls residing in a touchscreen interface. There were steering wheel buttons for frequently used items, but ultimately, too much was put under the jurisdiction of the touchscreen. The odd gear-selector action of today’s Prius was carried over from this generation, but then it was mounted on the dash.

Other reviews of the Toyota Prius cited the outstanding mileage, ultralow emissions, and hatchback utility. Ofcourse it remains cheap which is the car’s greatest strengths.

Toyota Prius 2010 Back View

There are known downsides though. It includes soft handling characteristics at highway speeds and, compared to regular midsize sedans, unimpressive maximum acceleration.

Selecting older model of Prius based on year shouldn’t be too difficult because models built for 2002 and ‘03 might have more of a draw, as it was then that Toyota started to offer additional optional features, such as a navigation system, side airbags and cruise control.

Toyota Prius is now considered from a niche product to become Toyota’s third-best-selling model in the United States since 2003 where 2nd generation was made available in the U.S. market. It has 98% satisfaction rate which rare to happen in car industry.

Talking about Hybrid cars, aside from Prius, Toyota also has Camry Hybrid aside from Ford Fusion Hybrid.

The 2010 Toyota Prius was officially unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January 2009 and went on sale in April. This latest Prius release is bigger and more powerful. Also, the engine grew from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters—giving a boost in horsepower from 110 to 160, and thereby reducing zero-to-60 time by a full second aside from the body is about four inches longer and about an inch wider but what is amazing is that becomes the only vehicle available today to offer 50 miles per gallon in combined city or highway driving.

Toyota Motor achieved this level of fuel efficiency by keeping Prius’ weight down but maintaining the best aerodynamics of any car being produced in the world, and re-engineering the powertrain to extend the range of all-electric gas-free driving.
The Toyota Prius 2010 Exterior Design

Toyota added a slightly sportier feel and more aggressive stance to the 2010 Prius—perhaps to disarm criticism that the Prius looks like a corrective appliance on wheels. The logo shifts from the hood to the top of the point of the grille. The crease in the doors has shifted lower, but a more pronounced angle is added above the door handles. The overall effect is to make the 2010 Prius stand taller—not as rounded and squat—as its predecessor.

The distinct space-age shape of the Prius is still apparent: a deliberate effort by Toyota to maintain the Prius’s essential and iconic appearance. Its large, diamond-cut headlamps and snub-nose front-end are the starting point for the Prius’s quasi-flying saucer appearance. The angled hood seamlessly flows into the windshield, then to a flowing roofline that is sleek and low. Short overhangs and a sawed-off rear section finish off the hybrid’s futuristic hatchback character.

Of course, beauty is subjective, so the Prius continues to receive mixed reviews on outward show. There are many who think the Prius looks gimmicky, if not entirely ugly. But for many hybrid owners, the distinctive look of the Prius sends a message, which declares that we must take steps to reduce our voracious thirst for oil—with all its negative consequences in terms of the environment and geo-politics. For this camp, the Prius is like a middle-finger-on-wheels aimed at Hummers, Suburbans, Escalades, and the like.

Toyota Prius 2010 Side View

The Toyota Prius 2010 Bells and Whistles

The previous Prius had loads of gizmos—including keyless entry, joystick shifter, high-tech energy monitor, and a rear-view camera system. Toyota throws even more technology at the new model.

In this release, the Prius offers a moonroof and heated seats. The sliding glass moonroof, packaged with a slick-looking solar panel, provides power to a new ventilation system that doesn’t require help from the gas engine. Not only does the AC system keep the interior air temperature from heating up when the vehicle is parked, the system can be operated remotely to heat or cool the cabin before getting into the car.

Toyota Prius 2010 offers threa driving mode: Power, Economy and EV. Power improves throttle response; economy reduces throttle response for better gas mileage; and with a flip of the dashboard EV button, the car can go about one mile at low speeds without using any gasoline.

Toyota Prius 2010 also offers an optional radar system using advanced millimeter waves enables “Lane Keep Assist” to help the driver stay safely within the lane, and the “Pre-Collision System” retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable. Intelligent parking offers settings to help guide the Prius into parking spaces. A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.

The Prius 2010 also has new touch sensor system on the steering wheel helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road. Images of the switches and their positions are shown on the instrument panel directly in front.

The Toyota Prius 2010 Interior Design

Toyota Prius 2010 or even prior release has been successful in its ability to combine great fuel efficiency and utter practicality. There will be five adults which can fit comfortably, with more than 16 cubic feet of cargo room left over in back. The 60/40 split rear seats also can be folded flat, creating a surprisingly large cargo space for hauling groceries, strollers, large boxes, etc.

Regardles of the height, drivers should comfortable driving Prius 2010. What is amazing is that, the back seat is roomy, beating the Toyota Camry by a few inches, Honda Civic Hybrid, and Honda Insight.

All are not positive anyway because the hatchback design limits the visibility through the rear window which drivers refer as the “Prius blind spot.”

Toyota Prius 2010 Features Video

The Toyota Prius 2010 in Full Test Video

Toyota Prius 2010 vs. Honda Insight 2010

Toyota Prius 2010 offers an astonishing 113 mpg, according to a report in the U.K.’s AutoExpress magazine. (Note: 113 mpg in the U.K. is equal to 94 mpg here in North America). “The whole electrical system has been redesigned to improve economy” said a Toyota engineer was quoted as saying. “We are working on a prototype that runs solely on the electric motor in slow traffic, but switches to engine and motor drive when higher speeds are needed.” The 0-62 mph time will also be improved by more than a second, according to the report, bringing it to well under 10 seconds. Much of the improvement can be attributed to the use of lithium-ion batteries instead of nickel-hydride units. The lithium-ion batteries are smaller, lighter, and have greater electrical output.