Vehicle: 2010 Toyota Prius with Premium Pkg w/Solar Panels
Price as tested: CDN$31100

Performance: Instead of using a 1.5 liter as with the previous Prius, the latest version comes with a 1.8 liter 16-valve VVT-i. On the gasoline side, the Prius has 98hp and 105 lb/ft of torque. On the other hand, Prius’s Hybrid Synergy Drive has an additional 80 ponies and 153 lb/ft of torque with those batteries. The result is a Prius that finally has some performance along with being economical. With 153 lb/ft on tap when the batteries start working, the Prius has some get-up-and-go on bottom end acceleration. The improvement from a 1.5 to a 1.8 liter has also helped Prius’s mid-range acceration. As one would expect from a Toyota hybrid, the transition between electric and gasoline are seamless. The whole system has been engineered exceptionally well. All the driver can tell from the transition between electric and gasoline is from the center screen on the center console. However, the upgraded from a more economical 1.5 to 1.8 liter has spoken a huge problem for Prius’s so-called environment friendly status. The fuel economy already not matched or even closed to official figure with the previous car. The latest generation is even more disappointing. During the day of our test drive, we had an average of 8 liters per 100km, that’s pretty far cry from Toyota’s official fuel economy. That’s even with the use of a Continuously Variable Transmission that is dedicated to hybrid application. Perhaps Toyota should engineered the “EV” mode that is able to allow driver to travel more than 1.5 mile, even under normal driving conditions. That should improve Prius’s fuel economy a whole lot more. Or better yet, combined both “EV” and “Eco” modes altogether for full electric power. The “power” mode is all but redundant if you are buying a Prius. If you want a performance-oriented family sedan, Prius shouldn’t be on the shopping list. That’s primarily because “power” doesn’t really improve its throttle or engine response. To make things worse, it just use more gasoline cause that mode no longer relies back to electricity. Everyone know use pure electric mode is the only way to can drive a hybrid closer to fuel economy rating. Otherwise, why not just buying a standard gasoline-powered car? Hmmmmmmm……..

Handling: While the Prius has a solid and stiff chassis for suspension components to hang its heads. One shouldn’t expect it to have sports sedan-esque handling dynamics. If you treat it as a family sedan, Prius has done it relatively well. The electric power steering has Toyota’s usual numb feedback, it also feels imprecise. The steering makes it feels like there is a plastic between the steering and the wheels. Completely devoid of anything called road feel and feedback. The overall dynamic feels more benign than entertaining, although it is completely understandable consider Prius’s status-of-life as a family car. As one expects from Toyota, its Vehicle Stability Control has stepped in quite abruptly when pushed. There are plenty of body rolls and terminal understeer. The biggest forte of the Prius has to be its ride quality. Although its far from being supple, it has cushioned both driver and passengers exceptionally well. That’s especially true on all those roughness and patholes which we called Canadian roads.

Brakes: With Prius’s regenerative braking system, even with 4-wheel discs and standard ABS. The pedal feels only average. That’s despite its already a huge improvement over previous car’s numb pedal feel. The modulation has slightly improved at the same time. But we have to give credit that ABS doesn’t step in unnecessarily with unwanted intervention.

Interior: Prius’s most appealing aspect has to be its hatchback design. With the rear seats fold down, you can put everything else at the back without breaking a sweat. A low lift floor with wide opening for easy access is an added bonus.

The rest of the interior is decently layout. Everything else from automatic climate control to the user-friendly infomation center in the center console. Driver can also control both climate and stereo on the multi-function steering wheel. While the joystick shifter looks hard to used on first hand, its very easy to get used to. On our particular model, it comes with a solar roof panel that help pre-cool the interior during hot sunny day. However, the use of plastic materials have left a-lot-to-be-desired with it comes to fitment and molding quality. Consider Prius’s price of $31k, I expect something a whole lot better at this price ladder. Another area worth criticising is the rear visibility, you can only see a portion with the rear view mirror. Without back-up camera, Prius is pretty hard to live with its rear slightlines.

Conclusion: Its hard to replace a car that has been considered a class benchmark. Its even harder to replace one that has been generally considered as an icon in the hybrid segment. It ain’t broke, Toyota just made it even better. If you like the outgoing car, the new one will be even more appealing.

OVERALL VERDICT FOR 2010 Toyota Prius
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Performance: 4/5
Handling and ride/fun-to-drive: 2.25/5
Interior/ergonomics/user-friendliness: 4.5/5
Fit-and-finish/build quality: 4/5
Cargo/accessibility/layout: 4/5
Value-for-money: 3/5

Overall rating: 3.5/5