   2010 Toyota Prius. Click image to enlarge |
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Follow CanadianDriver on TwitterInside Story is a review of interior comfort features, cabin controls, storage options, trunk space and under-hood accessibility based on a seven-day evaluation.
Review and photos by Michael Clark
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2010 Toyota Prius
A thousand points of patent: that’s the wordspeak on Toyota’s press material for the Third-Gen 2010 Prius, which benefits from a massive re-jig, regardless of what the silhouette would have you think. Eco-savvy plastique, available solar-powered ventilation systems, and blue hue badges may be enough to snag the tree-huggers, but if you can’t put your Acai energy smoothie in the cup receptacle, then what exactly was the point? The sharpened stick of that point has been made even more ouchie, with the arrival of the Honda Insight, compete with a paltry MSRP. The wallet dent on this week’s Prius tester is $27,500 (prices shown do not include freight, taxes, regional or promotional incentives.) Should a two-mode hybrid be in your future? As far as I’m concerned, definitely maybe. Let’s see what the cupholders say:
What appears to be your normal everyday steering-wheel mounted controls has a shine on. By depressing the tabs, a screen pops up on the central gauge face, which guides the driver into picking and choosing their needed functions more carefully. Think about how many times your line of sight departs from the business of driving on a daily basis, and you start to get the idea. This particular trim level is affectionately known as ‘Base.” Mirrors are power remote, with controls housed on the extreme left of the dashboard. There’s a Lexus feel with the full-auto windows control cluster.
 2010 Toyota Prius. Click image to enlarge |
The centre stack has grown up considerably. The oversized golf tee of a drive-by-wire shifter gets a tasteful sculpt, still using the separate ‘Park’ switch. Auto climate appears, though it is single zone. To the right of the shifter are the additional driving modes, other than the standard operation. EV stands for electric vehicle, providing full electric operation at ultra-low speeds. The Eco Mode allows for maximum hybrid optimization for mileage, and the Power Mode switch transforms the Prius into a zippy performer. Well, zippy as four-cylinder hybrids go. Note the tight tolerances observed for the HVAC and audio head unit switches. Keeping the driver informed of all this fuel sippage is the central information display, which logs varying degrees of consumption. Headlamps include an Auto detent. The wiper stalk adds an intermittent rear sweep.
  2010 Toyota Prius. Click image to enlarge |
A dual frontal glovebox houses owner’s lit with ease. Front doors are pocket equipped, with the only rear storage pockets occurring on the front seatbacks. Drive-by-wire means no bulky console to contend with, thanks to the elimination of the traditional transmission linkage. Note the 12-volt DC powerpoint. The front console includes an upper tray, which is fitted with the proper indentations to allow running cables for chargers or MP3 hook-ups. A removable cupholder biscuit hides beneath the console lid when not in use. The primary front cupholder resides beneath a flip-top door, below the shifter. One last console visit, to point out the 12-volt DC powerpoint, and auxiliary audio jack input. The rear cupholder, in the fold-down centre armrest, appears to be spill-savvy, until you check the inner angle of the holder. It’s on the level. A note to purchasers; keep these rear seat vents clear, as they are tied to proper hybrid operation.
      2010 Toyota Prius. Click image to enlarge |
An upper sunglasses holder is joined by backlit vanity mirrors. The visors are non-sliders, with no additional pull-out blockers for sunshades.
Manual height adjustment helps keep that ‘Base model’ stigma alive and well for the driver’s seat. The roof profile was moved to the rearward of the Prius, resulting in increases for height and leg room.
The cargo area borders on cavern, with proper tonneau cover, and tie-down points. Note the centre rear seat shingle-style head-rest. Seatback releases are found at the seat tops, allowing for an impressive flat-fold. The cargo floor locks into place, with a driver’s side storage box beneath a separate floor biscuit. Beneath the floor is a cargo organizer insert.
Belt? What belt? Thanks to such innovations as an electrically-driven water pump, the 134-net horsepower 1.8-litre Atkinson Cycle four-cylinder uses no drive belt systems. Fluid fill points presented no issues, though mind your manners around the orange-coloured high voltage wiring. Speaking of high voltage, I opted for the Power Mode for economy testing. Even in the highest fuel slurp setting, this urban heavy cycle returned a consumption rating of 4.9 litres per 100 kilometres. Not too shab, when you consider that Toyota’s combined mileage figure for City/Highway on the Prius is 3.8 litres per 100 kilometres.
The Insight might be able to play the price card, though it is the subtle refinement of the third-gen Prius cabin that ultimately wins out. A recent evaluation at this week’s AJAC Testfest reminded me that the Insight is a smidge pokier than the Power Mode Prius. To clarify, this is best described as ‘Get Out Of The Way’ power, not ‘Blistering Tire Cooking’ power. Whatever you call it, the Prius deserves the Zen of third gen. The attributes to applaud seem more concerned with mimicking Versa. Not a bad baby to have.
Next week: Kia Forte Koup
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