The Toyota Prius originated back in 1997. The first Prius wasn’t the first hybrid, but it did get the best MPG (miles per gallon) rating. The second generation Prius was a shocker. Toyota rated it at 61-60, but then reduced it to 47-45 (city first). That was all long ago. It is time for a whole new generation! The 2010 Prius is totally redesigned, in the gas mileage, exterior, interior, and everything else. The only thing that didn’t change is the chassy. With a new drive-by-wire system, a larger Hybrid battery, and a 1.8L (liter) gasoline engine, it is the most fuel-efficient car on the roads today. Toyota is having a hard time keeping them in stock! With a combined 50 MPG, 51 in the city, and 48 on the highway, it’s a no-brainer to check this car out! I personally rode in one, and learned all about the new features. With the new 1.8L engine, it goes from 0 to 60 in 9.8 seconds

Toyota added 3 new modes to the new Prius. EV, Eco mode, Power mode, and, of course, Normal mode. EV turn the engine completely off, and lets you drive at low speeds for about a half of a mile. Eco mode is slower accelerating, but it’s what helps it get its great gas mileage. Power mode combines both the battery and engine to “get you off of the line” faster. Normal mode is used for, well, normal driving, and you control how efficient, or how much power you want to use.

The new drive-by-wire system means that there is no wire connected from the brake, nor the accelerator, it offers a safe drive, and low maintenance. The only belts there are in the whole car are the seat belts. There is absolutely NO belt for the engine, water-cooled electric motor, or any other part of the car, except for the seat belts. This also adds to the low maintenance deal.

The new Stability Control system (I tested it!) is REALLY cool. We were going really fast around in a tight circle, then SC (stability control) kicked in. You hear a beeping noise, and it notifies you on the dash with a blinking light. When SC kicks in, you will feel your foot being pushed off of the accelerator.

The interior is completely different. The dash was moved over to the center, and the shifter is relocated, along with many other items. The shifter used to be right beside the steering wheel, but now it is moved over to right in front of the center console. Don’t get confused, there is plenty of room around the shifter to move. The park button is still a button, and is located above the shifter, to the left. The center console is separated. There is a top and bottom, and a cigarette lighter along with the heated seat switch, if you get package 5 with leather seats.

Compare this (2010 Prius):

With this (2nd Gen Prius):

WAY different, eh? That’s what I said, WOAH!!!

The new Prius is more aerodynamic, which is one factor that gives it its cool shape, and makes it more fuel efficient.

One cool add-on (only available with package 5) is the parallel parking assist. Drive into the parking space, then push the button, and your new Prius will do the rest. Also, another add-on is the Lane Keep Assist, which detects if you start to drift into another lane, and it will turn the steering wheel so that you are driving in the middle of the lane, not on the line.

In the back of the new Prius, there is WAY more room compared to the previous generations. There is an additional Navigation package which is available only on model 3. The new Prius has an all-new Bluetooth feature – AD2P! AD2P is audio playback via Bluetooth. I bet this is pretty cool, and am excited to try it out.

With all of that said, the 2010 3rd Generation Toyota Prius went through some MAJOR changes. You really have to go to your nearest Toyota dealer and check it out!

Pictures:

(screen shown is only available with the Navigation package (only availabe on model 3), and is not on any other model without that package)

(fog lamps shown are only available with the model 5 Prius)

(17 inch wheels shown are only available on the model 5 Prius)

Thanks for reading!!