A Little Engine that Did: Tamara Warren & Lee Quinones take on the 2010 Toyota Prius

When it comes to the hybrid game, Toyota leads the pack, and with its latest intro, continues to set the place. The 2010 Toyota Prius is on the prowl, ready to throw a wrench in everyone else’s hybrid game. Put-putting along at low speeds to achieve maximum fuel economy, the Prius takes the hobby to a whole new interactive level, with technology that is accessible and easy to operate, and endless mpg streaming. (We’ve heard 70 mpg rumors, but unfortunately we don’t have the eco-minded patience to achieve such feats in the Gotryke Garage.) We spent a week in the Prius, being regular, which is at the end of the day what most Prius owners will do, averaging about 50 mpg. That means conducting errands in busy traffic, and making cross-town jaunts to art events and practical stops at grocery stores. We even tested the baby seat and stroller component with our starring backseat 1-yr old evaluator. Truth be told, the baby factor sometimes knocks small cars out of the game, with proportions that cancel out the passenger’s hope of leg room. For a small contender, the Prius survived our gear test. So what do we think about the looks and feel?

It’s a whole new look for the Prius in 2010, but it still looks like, eh, a Prius – a space-age four-door hatchback that seats five people, or three adults and one baby seat.Prius is a polarizing stand out that sends a strong marketing message about the driver that’s entirely intentional: “Look at me, I’m as green as they come.” This message is preserved with subtle adjustments that make for a more pleasing aesthetic.

While the outside says new, it’s what on the inside that will capture the most buyers in 134 hp of conscious-minded performance. That hybrid benchmark inside consists of a 1.8-liter gasoline engine that makes 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. (And yes, for the umpteenth time, hybrids still rely on gasoline.) What creates the efficiency is the two electric motors working alongside CVT (continuously variable transmission, if you must know.)

The interior is defined by modernity — stripped, clean minimalism, offset by hi-tech uses of lighting. The past generations were stripped down, on speculation to save weight and create efficiency, but here is an effective of marriage of design and minimalistic theory.

Prius excels in stop and go situations, which is why it is best for city folks. Regenerative braking system recycles energy that’s usually lost. The Prius has begun the task of assimilating — that means an interior that feels more like a car and less like a rocket ship than it’s early models. Back then, of course, it was forward thinking to drive a Prius, early green adapter style. Now it’s just common sense. So here we have it a hybrid with common sense for an era that sorely is looking for some rational purchase decisions.

While our cars evolve, not everyone is hyped at how the driving experience changes with the thrust of new technology or green sense. Lee Quinones, a classicist car fan, with the critical eye for art and desing, is not loving the new Prius. Lee tries to stay away from new technology at any cost necessary. We thought it would be interesting to see what a classic car fan thought of the new gen Prius:

I have not to much to say about this car. This car can be a little deceiving with the looks. It looks rather cute with its arrow nose and slick sides. The back end deck is not for me. That rear hatch window, is practical for visual reasons, looks out of proportion with the cliff side drop off on the rear panel.

The el-cheapo plastic interior is not my flavor of the month. Certain pieces are badly attached and at the price margin that it exist, maybe they should just keep it on the shelf. Power from the ………..was non at any altitude, even down hill — which is probably their point, but not mine. Next exit, Drawing board please.

While the Prius isn’t for everyone, neither are hybrids. There’s plenty to choose from with diesel and small-engines providing good fuel economy and the high end electric options on the market like the Fisker Karma and the Tesla. What the Prius does for the marketplace is to add a competitive flair to the sea of hybrids, pushing the envelope. Prius sends a message and a dare — can you get 70 mpg plus? Bet.
*photography provided by manufacturer.
More Gotryke Green:
No batteries required: Nissan Leaf
The Greening of BMW Manufacturing
Ford Fusion Hybrid on Mean Detroit Streets

More Gotryke on Toyota;
Toyota Highlander

More on Toyota Prius

• 2010 Toyota Prius: Larger Engine = More MPGs? (lockergnome.com)
• Honda has two more hybrids coming, expect more from other manufacturers soon (crunchgear.com)
• More Photos, Details On Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Concept (blogs.thecarconnection.com)
• Frankfurt Motor Show: Toyota Auris Hybrid (telegraph.co.uk)

Tagged as: Electric motor, Fisker Karma, Fuel economy in automobiles, Toyota, Toyota Prius