2010 Third Generation Toyota Prius makes strides
by Fatimah and Natu Ali
A certain kind of person buys a Toyota Prius. They're probably already entrenched in a green life style, so purchasing this hybrid makes perfect sense to them in furthering their actions to help save the planet by reducing their carbon footprint. Prius owners are usually studious people who are well informed because they read a lot. And, they're probably good accountants too, so they're steadfast in their commitment not to overspend on gas. They like fine things but they don't like waste, so with this car they get their cake and get to eat it too. And more and more environmentally conscious corporations are trading in their Lincoln's for the Prius as their company car.
During our latest run of test drives from Toyota's press fleet, we had to work hard to empty our minds of all of the negative news that's been reported about Toyotas over the past several months. It also took us a moment to get used to what we consider to be the Prius' awkward body despite its third make over, which launched a decade ago.
Early hybrids, like this one and the Honda Insight, look like something out of "The Jetsons," you know that Sixties cartoon where the parents drove cars that flew. But climb into the Prius and you'll forget that you're driving a car which looks so strange, because it still keeps that Toyota heart. So far, we haven't run into any of the problems that have been reported in the news. Although the brakes on our test-drive Prius never failed, they aren't exactly stop-on a dime either and could definitely use some improvement
The Prius stokes a different kind of power which is quiet, but you definitely feel its strength once you get on the highway. You also know that it's a hybrid, because it's so quiet; and as with all "full hybrids," it drives a certain way.
The 1.8 Liter gas/electric engine is configured into something called the Atkinson cycle, which combines with 98 hp to make 134 horsepower, (http://www.animatedengines.com/atkinson.shtml), and it doesn't have the roar that get from a bigger V-6. But it does get phenomenal mileage (51 mpg in the city, 48 mpg on the highway), which more than makes up for the less powerfull engine. The Prius is also a lot bigger on the inside than it looks from the outside.
The 60/40 rear bench, fold-down seat means that if were to drive a Prius in a few weeks, when we go to collect our daughter, who's graduating from college, we'd have ample space to help her move to a new apartment. With the seat up, the rear comfortably houses two adults with a child in-between them. Expect to spend in the upper 20's and you'll be able to purchase many standard perks like satellite radio and electronic seats.
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