by David Riel

Created on: February 07, 2010   Last Updated: February 09, 2010

The 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid delivers on fuel economy, space, and style.  Although the Prius, and the hybrid technology it ues, have been around for awhile, the 2010 Prius has some improved technology that makes this Toyota a real contender for best hybrid car honors 

Concerning its fuel economy, the EPA rates the 2010 Prius at 50 mpg city and 39 highway.  Those are the official numbers.  But there are reports of some drivers achieving results as

high as 75 mpg.

These drivers have made maximum use of the Prius's advanced technology including its new battery-only EV driving mode, and have been able to eke out even more mileage from each sip of gas their Prius takes.

The improved technology in the 2010 Prius includes better aerodynamic drag of only .25.  This is a remarkable number for a production car and goes a long way to explain the Prius's great gas mileage.

Another improvement is the reconfigured powertrain which weighs less without sacrificing performance.

And, believe it or not, by increasing the displacement of its 4 cylinder engine from 1.6 to 1.8 litres the engineers at Toyota have actually increased the Prius's fuel efficiency.

The 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid is a roomy vehicle.  You don't have to sacrifce space and comfort to enjoy its high mileage results.  It has room for passengers and plenty of cargo storage space.

And the 2010 Prius, while not as fancy perhaps as the Nissan Altima,  is a nice looking car.  Its  wedge-stance combine with its sleek arrow-inflected head lamps and tail lamps to create a sporty design.

The sticker price of  $21,750.00 is the biggest knock against this Toyota .  It's nearest competitor, the Honda Insight, is priced under $20,000.

For our money, however, the Prius is a roomier ride, with a more high-end feel. 

And you may be able to do better than the sticker price if you shop around, which would turn the Prius into a real bargain.

Some have criticized the handling of the 2010 Prius, saying that it still rides and handles like a hybrid.  We'd suggest you test-drive it for yourself, and test-drive the Nissan Altima, and Honda Insight as well.  In our opinion the Prius handling is comparable to its peers, although your driving conditions may lead you to a different conclusion.

Finally, some taller drivers have complained that the console design of the Prius has left them with less knee room.  Again, only a test drive can ensure that you won't have this problem.

The 2010 Toyota Prius hybrid has a lot going for it, from its sporty design to its spacious interior.  Best of all is its great gas mileage, which makes it an excellent investment if you've decided to purchase a hybrid car.

Source: Improve Gas Mileage Guide

Learn more about this author, David Riel.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.