2010 Prius preview at the Canadian AutoShow
Rosalynn and I were lucky enough to attend a preview event for the new 2010 Prius on Saturday.
Toyota Canada invited about 100 of their nearest and dearest along to the Canadian AutoShow at 8am for breakfast and a good look around the new model. There was a display model that we could climb all over and a second Prius that we could turn on to see some of the new instruments.
I'll stop blabbing and get straight to the photos. Scroll to the bottom if you're interested in our thoughts about the car.
Things we loved about the new 2010 Prius:
- 7% more fuel efficient than the previous Prius
- 22% more powerful (the engine is substantially bigger)
- Styling is still quirky and obviously focused on aerodynamics - the Prius has a drag coefficient of 0.25 (very low apparently)
- Solar roof to heat and cool the car
- Most of the plastic in the interior is manafactured from plant matter in an attempt to cut down on CO2 emissions during manufacturing
- The Prius has 3 modes: Power, Eco and Electric (not the actual names). Electric mode lets you drive short distances, a few kilometers, without using the gas engine
Things we didn't love about the Prius:
- The price. Although not announced yet I suspect the Prius will be very close to $30,000 in Canada - a little out of reach for most people.
Overall Ros and I were pretty excited about the new 2010 Prius. Toyota seem to have made a huge number of improvements while still staying true to the original purpose of the car. It still looks quirky and it is still an outrageously fuel efficient ride. Well done Toyota!
While at the AutoShow we also checked out the Prius' main competition, the Honda Insight. Stay tuned for a post about that car soon.
About Pema Hegan
A Kiwi living in Canada.
I love music, obsess over architecture, ride my bike most days and miss the ocean.
I'm a partner and managing director at Rethink Toronto.
Before that I founded and then sold GigPark, a social web startup. And before that I was the founding editor-in-chief of the Canadian media company, Dose.
Find me here
pema.hegan (at) gmail (dot) com
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February 17th, 2009 - 23:55
Hi Pema:
Thanks for the post. Looks like a car for the times. Always great to hear a non-professional review…take care!
Ashish
February 18th, 2009 - 08:45
Thanks Ashish – glad you found it useful.
Ros and I need to lease a new car in June so we’re trying to decide between the Prius and the Honda Insight. We like the Prius best but I have a feeling the Insight will be substantially cheaper.
February 19th, 2009 - 06:29
Man – I can’t believe they invited you given your public experience last year. You must be a very influential blogger type, whom they want to butter up. Congrats you have made it!
February 20th, 2009 - 11:20
No, definitely not a “very influential blogger type” sorry Michael :). Toyota were just kind to let me come along, that’s all.
And yeah, I did have an absolutely terrible experience with a Toyota dealer last year – worst customer service experience of my life. The Toyota people at the event explained what happened and apologized to me though. And they seemed to take to heart my suggestion that when things go drastically wrong, like they did for me, Toyota head office should communicate better with the customers.
February 21st, 2009 - 05:18
I agree. Toyata (and other main manufacturers) need to step up when their front men fall over.
My other favourite blog is the Fat Cyclist. Industry falls over to give that guy stuff. Has had some realy funny observations on riding, and is also doing great work for cancer.
I reckon the Honda is the G O.
February 22nd, 2009 - 17:31
I reckon the Honda might be the go too – just waiting to see the pricing. The Prius looks like a much better car but I think it’ll also be a much more expensive car!
Also – just added Fat Cyclist to my RSS reader. Thanks for the tip Michael!