The 2010 Prius in-depth review - review video

Even though we're on the final stages of editing the actual in-depth review of the Canadian 2010 Prius, we opted to make the wait less painful by releasing the video review earlier.



At the end of the video you'll also find a summary of the observed fuel economy along with the set of techniques we used for our testing.

However, I will also attempt to answer a couple questions regarding the maximum fuel economy economy we achieved in this car, but before doing so allow me to provide an appropriate context:
- The numbers I will mention are the "displayed fuel economy" and not the actual consumption (hand calculated). Please note that the Prius III tends to overestimate its displayed fuel economy.
- These numbers were recorded on a "per trip segment" and also under somewhat favorable conditions (low speed and light traffic)
- Low speed pulse and glide was often the preferred technique under these scenarios.

Anyway, under the conditions mentioned above, our best fuel economy was recorded at 1.8 L/100km over a ~11+ KM segment... but as some of us know, sustaining these numbers over longer distances is an entirely different matter and may require a bit more work and focus.

Enjoy

A snapshot of this year's HybridFest 2009 (GreenDrive Expo)

Another year and another HybridFest - a yearly event dedicated to alternative fuel vehicles.

Almost ritually, this event takes place in Madison, Wisconsin during the third week of July (July 17-20) and attracts hybrid owners as well as manufacturers from many states and provinces across the continent.

The group photo captured the vehicles that participated in the MPG competition which took place on Friday 17. This MPG competition pits the owners of hybrid and other fuel efficient vehicles against a 42km (26 miles) course.

Here are the results for this MPG competition:

			Vehicle (Make,Model)	Class/Division	L/100KM - MPG US	% Above EPA
			Honda Insight (Manual)	1	1.92 l/100km - 122.4	135.4%
			Honda Insight (Manual)	1	2.17 l/100km - 108.8	109.2%
			Honda Insight (CVT)	1	2.64 l/100km - 89.3	90.0%
			Honda Insight (Manual)	1	2.54 l/100km - 92.5	77.9%
			Honda Insight (CVT)	1	3.30 l/100km - 71.2	51.5%
			Honda Insight (Manual)	1	3.07 l/100km - 76.5	47.1%
			Honda Insight (Manual)	1	3.09 l/100km - 75.9	45.9%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	2.73 l/100km - 86.0	87.0%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	2.74 l/100km - 85.7	86.3%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	2.81 l/100km - 83.5	81.5%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	2.92 l/100km - 80.4	74.7%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.00 l/100km - 78.3	70.2%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.05 l/100km - 76.9	67.2%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.28 l/100km - 71.7	55.9%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.38 l/100km - 69.5	51.0%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.54 l/100km - 66.4	44.4%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.69 l/100km - 63.7	38.5%
			Toyota Prius Gen 3	2	3.41 l/100km - 68.8	37.6%
			Toyota Prius Gen 3	2	3.44 l/100km - 68.2	36.4%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2	2	3.86 l/100km - 60.9	32.5%
			Honda Civic Hybrid: All	3	3.29 l/100km - 71.5	70.2%
			Toyota Prius Gen 1	3	3.93 l/100km - 59.7	45.6%
			Honda Civic Hybrid: All	3	3.97 l/100km - 59.2	41.0%
			Toyota Camry Hybrid	4	3.71 l/100km - 63.3	86.1%
			Toyota Camry Hybrid	4	4.42 l/100km - 53.2	56.5%
			Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD	5	5.13 l/100km - 45.8	69.6%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2 (PHEV)	6	1.21 l/100km - 195.0	323.9%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2 (PHEV)	6	1.42 l/100km - 165.0	258.7%
			Toyota Prius Gen 2 (PHEV)	6	2.01 l/100km - 117.0	154.4%
			Honda CRX 1991	7	3.61 l/100km - 65.1	141.0%
			Volkswagen Golf TDI 2001 (Man)	7	2.70 l/100km - 86.8	128.4%
			Honda Civic CX (Man)	7	3.80 l/100km - 61.8	62.6%
			Saturn Aura XE 4 Cyl	7	6.79 l/100km - 34.6	33.1%

Among other fun activities and events there were technical discussions and vehicle manufacturer presentations (Ford Fusion hybrid, and others) which took place at the Clarion Hotel. The nearby Alliant Energy Centre was also home to the expo component of this 3 day event, where many players in the fuel efficient automotive field demonstrated their products and services.

As usual, we (CleanMPG) had our opportunity to evangelize the benefits of safe and efficient driving to many of the attendees.

Here's a video covering the "Talk to a hybrid owner" session and also the exhibits at the Expo Centre:


Cheers

Optimistic Fuel Consumption Displays - or just another case of "No second chance for first impressions" ?

You finally decided to visit your local dealer in hopes of taking a brand new hybrid for a spin. You get in the car and the salesperson kindly shows you the basics about the vehicle and also clears the MPG-L/100Km trip display and you depart. Along the way, you observe very good fuel economy and the final numbers displayed at the end of the test drive become nothing less than "the cherry on the cake".

Yes, you are impressed. And that impression tied in with the unmatched smooth and silent driving experience remains in your mind; tempting and seducing you... at least until a few weeks later at the pump!

OK. Perhaps not all of us purchase a fuel efficient hybrid based solely on the fuel economy numbers we achieve in a first test drive. But, wouldn't many people be tempted to make a purchase decision primarily hinging on this factor alone?

As many of us already know, some hybrids have always been calibrated to slightly overestimate the displayed fuel economy... and now that Honda also appears to have returned to the practice with their 2010 Insight (see our in depth review of the 2010 Insight for details) then why not have it escalate to the next level?

In the case of the new 2010 Prius: How does a 3-7 MPG (US) overestimate sound?
It appears that the discrepancy is larger when highly focused and fuel efficient driving is employed whereas the gap seems lessened when the vehicle is driven in less optimal ways.


How do we determine that "instrumented overestimates" are occurring?

Carefully and patiently top of the tank until you see the fuel level, then reset the trip meter of your choice and drive. At a later date/time, return to your favorite pump and refill to the same level as before and calculate your vehicle's actual fuel consumption by hand. Do this just several times and you will have your confirmation.

NOTE: While topping off an AT-PZEV rated vehicle on a regular basis and in this fashion is not a recommended practice, a few times will certainly not compromise your vehicle's evaporative emissions system.

Wasn't it always like this?

Mostly yes, but still... while some "up or down" deviation is acceptable, this much will inevitably be noticed.


Comments?

New hybrid added to the home fleet

Even though my wife grew attached to her 2007 Honda Civic Hybrid, she has now accepted her new upcoming car: a 2010 Toyota Prius.

Why the change? Toyota improved the new car on a good collection of issues that lessened her previous Prius experience (a 2007 model), namely the overall human interface and driver accommodations to the point that she now thinks the 2010 Prius is a natural step up from her HCH-II. Of course, winter time performance on a couple of areas is also something that made her 2007 Prius also a little less exciting, but that too was something Toyota did not ignore in the redesign of the 2010 Prius.

So, what was wrong with her current Civic hybrid?
Nothing really. The 2007 Civic is an admirable performer and we are both sorry to see it go. It is a refined, solid, efficient, quiet, smooth, clean and extremely safe and dependable hybrid vehicle... Its just that with the new Prius she will be able to further reduce her fuel consumption (to match mine) without any big changes to her driving routine.

Anyway, I just hope its next owner gives her 2007 HCH a good home that is worthy of its amazing Eco potential.

Her new Prius (a Sandy Beach Metallic) is on its way and it is indeed good to become a Honda and Toyota hybrid household again.

And why not? In my books, these vehicles remain the best performing hybrid vehicles on our market today.

Cheers;

2010 Toyota Prius - In depth review (coming soon)

Yes, finally !!!!

The updated version of the legendary hybrid vehicle we know and love is finally available to Canadians!

Toyota listened to many of the requests from earlier owners and factored in so many improvements that we're going to have a field day just mentioning the most relevant ones!

As usual, our review will not seek to duplicate what the mainstream automotive media does. Nope, we suspect you want to know the kinds of things that even your Toyota salesperson does not know... and on this note, we have quite a bit of detail in store for you. And how about a comparison between the 2010 Prius and its main competitors from Honda, the 2010 Insight and the existing HCH-II?

Still, if you cannot wait for our assessment of this car's true potential, I humbly suggest you get started by visiting your local dealer and taking one on a test drive. Trust us, you will not regret it.

But, if you decide to wait we promise you'll be far better informed when you finally take that test drive.

Cheers;