The third-generation 2010 Toyota Prius, officially unveiled at the Detroit auto show in January 2009, went on sale last April. The updated Prius is bigger and more powerful. The engine grew from 1.5 liters to 1.8 liters—giving a boost in horsepower from 110 to 134, and thereby reducing zero-to-60 time by a full second. In addition, the body is about four inches longer and about an inch wider. Despite the added power and size, the 2010 Toyota Prius becomes the only vehicle available today to offer 50 miles per gallon in combined city/highway driving.

Bells and Whistles

The previous Prius had loads of gizmos—including keyless entry, joystick shifter, high-tech energy monitor, and a rear-view camera system. Toyota throws even more technology at the new model.

For the first time, the Prius offers a moonroof and heated seats. The sliding glass moonroof, packaged with a slick-looking solar panel, provides power to a new ventilation system that doesn’t require help from the gas engine. Not only does the AC system keep the interior air temperature from heating up when the vehicle is parked (thus reducing the time/energy needed to cool things down), the system can be operated remotely to heat or cool the cabin before getting into the car. (That’s a neat trick even if the rooftop solar panels don’t produce enough energy to power the wheels.)

Three driving modes are now available: Power, Economy and EV. Power improves throttle response; economy reduces throttle response for better gas mileage; and with a flip of the dashboard EV button, the car can go about one mile at low speeds without using any gasoline.

An optional radar system using advanced millimeter waves enables “Lane Keep Assist” to help the driver stay safely within the lane, and the “Pre-Collision System” retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable. Intelligent parking offers settings to help guide the Prius into parking spaces. A backup monitor, which provides a view of rear obstacles when reverse is engaged, is available with an optional voice-activated navigation system.

The new touch sensor system on the steering wheel helps keep the driver’s eyes on the road. Images of the switches and their positions are shown on the instrument panel directly in front

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