2010 Toyota Prius reviews

Toyota Prius T3 2010

Looking for economy that can be handled on a pension I looked at several makes that have low RFL and good MPG. My car at the time was the Audi A4 Avant and my wife had a 150bhp Zafira Auto. The test drive was a revelation because not only is the Prius big and roomy inside its very quiet and rapid (for its power/weight ratio). So far trundling about town I get 45mpg. (most trips are 2 miles with a max of 12 in town traffic of Ipswich. We’ve yet to do a long run but would expect around 50, which compares with my Audi. Where I shall miss out is in the midrange acceleration and at the top end. Both the Audi and Zafira would do the 50-100+ in very short order. I don’t expect to corner on rails but it’s still very stable when driven "correctly" or sensibly. Remember economy comes from driving with a good understanding of what the traffic around you is doing so that brakes are rarely used. If you need them the Prius has very good brakes and for long downhill stretches there is the engine brake on the gear-change. So far Toyota reliability and build quality is very good. The "acid test" is would I buy another? Big YES. My Prius is the 1500cc and even though the 1800 is only a little faster on the 0-60 it would I think be more economic on the motorways. Where my Audi was "outstanding" the Prius is "very good". If it continues with the same reliabilty as the Audi it will gain even more points. Curiously the one thing that is not advised is "tweaking" the engine computer for more BHP.