2010 Toyota Prius

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Interior - What the Auto Press Says

The passenger cabin of the 2010 Toyota Prius offers more space in every dimension than previous editions of the car.  Its seats, reviewers say, are significantly more comfortable for 2010 as well.  The excellent fit and finish Toyota is known for is present in this car, as well.

• "When you sit in the 2010 Toyota Prius, you notice all those little things that provide the 'Prius experience' - the shift lever, information screen, center-mounted instrument panel - are all present, but they're slightly different and noticeably improved" -- Autoblog
• "The Prius interior is not what you'd call luxurious, but it still represents an upgrade over the previous car's and is certainly roomier and more plush than the cabin of the new Honda Insight. Cabin ergonomics and the displays that monitor the activities of the Hybrid Synergy Drive system are top-notch." - Automobile Magazine
• " Automotive journalists often struggle to describe how one interior feels more upscale than another, or how one type of plastic can feel cheap and another won't - these things just are. With the Prius, Toyota made a number of good choices on both materials and eye-pleasing color combinations." -- Cars.com
• "As for the cabin tech, it's a minor step above what can be had in the current model. The navigation system has improved menu graphics, but is largely the same. It does incorporate live traffic now, a welcome addition. For the audio system, the Prius has a disc slot behind the LCD, satellite radio, and an auxiliary input. The big addition for audio sources is Bluetooth streaming audio, but we would still like to see either a USB port or iPod integration." -- CNET
• "The Prius is also a nicer place to spend time, with more room in the rear seat for big boys and girls, nicer materials and a lot of fancy tech features that are fun to use." -- Jalopnik

Seating

The 2010 Toyota Prius features large, comfortable seats with plentiful room in both front and rear.  A few reviewers say the switches that control the available seat warmers, however, are oddly placed.  Some reviewers also complain that excessive road noise interferes with passenger comfort.

• " The front seats are noticeably wider, more adjustable, and more supportive, addressing a major customer complaint." -- Automobile Magazine
• "Shorter drivers in particular may appreciate the new height-adjustable seat and telescopic steering wheel. Standard cloth seats are softer than most, and some may feel they lack support, but the leather seats on IV and V models are firmer." -- Consumer Guide
• "The front seats have really been upgraded, a project Toyota says it spent a lot of time on. The new model is definitely more comfortable. Even with the base model's fabric seats, there's plenty of cushioning on the bottom and plenty of support for the back. The leather seats in the top two trim levels are quite nice, and they definitely up the ante in terms of luxury." -- Cars.com
• " Unfortunately, there are also downsides to the revised interior. Foremost on our list of things we don't like are the heated seat switches, which have bizarrely been located down by the driver's feet. We predict a class action lawsuit filed by completely detestable human beings who couldn't figure out that they probably shouldn't attempt to operate these controls on the move." -- Jalopnik
• " With some new materials, moldings and seat frames, there's more room in the front cabin and a little more legroom in the back." -- Los Angeles Times

Interior Features

The materials used in the passenger cabin of the Prius are of high quality.  The ergonomic design pleases most reviewers.  A new "Touch Tracer Display" has won raves from reviewers, but redesigned graphics that display power utilization have not.

• " One of the standard features I thought was a terrific use of technology is what Toyota calls the Touch Tracer display. When you place your finger on the steering-wheel control for the radio or climate system, a display pops up in the dash where vehicle speed and other readouts are housed...The display highlights what control your finger is over, and once you visually confirm which button your finger is on, all you have to do is press down slightly harder to make your selection." -- Cars.com
• "One change we don't like so much is that Toyota removed the power flow animation and trip data from the LCD. Instead, this information is shown on the instrument cluster, which, as on the previous Prius, sits in a long display just below the windshield. Unfortunately, the graphics on the instrument cluster are far inferior to what was shown on the LCD. Toyota made this change so that even if you didn't get the optional navigation system, you would still get the power flow display. We think it's time the LCD was standard." -- CNET
• "While the Prius uses a similarly functional economy gauge to the Honda Insight and Ford Fusion Hybrid, Toyota's falls behind both in usefulness and far behind Ford's in looks." -- Jalopnik