The Real Deal?
Many of you will have seen by now photographs on sites like PriusChat, Jalopnik and AutoblogGreen of a vehicle said to be the new Prius.
We thought we’d take a moment to confirm that the car shown in these unauthorized photos – at least the ones we’ve seen so far - is indeed the new Prius.
Sorry, we’re not able to provide details. Those will be forthcoming when the car is formally introduced at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
What we can tell you, however, is this: This new Prius will retain all of the virtues of the model that precedes it. It’s about the same size as its forebear, but with more interior room and better fuel economy. But you expected nothing less, right?
Tune in January 11-13 for more information.
- Jon F. Thompson, Editor, Open Road
The center console is really awful. The LCD display is too low - you will no longer be able to see outside while looking at the GPS. And those tiny air vents above the display is too small and too high to be useful for shorter people.
Posted by: J in MN | October 16, 2008 at 11:32 AM
so basically the photos are real, and the car will have two different headlights on each side of the car?
Posted by: brian | October 16, 2008 at 12:00 PM
I must say, it's a step up from the current Prius, but I'm not a huge fan of the stub-nose "snout" thing going on, and the foglights remind me of the Matrix.
The center console looks cool, but I'm afraid the 45 degree slant on it will be tough for drivers to reach everything, dependent on height.
I'm looking forward to seeing it at NAIAS.
Posted by: Automoblog.net | October 16, 2008 at 02:44 PM
I am a current Prius owner. I must say I really dislike the new front-end, it looks like a mashup of various other Toyota cars. I drove a 09 Matrix for a few days and didn't like the center console, from the photos I don't like it on this new Prius either. Please come out with a nice-looking upscale Lexus version of this so I can put one in my garage! I like the dash other than the console, it looks more mainstream and upscale. I can't wait to here more about mileage figures soon. Oh yeah, one more thing. We in North America would like the EV mode button enabled on this next generation Prius :-)
Posted by: Swanny | October 16, 2008 at 07:07 PM
As much as I didn't like the looks of the old Prius, this one is much easier on the eyes. I can't wait for the folks in MS to start building this one.
Posted by: Brian | October 16, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Why has no one else noticed that the pictures are fake? The headlights are completely different in the two shots!!
Posted by: Adrian | October 16, 2008 at 08:14 PM
it sound like the rumors about the 2010 toyota prius is almost true. We shall wait for the official announcement from toyota.
Posted by: auto parts | October 17, 2008 at 02:08 AM
For all that keep saying the headlights are different and therefore the pictures must be fake...You are right, they are different...different perspectives! Seriously, the two photos are from completely different perspective angles so obviously the lights will appear different in a 2 dimentional photo. They are the same style headlight...
"Geez, my computer screen looks wide and rectangular from straight on but square when viewed from the side. Hmmm, I know, someone keep swapping my screen out with another one! There are two different screens!" LOL
Posted by: Chris | October 17, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I have a 2008 System 2, I plan on going to Canada. It is mandatory to have rated "Daytime Running Lights". How can I install these in my car?
Posted by: Richard Flowers | October 17, 2008 at 01:45 PM
oh-no! really??? i'm a proud prius 08 owner and i would never consider this 2010 version if the interior looks anything like those images. the center console looks horrible!!! and does it really connect the dashboard to the center of the car?
i'm 6'4" and one of the reasons i love my prius is that it doesn't have a crappy center console that blocks my right leg from resting comfortably while bent and driving.
i truly hope that the interior looks nothing like the images i've seen. one of the best aspect of the prius is the simple dashboard and clean interior. don't screw it up!!!
Posted by: Tim | October 17, 2008 at 03:07 PM
I hope that before the real thing hits the assembly line, Toyota will do something to address the problem of visibility from the interior. From the photos, it looks like the front pillars are essentially unchanged - blocking huge swaths of the driver's view to the front and left. This is unsafe and in my view unacceptable. I really want to love my Prius, but I will not buy another one unless driver visibility is improved.
Posted by: Dana | October 17, 2008 at 05:16 PM
Surely hope something is being done to raise the front -- My '05 scrapes bottom on almost every driveway.
Toyota: You've got a good thing. Don't move so fast on changes.
Posted by: JOANNA SPAULDING | October 18, 2008 at 08:31 AM
Why do the Honda Insight and Toyota Prius look so similar?
Posted by: Sid | October 19, 2008 at 07:18 AM
I think that the YM2010 looks way better than the old one. Up to now, I was waiting for the new Honda Insight to arrive to dealers in order to buy it, but now I will wait to see the new Prius live. I only hope that it will be a bit fun to drive, cause I have driven the old one and I hated it.
Posted by: Constantine | October 19, 2008 at 12:40 PM
i'm looking forward to the 2010 prius. aside from increased mileage and efficiency, there's only 1 thing i'd really like to see and that is an upgraded cabin...beginning with seat comfort over longer distances and ending with the interior plastics which feel like they've been taken from a low-end corolla.
the prius isn't a low-end vehicle and i'm hoping the new model recognizes that.
Posted by: david | October 19, 2008 at 10:46 PM
@Automoblog.net
There's a reason why the nose of the car is designed like that and the answer is aerodynamics (and we know what better aerodynamics translates into). Some of the best aerodynamics comes from having a nose shaped like a duck bill.
A classic example would be the bullet train in Japan. It adopted a duck bill styled nose.
http://www.trustedreviews.com/images/article/inline/5815-BulletTrain.jpg
Posted by: ManagerJosh | October 20, 2008 at 01:52 AM
I can't find where the cup holders might be - if they screw that up it could be a "kill factor" for the design. Essential for safety and convenience. My '08 has two in front, two in rear.
And I sure hope I'm not seeing round, analog style gauges in the dash.
Posted by: Gary Eickmeier | October 20, 2008 at 05:26 AM
The Unauthorized Prius Photos…a Little Clarification:
As I’ve been closely following the comments section on our blog and many others the past week, I’ve noticed many readers questioning the headlamps on the vehicle. While there’s not a lot I can add to the story right now, I can tell you the two reasons the headlamps look so different in the two different unauthorized photos.
1.) The photos where pulled from a video being produced for a Toyota event…hence the blurry screen capture quality of the shots.
2.) It seems the person responsible for leaking the images tweaked the perspective of the photos by resizing them improperly
While I realize this doesn’t answer all your questions, I wanted clarify some of the misconceptions regarding these leaked photos.
Scott DeYager
Toyota Corporate Communications
Posted by: Scott DeYager | October 20, 2008 at 02:32 PM
The dash and especially the console look horrible! I also like the absence of a console so there is more leg room for both driver and passenger. My wife has a Lexus RX and I had an ES 300 before this, my second Prius. I dislike the lack of leg room in both of them. Fortunately I rarely drive the RX, but I would not buy a Prius with the same problem.
Just put a glare shade over the current LCD/MFD, leave the shifter where it is on the '04-08 models, and leave out a dash connected console.
Posted by: Carl | October 21, 2008 at 03:21 AM
Looks apart, the quintessential questions are: 1) Is fuel economy better? 2) Is performance better? 3) Is it bigger? 4) Is it safer? 5) Is it more ergonomic? 6) Does it handle better? 7) Is it cheaper to own in constant dollar terms?
My take:
a) Economy and performance must BOTH go up to be worth an upgrade.
b) Space improvement would be nice but not essential
c) Safety: The most dangerous aspect of the current Prius is limited rear view; the protophotos show an even more restricted field of rear view -- rear-view camera should be ESSENTIAL.
d) Safety: A very useful safety feature is FRONT AND REAR night-vision/IR cameras for nighttime, fog, rain and snow.
e) Safety: The current Prius front wheels tend to skid too easily on takeoff in poor traction conditions. Part of this is due to mediocre OEM tires (GY Integrity).
f) Economics. I would only upgrade if the total cost of ownership (fuel, maintenance, insurance, repairs, cost of capital/depreciation...) in constant dollar terms. Essentially, the MSRP should be no more than $23,500 in 2008 dollars and warranty should be extended to 4 or 5 years.
Posted by: Sean | October 21, 2008 at 08:29 AM
I like it especially the center console. Nice job! I hope the front seats have more adjustments available than recline. As long as the Prius has better seats, and the interior space and gas mileage increase, I plan on buying it. Can't wait to see it in person.
Posted by: Don | October 21, 2008 at 10:19 AM
The car isn't even out yet and you are all complaining about badly scaled, grainy photos... all five of them. Just be patient and wait till it comes out and official pics are available.
Posted by: KS | October 21, 2008 at 05:03 PM
I I'm exited about the 2009 Venza SUV coming out. I can't wait tell it comes out to the public. I can't wait to drive one!
Posted by: Josef Holzer | October 25, 2008 at 08:09 PM
My wife drives a 2003 Prius and she just rolled over 150,000 miles. I finally had to install 2 new front tires. The brakes are still original and we have NEVER had a problem with the car. We love it.
Posted by: Jim Miller | November 20, 2008 at 11:15 PM
I want to vent a bit about "official" info being withheld until January. I very much want a new Prius.
I could buy one now--and get a great deal (end of year, etc) or I could wait for Spring to be able to buy a "phantom" 2010 Prius.
How can I make a decision without the correct information on the 2010? Why is this silly carshow defining for you when and where you will release information demanded by the BUYING public?
Since I'm having to wait for any information, maybe I'll just buy another brand (heresy!).
Posted by: JOANNA SPAULDING | December 06, 2008 at 04:02 PM
I would just like to say, out of 25 comments that i read about the 2009 Prius- 23 of that were bad. I have a 2004 Prius and i love it. Maybe you all need to buy American Cars and see what your gas mileage is! See how well they are made!
Posted by: joe spaulding | December 17, 2008 at 12:23 PM
I am a current Prius owner, but if the new Prius has the pictured center console, there is no way I can move forward with Prius. At 6'8", the Prius was the only Hybrid I could fit in comfortably precisely because if did not have a center console as pictured. Too bad, I was hoping my next car could be a Prius too.
Posted by: Steve | December 17, 2008 at 12:24 PM
Toyota missed the boat on this new design. What happened to the design cues of the hybrid-x vehicle, particularly the down-sloping windshield which enveloped the headlights?
I have a feeling that Honda's new Insight is going to steal some of Toyota's thunder. The new Insight just looks better.
I will have to agree with Swanny that while I am a current Prius owner, the new design is very disappointing.
I hope some jazzy prius-like model will be offered by Lexus.
Toyota played it too safe with this Corolla-like body style.
Posted by: Michael | December 18, 2008 at 10:37 AM