Toyota leads the car industry in hybrid technology and nothing proves it more than the 2010 Prius. This four door sedan seats five people and is the third generation of hybrid technology. It is redesigned with a sleek, stylish new look in addition to its fuel efficiency, averaging 50 miles per gallon. There are four trims available, and three upgrade packages that can be added to create a customized vehicle. The Prius has seven exterior color choices, with six shades of gray or bisque with the option of fabric or leather.
The Smart Key remote comes standard in every trim. As long as the key is in close proximity, the doors will automatically unlock when the door handle is touched. Without needing to retrieve the key, the driver can press the power button, start the vehicle and begin driving. Another standard feature involves the break gear for going downhill. While it does use more of the cars energy to slow it down, it does avoid the use of the breaks and prolongs the life of the break pads.
The four trims are Prius II (the standard model), Prius III, Prius IV and Prius V. All of the vehicles are the same externally with the exception of the tires. II, III, and IV all have 15 inch spoke wheels, while the V features 17 inch wheels that not only add to the aesthetics, but the performance as well. Each comes with a factory 3 years, 36,000 miles basic warranty, 5 years 60,000 miles power train warranty and an 8 years, 100000 miles hybrid battery warranty for the hybrid system.
Some of the key differences between the trim are the package options. No packages can be added to the Prius II, but Navigation package can be added to the III, IV and V. It includes a navigation system that uses a touch screen and can be voice activated. With eight speakers, owners will be able to clearly hear their directions, or plug into a Bluetooth or iPod for music streaming. It also provides the ability to use satellite radio or XM NavTraffic and a back up camera.
The Solar Roof package can only be added to the Prius III and IV. This upgrades the vehicle with a moon roof, Solar Powered Ventilations System as well as an air conditioning system that can be activated by remote. While this is unavailable for the Prius V, an Advance Technology package can be purchased. This includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control that slows down the speed of the vehicle when coming up on another vehicle, Lane Keep Assist that keeps the vehicle inside the lanes when driving, and Intelligent Parking Assist that activates as the driver presses the button; the car will steer itself into the correct parking position.