It even outsold the tiny 660cc minicars and remained the overall best selling hybrid electric cars. According to the US Department of Energy, the Prius 2010 EPA Ratings for MPG are 51 for City travel and 48 for Highway. The previous 2009 Prius car MPG ratings are 48 for City travel and 45 for Highway. The slightly lower MPG was due to smaller 1.5L, 4-Cylinder engine capacity of the previous model and better fuel saving technology employed by Toyota.Prius 2010 boasts an intelligent energy management system that can use both its 98hp 1.8L engine or its 80hp electric motor or either depending on driving needs.
It also charges the battery while moving and braking. The Toyota badge, front and back has an added bluish glow to differentiate hybrid Prius from the other fossil fueled Toyotas. It has a minimal drag with super sleek rating of 0.25Cd, being one of the most aerodynamic mass production cars in the world that makes pruis with the best car gas mileageThere is no slot on the dash for you to place the Smart Entry & Start Key Fob. You can start the car with the key inside your pocket or handbag. Just step and hold the brake pedal down and push the “Power” button. There is no fossil fuel engine firing up but just a “Ready” sign lighting up on the instrument panel indicating the Prius car is ready to go.
Just release the parking brakes and shift the car into “D.” Light tap on the throttle, the Pruis moves forward quietly except for the sound of tires rubbing against asphalt. The Pruis initially takes off on battery power while the gasoline engine does not start until the car reaches a certain speed. However there is a silent and seamless transition from electric to gasoline engine and the differences can only be felt by a sudden power boost. Harder acceleration sees the gasoline and electric motor running at the same time to give maximum power performance. The gasoline engine will shut down at slow cruising speed reverting back to electric thereby reducing gas consumption. Lifting off the throttle pedal also causes the Pruis to automatically shut down the gasoline engine and activate the regenerative braking. This feature is where the braking energy is converted into electricity and stored in the special nickel metal hydride battery unit.You can have the option of running solely on electric by the push of the EV (Electric Vehicle) button on the dash especially in slow traffic condition. As long as the battery has enough energy and the speed does not exceed 25 mph, the Pruis continues to be in electric mode.
For competitive Prius cost estimates be sure to visit the links on the right hand panel of this blog. You can make Prius cost comparison between the latest 2010 Prius and other previous Prius car models from year 2000 to 2010.
