Used 2010 Toyota Prius Consumer Reviews
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100,000 miles and going strong!
Luis Esparza, 08/21/2015
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
23 of 23 people found this review helpful
This is my second Prius. My first one is a 2005. But right at 100k miles the expensive to replace door lock actuators have become intermittent! Dealer estimate was $1000 to replace them, with an oil change included... Way too expensive for a part that should survive 1 million cycles or more. Even if I used the door locks 10 times per day, for 5 years, thats 91,250 open and close cycles. My 2005 Prius, my T-100, my 2004 Siena have never had any door lock issues. What is the real story Toyota??? The forums are peppered with faulty door lock stories on the more recent Prius models. My dealer gave me some story that Toyota alerted the service centers that air fresheners affect the electronics and thats why my door lock actuators failed?!?!?! Realy!?!?! Typical actuators are $20 to $50, but Toyota decided to charge $350 each... This is a recall candidate and Toyota should make things right. Except for that, I love my Prius. Thats why I plan to buy another one shortly. My 2005 is at 260,000 miles without any major issue. That is why I am so surprised with my 2010 Prius and the lack of integrity from the service center.
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A bulletproof toaster on wheels
Daniel Karol, 11/06/2015
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
64 of 69 people found this review helpful
I went from owning a Bentley GT straight to a Prius III (for cost cut back reasons). All my friends of course laughed and the surprise was fun for everyone. But the choice was truly a good experience. I have to say the hybrid tech is what all cars should have today and this car has the best, seamless integration. Of course the MPG is what people buy this for and yes it does go forever for $20.00. This car is a no brainer to buy for anyone who would like to spend next to nothing. I bought this car used with very little milage. In my opinion I would not recommend to pay MSRP for this car if you are considering it, simply buy a few years older with little milage. I cannot recommend its asking price because you just wont feel good about laying down 35+K for this if you are a car guy. As far as performance, there is none, forget it. Its extremely slow and sounds like the little 4 cylinder is having a hard time. Interior works but its extremely plain and feels like tupperware. Plastics all around. All of the interior fabrics are awful especially the light tan, stains extremely easy and turns dirty. I recommend seat covers. The seats are also not comfortable at all especially for long drives. There is zero luxury in this car, literally none. I dont' care if you go for leather seats option, there is nothing about this car that says luxury. You will feel simple, like your wearing cheap shorts and a t shirt from Walmart. If you are a self respecting person and want to feel great, do not get this car. The hatchback design with seats folded down means you can pretty much stuff your whole bedroom in it, there is a LOT of space. I put a 70" TV in plus more, the room just never runs out, which is awesome. But, I do have to say that this car is bulletproof and will never let you down. You can do whatever you want with her and she will just work. If your looking for a car for extremely long road trips and getting around town for 2 weeks on one tank of gas you cannot go wrong. If you are a car guy and expects to fall in love with the car, good luck.
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2010 Toyota Prius for sale near you
3 of 20 listings
- III Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $6,39920 mi away
- IV Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $8,50012 mi away
- I Hybrid 4dr HatchbackMSRP: $4,4997 mi away
See all 20 listings
Bulletproof Car with lots of great surprises!
SR, 12/05/2016
updated 12/06/2017
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
14 of 14 people found this review helpful
This is the best commuter car out there. The cost is comparable to most normal sedans, but this does so much more than they can. The gas mileage is the main reason you buy one. We drive ours just like a normal car (we dont try to drive slow to save fuel or anything) and we still average 53 mpg. The hatch feature is nice with the folding back seats, and the interior is extremely functional. It's definitely quirky and not your typical sedan interior, but I love it. Lots of storage and all of the controls are right where you'd want them to be. Also, this is the easiest car to park we've ever driven. Yes, its not the fastest car in the world, but it does get up and move. You can keep up with traffic easily, even on Texas interstates where the speed limit is 80.
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Time to buy my 3rd Prius
David, 02/21/2016
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
13 of 13 people found this review helpful
I traded in a 2005 silver Prius for the 2010 and now that the new body is out, it's time to upgrade again. I just love this model. I've driven it to New England and Florida several times (from NJ) and it's very comfortable and easily gets 50mpg on the highway. Not to add all of the storage space!
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Worth every penny
Carlos, 09/05/2015
updated 03/12/2018
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
20 of 21 people found this review helpful
People say you get what you paid for, but with this car you get so much more, and just so you know that I know what I am talking about I had a Cadillac, 2 Honda civic,, 2 accord 1 camry, 1 Subaru, and a Toyota previa and nothing come near close to this car regarding reliability or economy is not just the gas , the brake pads alone last close to 100.000 miles I have about 110.000 miles and beside regular oil changes and the brakes nothing else, the car run smooth no matter how hot or cold is it, the economy is not the greatest in cold weather but that is a fact in every other car, my only complain would be on the handling and the ride. the steering wheel feels like you are in a boat instead of a car, weird and to keep it in an straight line in bad wether (wind,rain or snow) is a chore who would have tought that a hybrid would be synonymous with poor handling harsh ride and poor driving position.
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It won't quit
Bryt, 09/06/2019
updated 03/10/2020
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
This is my second Prius, first was 2005 model I traded in when the A/C went out. My 2010 has 151,000 miles and has never needed any mechanical repairs from wear and tear. I did get in an accident 8 months ago, I T-boned another car at around 35-40mph and my airbags did not go off, I'm not sure if that's normal or not. I got a concussion as a result of the accident, but I was relieved the car was able to be repaired and not totaled - $5,000 of cosmetic damage covered by the other driver's insurance. This car has been to about 25 states on road trips and I never have any issues with comfort or fuel economy, and have never had to worry about reliability on long trips. I have driven it from Florida/Georgia to Minnesota and back numerous times, driving upwards of 16 hours a day and it never has a hiccup. I have all season tires and have no issue in snow/ice in Minnesota since getting them. I love the hatchback, it's great for my dogs. The sunroof does not work anymore, but I let that go pretty easily - if something in the car had to break I'd prefer it be that. I don't ever want it to die, but at some point I'm sure it will. Hoping for a few more years! Update - car had 195K miles when I was in another accident that totaled the car in Nov 2019. I was t-boned on the drivers side. The airbags deployed this time, but the curtain airbag did not. I was knocked unconscious when my head hit the driver side window and my seatbelt perhaps saved me worse injuries, but broke a rib. I am not sure what to say about safety. I am alive, but I now have two traumatic brain injuries. I am not an expert of auto accidents and airbags but I do wonder about the airbag situation in both accidents. I opted to get a highlander hybrid and sadly am no longer in the Prius family after about 8 years of driving them.
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Civic Hybrid vs. Prius
civictoprius, 02/26/2011
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
23 of 25 people found this review helpful
Having traded in a 2005 Civic Hybrid after putting over 150,000 miles on it and have been driving Honda's for 20 years, I purchased a 2010 Prius II. The new versions of the Hybrid Civic can not come close in MPG. After having the Prius for months and 7000 miles I can report the Prius rides better, is more powerful (in regular and PWR mode) more stable on the road, quiter, and is more roomy. with at least 50 MPG commuting and carpooling over 130 miles per day. The late versions of this model only goes to 9 mph in EV mode and not 25 mph as advertised.
Just goes
Jim, 05/05/2018
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
Zero issues over 218k miles and 8 years, just tires and oil changes
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A Fine Car
twoofthem, 01/18/2011
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
This is our 2nd one (other is 2008 base level, 17k miles). Looked seriously at Ford and Honda hybrids (used to own a Civic hybrid). For us, climate change is real, and while it would be best not to drive a car that runs on gasoline, at this point, where we live, it is simply not practical not to. The 2010 is a step up from the 2nd generation Prius in almost every way. Got the V with navi. Handles exceedingly well, due in part to the 17 inch wheels and wide tires. It is comfortable to drive (6'1) and ride in. More than ample power. LOTS of space. Excellent sound system. The look of the car is a bit odd compared to most other cars but its shape should not obscure fact that this is a fine car.
Versatile vehicle, surprisingly spry
Bruce, 05/18/2018
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
Great no-fuss reliable and enjoyable car for commuting, hauling surprising amounts of cargo around town, with great range & fuel economy. Drove it with satisfaction for 8 years. My needs changed (need to tow), and eventually the long distance (2 hour +) seat discomfort led me to sell and upgrade comfort levels, despite loss of some fuel economy. Be aware the factory paint came soft (fragile) finished, and should be hard coated. Dealers & others offer this, so check for it in a used car.
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Still love this car!
Peggy Gordon, 05/20/2016
updated 06/01/2021
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for 10 years and have never had a repair! Despite the split in the leatherette at the base of the driver’s seat, I still love this car. It has plenty of room for hauling luggage, dog crates, and the occasional chair or table I may want to bring home. The acceleration is more than adequate even when traveling on major highways. Passengers state that the rear seat is much roomier and more comfortable than they expected. Other than the “normal” battery - not the hybrid battery - I have had no expenses other than regular oil changes, filters and tires. While it is not a luxury car, it is a good economical ride with sporty styling.
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Love my Toyota Prius!
Linda, 12/17/2018
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought my Prius in 2010 and have been driving it for 9 years. Except for replacing the tires, I have not needed any repairs or needed to replace anything on it. On a long trip we had even reached 60mpg but daily use was still good at 45mpg. It is fun to drive and has been the most reliable car I have ever owned.
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The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
Codyroo, 06/21/2010
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I've researched the Prius for 4 years before getting the car. It meets all of my expectations. 1) The gas mileage is as advertised. If you hold your freeways speeds down (speed limit) you can easily get 50 mpg or more. Short trips kill mileage, long trips are good. I average over 58 mpg for my daily 70 mile commute. 2) Stereo and bluetooth are nice 2) The brake and acceleration thing was media hype. There are no issues with my car. 3) This is not a 0-60 mph performance car, nor does it handle like a sports car. It has adequate acceleration and handling. 4) Rear visibility isn't very good out of the rear corner windows. Ensure you've adjusted your mirrors adequately.
the perfect urban vehicle
fr nelson, 05/23/2018
2010 Toyota Prius I 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
this car will swallow up a wheelchair, or a 40 gal hot water heater, or a load from Ikea -- beat everything on the interstate (it's the driver, not the car who flinches at speed limits) - and still get near 50 mpg. My car had to carry a wheel chair -- this was the ONLY hybrid (not counting the Chevy light hybrid) that hid the batteries rather than put 'em in a box in the middle of the trunk. You will be able to cruise at 10-15 mph over the speed limit and not get a ticket (except for speed trap cameras...) as cops don't believe a Prius speeds. HOWEVER, the tire noise and wind noise will wear you down and a 800 mile trip will seem like a 1000 mile trip! MAYBE if I had up-trimmed it a bit this would not be an issue -- but around town and for 120 mile trips - not that big a deal. I went from a fill up a week to a fill up a month -- yeah. good value in a car. This will replace the VW beetle as the go to car for college students (fold down the rear seat and it becomes a struggle buggy)
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2010 Prius Touring
sg3msmith, 07/06/2013
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Own a 2010 Prius Touring. Still own a 2004 Prius. This third gen car is a great step up. The driving position is much more comfortable than previous generation. Quieter cabin ride. Engine develops more HP and you can tell the difference. Like the positioning of the controls (much easier to see everything). Very nice car. Glad to have my 2nd Prius.
A good thing made better
Mark Whitley, 11/13/2016
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
Purchased a 2010 to replace a 2008 that we loved. The '10 is an improvement on an already good thing. More comfortable with height adjustable drivers seat. Seat position relative to steering wheel feels right; it felt 'off' in the '08. Combined with wrap around dash/center console, it feels very sporty and comfortable. Engine performance is improved. More power with less noise and improved mpg (52 vs 47). Oil changes a bit of hassle as a plastic underbody shield has to be removed. Special wrench needed to remove oil filter housing. Shield has to be removed to change trans fluid and coolant. Otherwise, trans fluid is straight forward like '08. Coolant can be changed and bled easily by DIYer.
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How Can You Not Love This Car
Tim W., 06/03/2016
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I recently bought this car used at 81,000 miles and to be honest, It is the best 1st car purchase of my life so far. Now, as for get up and go type of traffic the Prius does fine in my opinion.... mpg has been pretty good at 49 to 53 miles per gallon driving in a city and highway mix of traffic. My Prius came with a touch screen and integrated back up camera. The previous car I was driving was an 08 Chevy Malibu and that car got me roughly 28-34 mpg average....Now this Prius or any Prius blows that Malibu away in terms of mpg. Plus, I love filling up about every two to three weeks. Great Car Overall!!
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Is it a "big little car" or a "little big car?"
priuspapa, 02/16/2011
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
15 of 17 people found this review helpful
I was "hooked" with my first test-drive. I initially was looking at either the 2010 Sonata or Elantra but the Prius just blew me away with its sophistication and refined performance. So smooooth, quiet, and well-mannered. I've been a compact car man my whole life but have never owned a car as unique as this one. I'm constantly stopped by passers-by who ask me how I like it. My family, friends, and associates are all overly curious about "how it works" and the space-age digital graphic dashboard displays are amazing. I've only had it for 2 months and about 3,000 miles so far but long enough to have opinions - mostly favorable.
38,459 miles on a TOP OF THE LINE PRIUS
Mrs. Simon, 11/09/2018
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
BUY MY FABULOUS CAR with incredible guts and power. It has a solar panel sunroof and has been garaged every night for 8 years. The only reason I'm replacing the car is because it's become too challenging to get in and out at my age, and it has only manual adjustments to the driver seat.
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Excellent car
hbedmunds, 10/30/2011
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
I was surprised at some of the reviews indicating care was uncomfortable etc. I have never written a car review before, but the 2010 Pirus is such an excellent car, that it deserves a review. I now have 29,000 miles. I track the mileage on most fill-ups, and my average is 48.7mpg over more than 27,000 miles check. Mileage is best in rush hour traffic, worst for short trips of 3 miles or less and when driveing higher than 65 mph. I find the car fun to drive around town and VERY comfortable on long trips, much more so for my back than previous 1990 Maxima and 2001 Avalon. We originally assumed that we would only use it in town, but now use it as exclusive choice for long trips. No issues
What a lemon!
Marianne McNabb, 12/01/2010
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
20 of 24 people found this review helpful
We have had our 2010 Prius for over a year and aside from the excellent gas mileage, I would not ever recommend this year model. The 'regenerative' braking system is so unreliable, that driving it over uneven road surfaces, the brakes fail and the car keeps moving. If there were a pedestrian in the cross walk, they would have been hit. Recommend you check out similar complaints on the National Highway Transportation Safety web site. I think the problem is with this year only-it was recalled back in Feb. 2010 but the problem persists. We are trying to get rid of it, but have not found a dealer who would give us a decent trade-in. Toyota has been hard to deal with in this regard.
SO GLAD I GOT THIS CAR!
b14, 04/07/2012
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I had a toyota corrola almost 20 years ago when I was getting out of college, and drove it til almost 170k miles. After that I wanted luxury and performance. I flopped back and forth between VW's and Honda Accords, and after having lots of expenses with both (I think my hondas were defective), saw an ad for a Prius lease for 179/mo. I never thought I'd drive off the lot, just wanted to "see". After checking it out and driving it, then calculating the incentive deals and gas savings, I realized I could afford this car no problem. The cost to own is so low. Change the oil every 10k miles thats it. Drove to NYC from Boston and back for $30! Unbelievable. Attractive-Fun to drive: Will be buying!
2nd Toyota that has failed me
KC Prius Owner, 02/27/2017
2010 Toyota Prius I 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I had a Rav4 a number of years ago, drove it to 223,000 and was pleased at its reliability overall. Then, I bought a Corolla and for the first time in my life, traded the car in WELL before 100K because there was some intermittent mechanical problem that Toyota could never figure out. The dealership got tired of me complaining about the car and so offered to let me trade in the car and I got a 2010 Prius. Wasn't crazy about the interior, but was interested in the gas mileage savings since I do a lot of driving. It doesn't get even what the dashboard settings say it does, much less what the sticker said. I would say it was more like high 30's to lower 40's depending on time of year, weather conditions and how much weight was in the car. Earlier this year, I started having issues with loss of motor oil. It has continued and if I were to keep the car, I am told I would be looking at a repair of at LEAST $3K. I told them I would never put that kind of $ in a car with just over 100K. I think I'm going to go look at Honda's. I'm sick of Toyota not taking care of their customers! The dealership told me yesterday when I was in for another oil change that they have had repeated issues with the Prius's burning oil but that there was no recall coming out that he knew of. SHAME ON TOYOTA!!!
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Mostly Hate After 5 Years and 87,000 Miles
NoMorePrius, 01/05/2016
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
24 of 30 people found this review helpful
Gasoline is an expense for all of us - everyone that drives - essentially a tax on life. I bought my 2010 Prius to absolutely minimize the cost of gasoline on my life, and because, at the time, I really liked the redesigned appearance. I made it a Prius V/5/five for a couple reasons: it has the sportiest appearance with the 17" rims, had all the bells and whistles (NAV, backup cam, Xenon), and I didn't want the solar roof that only comes on the IV. Those were the appeals. I wanted it badly enough that I paid too much to the tune of $31,500 fully loaded. I racked up 32,000 miles the first year expressway driving. The gas savings were great. Unrivaled by any other car. But the expressway isn't where this car shines. It's in the city - stop and go - where the motor can kick in while coasting. After the first year, weaknesses became apparent. The car, originally solid and quiet, is poorly built. Of course. Everything is plastic. Squeaks and rattles abound from just about everywhere. The dash board. The door panels. The floor. The ride is mushy. Steering and control is vague. Recognize that this car is no frills, no nonsense focused on one thing: efficiency. They spared all expenses in the refinement department. While the car being a tin can is a superficial thing, I have some more serious complaints too. My MPGs never met the listed. Not even close. I averaged 42 in winter and 44 in summer mixed driving. Mine burned oil too. I was adding a quart every 1,000 miles or so by the time I traded it in. Obviously not the eco-friendly vehicle the Prius should be. The car was horrible in snow. Snow tires are a must, unless you stay home from work. I agree with the guy who said in his review, "Life is too short to drive a Prius." That was my sentiment the day I test drove its replacement and realized the driving experience I was missing for five years.
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HUGE Blind Spot
Lee M, 12/30/2009
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
10 of 12 people found this review helpful
The 2010 model has improved in adding more interior space; however in doing so, a blind spot of 2 feet on both sides of the rear corners were created. Another trouble with visibility is from the bar the rear windshield wiper is attached to. There is a vent in the back corner that cannot be blocked so a passenger cannot use a pillow to lie on. The seats are rock hard, the steering wheel is positioned too far away. The low beam headlights don't shine upward (the beam is cut in half) so it is impossible to view the road in front of you if you are driving up or down a hill. Mileage hangs out at an avg of 47. The blind spot must be fixed in a new model for me to purchase another one.
DO NOT BUY! Brakes are prone to failure
JJ, 01/21/2021
updated 07/21/2022
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
I bought a used Prius for my daughter to use for college. I thought since it was a Toyota it would be a reliable car. Unfortunately it kicked off a C1391 code. I did my research on it, and it turns out this is a common failure for this model, and subsequent models through 2015. It's a $3500 brake report. Toyota service is god awful. I'll never own another Toyota.
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Very pleased with my Prius V
peter_peter, 08/17/2013
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
7 of 8 people found this review helpful
Overall, I am very pleased. Looked for months at many different cars (sedans) from BMW's to Acuras to MBZ but the Toyota Prius always stood on my list of options. Averaging between 48-51 mpg, half street and freeways. Perfect commuter car, I fill up my gas tank and spend almost half as compared to my wife's Civic. Nothing wrong with the Civic, but this Toyota has everything. Fully loaded with everything from navi, Bluetooth, leather, cold AC, 17 inch wheels, key-less go and the list goes on. The car does turn on and off when the engine is not needed,nothing major but not something I expected, no big deal. Highly recommend this car to someone who wants something different and gets great mpg.
Great car, not very owner-servicable
kscommuter1, 11/15/2014
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
12 of 15 people found this review helpful
My 2010 Prius went 150,000 miles with NO unscheduled maintenance. Oil changes, tire rotations and replacements, filters, tune ups... that's it. And, of course there is that gas mileage (I get 46-47 in mostly highway driving). Sadly, this car is not very user-serviceable. Instructions, unbelievably, call for removal of the front bumper to replace the headlight bulbs. I ignored this and simply reached around behind them to unscrew... now I have pulled a wire loose. Plastic panels have to come off to access the oil drain plug. The windshield wipers and their motor have to come out to access the spark plugs-- seriously! Such thoughtless design is so very un-Japanese.
On my 2nd Prius
CC, 12/23/2018
updated 06/24/2019
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We are on our 2nd Prius.....NEVER a repair. Awesome cars MILES ahead of the competition in terms of technology and reliability.
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Great Hybrid - Great Performance
Douglas Doty, 03/01/2020
updated 09/03/2020
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My wife loved our 2010 Toyota Prius! We had it for 10 years and put over 240,000 miles on it. Other than some wheel bearing issues in 2019, and some 12 volt battery issues, it performed very well. Exceptional MPG (easily 50+ mpg).
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The Demise of the Pri-Pri
Noah, 10/13/2020
updated 06/01/2023
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
My mom bought her new in 2010; then I inherited her when I got my license in 2021. This little car is capable of a lot more than people like to give credit for. In nearly 3 years of driving her, I have put on ~44,000 miles, which includes 2 trips to South Florida (Key West in Nov '22 and Everglades in March '23), and an extensive camping trip in the NC Mountains, all of which included varying degrees of all-terrain driving. I live hard, drive hard (so did my mom), and the Prius just would not quit. Until I totaled her by gliding into the rear of a Highlander at 15 MPH-- 4 days before my 18th birthday (it was a weird yield intersection, and I was looking left at oncoming traffic-- not at the car that had stopped at a yield sign). It was a very minor fender-bender... for the other people, who continued on their merry way less a rear reflector-- but the poor Prius had to be towed: such a low-speed collision caused the Hybrid System to malfunction, so that the only gear which worked was Neutral. The demise was so... disappointing... anticlimactic; there are cars driving around On a Street Near You that look worse than does my late Prius. So that's how it is. She loses a star for such a mediocre demise. But it's not her fault. It is the fault of the Insurance Demons who declared her a total loss. Let this be a Cautionary Tale: if you're going to total your Prius, do it Thelma-and-Louise-style.
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Love my Prius
Annonymous, 04/30/2016
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is a great car. It has a large cargo capacity (20 bags of mulch). It has been totally reliable and has not cost a penny more than maintenance for oil changes, tire rotations, and a set of new tires.
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Love our Prius
paul5637, 07/07/2013
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
We have a 2010 Prius III. Loved it from the start. It has as much head room as our mini van or more. We haul it loaded full Illinois to Florida and back Fall and Spring and get on average 48 mpg overall. That surprised me with driving the interstates most of the way at 70 mph a lot. Definitely will get another one for our next car. When I see the price of gas going up it doesn't bother me nearly as much as it used to. With getting over twice the mpg as my previous vehicles, I figure $4/gal gas is like paying $2/gal.
Great economical small hybrid
Richard Cooper, 03/12/2018
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Well built, economical, with surprising carrying capacity for a smallish car.
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Love this little car
Randall Stephan, 01/27/2018
updated 01/30/2020
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car for seven years and the only thing I've done to it was regular maintenance items. The only reason I'm getting rid of it is because I bought another Prius, the larger Prius V. I sold my Prius to a family with 2 children. They were the first people to look at it and they loved it. It's been almost a year now and I recently talked to the new owner and she said it's running great and she and her husband both are very happy with it.
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Worst Toyota I have owned
Erica, 05/27/2016
2010 Toyota Prius I 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
20 of 27 people found this review helpful
If you get it, please get the extended warranty!! It is the only thing that has saved us. This Prius was the WORST purchase I have made. I bought it fresh off the boat, we actually waited two weeks after purchasing it for it to arrive. Everything was great for about two years. I always took it to the dealership for oil changes and regular maintenance. Then the cooling fan for the hybrid battery makes a puttering sound when you accelerate. It is random, some days are good others are bad, with same use or no use of the heater/ or AC. I have had it replaced three times and its making noise again, except I'm now out of the extended warranty and it will cost me $500 to replace. Then the vehicle was burning oil. We never smelled it, there was nothing on our driveway that would indicate there was a leak. took it to the dealer and was told I was low two quarts and they didn't fill it. they said to take it home and come back in a few weeks when they could work on it. I had to ask them to top it off and they were surprised I asked. I ended up having the motor rebuilt because there was so much damage.. again.. EXTENDED WARRANTY!!! Then we had electrical issues. The vehicle suddenly died after my husband dropped me off at the hospital while I was in labor, to pick up our oldest from school. Inverter failure. Then the starter battery died at day care which I knew we would have to replace someday, that was $275, except after it was replaced, the horn goes off when the E brake is on. Just one loud, continuous noise. Dealer can't fix horn issue unless I authorize 5 hours of labor @ $108/hr and I was given a 'heads up' that the hybrid battery lasts about 8-10 years and it costs 2-5k to replace, (it covered under warranty for 8 years or 100k miles) so I may want to start saving up for that. I told a co-worker who owns the same type of vehicle about it and he mentioned he had already replaced the hybrid battery on his (it was 3K), and when the hybrid battery goes, the vehicle starts acting erratically and even accelerating on its own at times.
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Not so much
Don, 06/01/2009
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
6 of 7 people found this review helpful
Well what can you say. The seats are not comfortable, the ride is numb and disconnected from the road, wind/road noise is at a premium, very jittery over any type of non-smooth pavement. However, going green is the way to go. We need more of these types of cars only with better execution...
Leased it, loved it, bought it
icehorses, 09/29/2013
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 10 people found this review helpful
I leased my Prius and at the end of the three years opted to buy it. No problems whatsoever, just change the oil, rotate the tires, and you're good to go. I average between 52-55 MPG (combined city/highway), it sips gas. When I first leased it I read up on how to drive a Prius to get the most effective gas mileage, coasting and avoiding rapid acceleration definitely helps to optimize your fuel economy. I'm tall and I find it to be a very comfortable vehicle with plenty of headroom and pleasant interior. If you need to have a lot of power and acceleration at your fingertips, this isn't the vehicle for you. If you appreciate a quiet ride and phenomenal gas mileage, then it just might be!
Loved it at first, now I absolutely hate this car.
rex81, 11/27/2012
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
20 of 28 people found this review helpful
Don't get me wrong, the Prius is a great car to get from A to B. But it has so many faults, mostly in the way it drives, that I had to get rid of it after 30,000 miles. For efficiency of fuel and space, it's unmatched. It's roomy and gets great mileage. But... The auto on/off of the engine is choppy, the brake feel is eneven, rock hard seats, the steering is numb, the ride is harsh, there are a ton of rattles throughout the car, and the car feels like it weighs twice what it does. Just a terrible driving experience. I was getting about 39 mpg consistently. No reliability issues whatsoever. But in the end, life is too short to drive a car like this. That's why I got rid of it.
Used V with Advanced Tech
euphony010, 04/01/2013
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
9 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought this as a used one owner with 42k miles. A little under a year later and I'm at 63k miles, averaging 43.1MPG. The 17" wheels likely account for the low average, but I'm happy since it has been on a few packed road trips. If you're considering the Advanced Tech package, I think it's a no-brainer if you are commuting on the interstate. The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control makes my daily commutes much less irritating (it can slow the car down to 25mph if necessary). Pair that with the Lane Keep Assist and the system can make a good attempt at steering the car while at speed. I use both daily. The Pre-Collision System has activated twice, and the seat belt tensioning happened once.
Inherent design flaw and poorly maintained
FRAC, 11/09/2021
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I believe that people that that "It's a Toyota" and that they just "keep going." It seems these care often have a lot of deferred maintenance that needs to be repaired. Also, there is no coolant temperature gauge and only have any indication of an overheating engine when a flashing red coolant light comes on in the gauge cluster. I'd like to know if my coolant temp is anything over normal in standard driving conditions, not only the moment it hits the "red zone." The Prius I purchased has a blown head-gasket, which is a $2.5k repair, plus broken wipers, and in dire need of basically a new front suspension. Design flaw or deferred maintenance? I'd say BOTH user error and inherent design flaws. Again, why it's so important to have a pre-purchase inspection. My mechanic about bit my head off that I didn't bring it to him before I bought it.
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A formidable achievement.
James, 11/07/2010
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
16 of 23 people found this review helpful
My 2010 Prius II is the finest overall car I have ever owned and I have been driving my own cars for forty years. It has the unique ability to transport four people in comfort and do so with an overall average of 50 mpg. I am impressed with the technology and am convinced Toyota loses money on the base car. It combines excellent driving characteristics (it's no sports sedan, however) with an engaging dash and controls. I enjoy driving this car. Gripes? The tires need more compliance as they now transmit too much road noise and harshness into the cabin. Also the radio/entertainment system combo is weak. I am not convinced spending more on factory pieces would be worthwhile. The after-market s
Great Car!
escoandesco, 02/15/2011
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
12 of 17 people found this review helpful
I'm a retired car dealer so having always had access to a car, I left my family scratching their head when I bought my first new one in about 30 years or so. Even crazier was the fact that I was the co-owner of a Honda/Acura Dealership during the 90's. I was attracted to the Prius because of it's 21st century styling and the experiences I had with them while out of town and using one as a rental. I never had to put gas in the darn thing, the needle never seemed to move. That was the real motivator for me ... "cheap to drive".
I'd buy it again
James Oler, 03/29/2016
2010 Toyota Prius I 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This has been a good car. I'm six feet tall. Difficult to get in and out as my knees hit the steering wheel. Not comfortable for a long trip, but great for around town and short trips. Trading in for a new Prius. Love 'em!
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Worst car I've ever owned
Disappointed in Illinois, 07/28/2024
updated 01/30/2025
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
***UPDATE*** We're still using this car. The auto market is horrible now. Dealers are having trouble moving inventory and few people are buying used cars. We had the car fully serviced about a month ago. Costly. All the fancy electronics and "sealed" fluid system mean you have to pay BIG to service the vehicle. And despite getting the head gasket replaced about a year ago (again, costly), the car still shakes when accelerating at anything above a snail's pace. The paint job is the worst of any car I've ever owned. Just sitting in the sun, it peels like a bad sun burn. Off the hood. Off the rear-view mirror housing. Off random edges and corners. Unsightly. Yes, the car is reasonably fuel-efficient (nowhere NEAR Toyota's listing, though!). But I wouldn't even trust driving this car more than 25-miles. We keep it because we can't otherwise get rid of it. When it finally breaks down, we'll junk it and never look back. Shame on Toyota for producing this lemon. ***ORIGINAL REVIEW*** I grew up thinking Hondas & Toyotas were bulletproof. My mom owned a Toyota for 20 years without any major problems. My first car was a Honda Accord. Problem-free. Briefly, I owned later German cars--fun but too costly to maintain. I jumped at the chance to own the Prius because I thought it would give great mileage and be as bulletproof as earlier Toyotas like my mom's. Boy was I wrong! Where to begin? Peeling paint that makes the car look like something that sat languishing for years in a junk yard. Infamous head gasket problems that, no matter how often I pay buckets of money to fix, keep re-occurring. Equally persistent drive/acceleration problems that make me nervous to drive the car more than a few miles from home. The hybrid battery that discharges as soon as I leave my driveway. Lackluster mileage that I could frankly match with a smaller Japanese car driven conservatively. Never-ending problems with the tire sensors that throw error messages whenever it's hot. Or cold. Any atmospheric event that brings a pressure change, no matter how barely noticeable, sets off the tire pressure sensor. Oh, did I mention the hideously peeling paint--off the rearview mirrors, the hood of the vehicle, the bumpers...? I feel ashamed every time I walk up to the car. The WORST automobile I've ever owned. Ugly, lethargic, and riddled with expensive electronic problems that make me long for the days of spending gobs of money on my 330X. At least a BMW is beautiful and fun to drive. The 2010 Prius, what I learned too late is this make's WORST year by far, is junk from a company I used to think could do no wrong. Oh, and the dealerships? They don't want to help. You're on your own with this lemon. I don't see myself ever buying another Toyota. Between the horror of owning this car and dealing with uncaring Toyota dealerships, I've been turned off from the company.
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2010 Toyota Prius Money Pit
No-More-Priuses, 02/11/2023
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Bought a used 2010 Prius in 2019 (110K mi). Had it thoroughly checked out by an independent mechanic before buying. The shop gave it two thumbs up so I bought. Almost immediately, I noticed the car was struggling to accelerate but assumed this was just a consequence of it being a hybrid. But over the next five years, the sluggishness would get progressively worse, eventually turning into shaking at low speeds. Within a year of buying the car, the hybrid system failed. Two different Toyota dealerships warned me against using used batteries I could get online. I went ahead and had the local dealership put in a new battery. After taxes, about $4K. Most I've ever spent on ANY car maintenance ever. But I reasoned this was a good financial decision because I'd get, I expected, at least another 100K miles out of the car. Just routine maintenance for the next few years--the Toyota dealership scheduled maintenance, fluid changes, new tires, smaller battery replaced... All a lot more expensive than a non-hybrid vehicle, though... This week the dread "Check Engine" light came on. I'm now getting back from a local Toyota dealership. They found a P0401 error code. Their estimate to fix? Nearly $2K. $6K (+ routine maintenance costs) in just four years? Toyota certified mechanic told me today that I'll have to replace head gaskets "very soon"--another nearly $2K. What gives? I work from home and drive the car only a few miles a week--running errands like getting groceries... I have now spent more on a Prius' repairs than I spent on repairs for a '88 Camry, a '95 Accord, and an '10 M4 over their COMBINED ownership-lifespans. And now I'm expected to pony up another $4K? I'll be getting rid of this money pit as soon as possible and steering clear of these super high-tech cars moving forward. They're great deals for dealerships because we lowly plebes are less likely to be able to fix them. I'll either trade the car in, full disclosure on check-engine problem, for something very simple, reliable and economical OR I'll junk the car and join the growing community of car-share/car-rental people who work from home and need vehicles rarely. My parents both had Toyotas (Corolla, Camry) that, other than routine maintenance (oil change...) NEVER required major investments. My first car out of college was my grandmother's "retired" '95 Honda Accord--a tank then NEVER failed. I wrongly assumed a Prius would give me the same experience. Now I'm reading online about certain years of Toyota Prius that have exorbitant failure rates and repair costs. Of course, the 2010 Prius is among these. :(
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Great car!
Yooper Birrski, 03/03/2022
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The only negative to the car is how low it is to the ground and thus getting into and out of it. And while my wife enjoys it immensely, I find the driver's seat uncomfortable for long trips (an hour or more). Otherwise, it is an economical car to operate and handles well!
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Very Reliable, Fuel Efficient
Erick , 01/16/2021
2010 Toyota Prius III 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
Amazing car for its reliability and fuel efficiency. High mileage doesn't seem to make any difference, it remains reliable and fuel efficient at 149 000 miles. It's also comfortable, roomy and offers high tech features. Best car I've ever had, and I've owned Volvo, Honda, Mazda, Opel, Audi, Ford, Pontiac etc
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Very Dependable And Uses Half The Gas
Edkolb5, 11/19/2017
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
This is my 2nd Prius - had a 2005 that was totaled in an accident with nearly 300k miles and still had no significant repairs - so expected similar with the 2010 and was not disappointed. Pros - Great mileage getting up to 60 mpg with cautious driving, consistent 45 mpg driving fast. No repair bills for engine, transmission, etc, in 5 years, just maintenance - brake pads, headlamps, etc. Can carry lots of items as hatchback. Still original starter battery and battery pack, good front wheel drive traction. Negative - Acceleration sufficient for interstate and on ramps, but not a fast car.
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My Prius still surges even after 'fix'
Betsyr, 06/03/2010
2010 Toyota Prius V 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
8 of 11 people found this review helpful
I bought my Prius with high hopes, but soon the surges started. After the fix I was sure the surges would go away. They have not and I am having them more now. I understand that Toyota maintains that it is 'normal' to have that feeling of loss of brakes, but it's unacceptable. I take my foot off the gas way before an intersection and drive roads where I know the bumps. It works for the most part, but what will happen when I am on a 45 mph road and am cut off by someone on uneven surface! A wreck! A check on NHTSA shows that we are not the only people still having this problem! We want to trade-in but will lose 12k if we do. Lose money or possibly have a wreck - neither option is good.