2010 Toyota Prius Review
Price Range: $5,292 - $15,590





+148
Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- Unmatched fuel economy, space-efficient interior, quiet and comfortable ride, available high-tech luxury goodies.
Cons
- Awkward driving position, disappointing interior materials, overly busy gauge cluster, no factory iPod interface.
What’s new
The 2010 Toyota Prius has been fully redesigned. Key improvements for this third-generation model include more power, better fuel economy, enhanced steering feel, more conventional interior controls and sleeker styling.
Edmunds says
The Toyota Prius remains the most fuel-efficient and space-efficient hybrid on the market. A few flaws remain, but the changes made for 2010 generally make for a better Prius.
For sale near West Chicago, IL
21 listings
- $11,495fair price$578 below market
- 73,542 miles
- No accidents, 1 owner, personal use only
- 51 City / 48 Hwy MPG
- Car City (20 mi away)
- Bluetooth
- Heated seats
- Leather Seats
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Auto Climate Control
Close
Located in Palatine, IL
2010 Toyota Prius IV 1 Owner, Low Miles, Hybrid Gas Saver Extra Clean & Loaded For Sale in Palatine, IL at Car City IncThis low-mileage, 1-owner 20...
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
50 Combined MPG (51 City/48 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTDKN3DU8A5001801
Stock: 6019
Certified Pre-Owned: No - $7,705good price$791 below market
- 122,093 miles
- No accidents, 2 owners, personal use only
- 51 City / 48 Hwy MPG
- E&A Truck Sales (4 mi away)
- Tire Pressure Warnin...
- Auto Climate Control
- Alarm
- Trip Computer
- Rear Bench Seats
Close
Located in Warrenville, IL
AutoCheck Vehicle History Summary
Accident Free Vehicle: Yes
Personal Use Only: Yes
History Provider: AutoCheck
Title Details: Clean Title
Salvage Vehicle: No
Frame Damage: No
Theft History: No
Lemon Status: No
Free History Report: No
Features and Specs:
50 Combined MPG (51 City/48 Highway)
Listing Information:
VIN: JTDKN3DU4A5002976
Stock: WEB401885
Certified Pre-Owned: No
Listed since: 09-28-2024
Vehicle overview
The last Toyota Prius flipped the automotive world on its head, changing the purchasing priorities of American car buyers seemingly overnight. Attracted to its sky-high fuel economy, practical body style and green image, consumers came to the Prius for many new car searches (regardless of their actual motoring needs). What was once an automotive oddity relegated to hemp-wearing greenies, the Prius grew to become the country's 13th-best-selling vehicle in 2008. Now there is the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius. It's poised to keep the hybrid revolution going, but with key changes to make it more appealing to an even wider audience.
A quick look at the 2010 Prius will reveal a familiar shape, but it's a little sleeker and a tad (dare we say) sportier than its predecessor. Visually, it looks smaller, but it's an optical illusion that creates a more streamlined appearance. Indeed, the 2010 Prius is less than an inch longer and wider than last year's model. The interior is a different story, as headroom has been reduced by a fraction of an inch. This wouldn't seem to be a big deal, but in our testing we found that taller rear seat occupants had their hair grazing the roof, and that wasn't the case before.
Under the hood resides a revised version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive. There's a larger and more powerful gasoline engine now, but instead of providing quicker off-the-line acceleration, it allows more effortless highway cruising. A smaller electric motor contributes less torque to the overall powertrain dance, but it improves efficiency. There are other mechanical changes, too, but the end result is a jump in fuel economy, from last year's EPA-estimated 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway to this year's 51/48 mpg.
Toyota has also addressed other previous Prius faults. A more rigid chassis and a revised electric-assist steering system help to improve steering feel and driver confidence -- the old Prius' steering had a disconnected, video-gamelike feel. While the Prius still isn't exactly fun to drive, its straight-line stability is a lot better now, and in general it feels more like a normal car.
The latest Prius might even seem like a small, ultra-efficient luxury sedan depending on how you equip it. Luxury-themed items like heated leather seats, a solar-powered sunroof (cools the interior when parked), a navigation system, radar-based adaptive cruise control (matches your speed to the car ahead), a pre-collision system (retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes if a crash is unavoidable) and a lane-departure warning system for inattentive drivers are all available. Also, the automated self-parking system you've seen in Lexus commercials makes its way onto the Prius' options sheet.
The Prius has been a huge success, and with such success comes added competition. The all-new Honda Insight looks similar to the Prius, has similar fuel efficiency and costs less, but it's smaller and less sophisticated. The Ford Fusion Hybrid's more traditional body style and more involving driving dynamics should appeal to those who want their hybrid to be a little more like a normal car. The Camry Hybrid is another possibility, as is the limited-availability Altima Hybrid. Regardless, when it comes to an ultra-practical, ultra-efficient automotive choice that, depending on equipment, can be anything from an economy car to a luxury car, the 2010 Toyota Prius cannot be beat.
Performance & mpg
The 2010 Toyota Prius is powered by Toyota's advanced gasoline-electric hybrid powertrain. A 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine combines with a pair of electric motors (one for propulsion, the other an electrical systems generator) through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission (CVT). The result is a total system output of 134 horsepower. In track testing, we clocked the Prius going from zero to 60 mph in 10.1 seconds, which is roughly the same as the old car and a few ticks quicker than the Honda Insight. The most important number, however, is fuel economy. The EPA estimates the 2010 Prius will return 51 mpg city/48 highway and 50 mpg combined. That's the best fuel efficiency of any mass-market vehicle sold with an internal combustion engine.
Safety
Every 2010 Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock disc brakes (the old car had rear drums), stability and traction control, front side airbags, side curtain airbags and a driver knee airbag. Optional equipment includes a pre-collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system. In brake testing, the Prius stopped from 60 mph in a short 118 feet, with less fade than the previous rear-drum-equipped car.
Driving
The 2010 Toyota Prius retains its hyper-quiet cabin, made possible by its part-time electric motivation and plenty of sound-deadening materials. The ride is also quite comfortable, and for 2010, the Prius' structure is tauter, resulting in a less flimsy feel when the car is driven over road imperfections. Another pleasant improvement is the electric steering system, which feels more substantial and better connected to the front tires while still being user-friendly in parking lots.
In regard to its hybrid powertrain, new driving modes (EV, eco, power and normal) allow the driver to decide how the car's powertrain should be configured for the driving scenario at hand. Eco is decidedly sluggish, but certainly gets the best fuel economy. You'll want to select power for freeway on-ramps or driving in hilly environments. The EV mode locks out the gasoline engine, but only up to 25 mph with at least a half-charged battery pack.
Interior
The 2010 Prius features straightforward climate and audio controls that jut out toward the driver in a "floating console" that provides a storage area underneath. This is an improvement over the convoluted touchscreen controls of the old Prius. Unfortunately, the materials used in the 2010 version are a step down, with harder and cheaper plastics throughout. The corduroy-like texturing on the climate and audio controls seems nice at first, but after only a few days, finger oils cause circular dark spots on most buttons. Another issue is the off-center digital gauge setup that buries the speedometer and fuel meter amidst a sea of less vital information.
In terms of versatility, though, the Prius is still a champ. The hatchback body style provides more cargo capacity than a typical midsize sedan, while its backseat provides lots of space (although headroom is a bit less now). The rear also seems to have less legroom than before, but that's because the front seats thankfully have more legroom. As for the front seats, the addition of driver height adjustment is a benefit for both short and tall drivers. Sadly, the latter still have to contend with a steering wheel that's placed too far away -- there's a telescoping column now, but it doesn't come out nearly far enough.
2010 Toyota Prius models
The 2010 Toyota Prius is available in four trim levels that should appeal to an ancient Roman's sensibilities: Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV and Prius V. The Prius I will be released later at a lower base price. Standard equipment on Prius II includes 15-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, keyless ignition/entry, auto on/off headlights, cruise control, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt-telescoping steering column, a hybrid system display and a six-speaker stereo with CD player and auxiliary audio jack. The Prius III adds Bluetooth and an eight-speaker upgraded stereo with six-CD changer. The Prius IV has this equipment plus additional exterior locking buttons for keyless entry, leather upholstery, heated front seats, driver lumbar adjustment and an auto-dimming mirror. The loaded-up Prius V comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglamps and LED headlamps with auto-leveling and washers.
The Navigation package available on all but the Prius II includes a voice-activated touchscreen navigation system with real-time traffic, a back-up camera, a four-disc CD changer (replacing the six-slot) and Bluetooth music streaming. The Solar Roof package can be added to the Navigation package and includes a sunroof with a solar-powered ventilation system that cools the car when it's parked. The Advanced Technology package when added to the Navigation package includes adaptive cruise control, pre-collision alert system, a lane departure warning system and automated self parking.

2025 Toyota Tacoma vs. Toyota Tundra: Which Truck's Right for You?

The Toyota 4Runner, Land Cruiser and Tacoma Turned Hell's Revenge Into a Piece of Cake

2026 Toyota RAV4: Five Things You Need to Know

2026 Toyota RAV4 Revealed: America's Best-Selling Car Goes Hybrid-Only
Compare 2010 Toyota Prius trim levels
Helpful trims summary and side-by-side comparison chart
Cost to Drive
Monthly estimates based on costs in Illinois
$87/mo for Prius I
Prius I
vs
$179/mo
Avg. Compact Car
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
Reliability Ratings by RepairPal
4.5 out of 5 stars4.5/5Excellent
#6 out of 28 among Midsize Cars
RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.
Cost
$351/yr
vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Frequency
0.71x/yr
vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
Severity
10.9%
vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car
for Average Midsize Car
powered by RepairPal
Toyota Prius Owner Reviews
Most Helpful Owner Reviews
Trending topics
100,000 miles and going strong!
5 out of 5 starsLuis Esparza, 08/21/2015
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
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.
A bulletproof toaster on wheels
4 out of 5 starsDaniel Karol, 11/06/2015
2010 Toyota Prius II 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
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.
Bulletproof Car with lots of great surprises!
5 out of 5 starsSR, 12/05/2016
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
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.
Time to buy my 3rd Prius
5 out of 5 starsDavid, 02/21/2016
2010 Toyota Prius IV 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
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!
2010 Prius Highlights
I
Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee | $21,400 |
---|---|
Engine Type | Hybrid |
Combined MPG | 50 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $87/month |
Seating | 5 seats |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 21.6 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | front wheel drive |
Warranty | 3 years / 36,000 miles |
Safety
Key safety features on the Prius include:
- Alarm
- Tire Pressure Warning
- Stability Control
NHTSA Overall Rating
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.
- Frontal Barrier Crash RatingOverallNot RatedDriver4 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Side Crash RatingOverallNot Rated
- Side Barrier RatingOverallNot RatedDriver5 / 5Passenger4 / 5
- Combined Side Barrier & Pole RatingsFront SeatNot RatedBack SeatNot Rated
- RolloverRollover4 / 5Dynamic Test ResultNo TipRisk Of RolloverNot Rated
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – OriginalGood
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalGood
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintGood
People who viewed this also viewed
4.4 average Rating out of 27 reviews. |
Starting at $24,250 |
Starting at $33,375 |
4.1 average Rating out of 67 reviews. |
Starting at $28,700 |
Related Used 2010 Toyota Prius info
Vehicle reviews of used models
- Kia Stinger 2020 Review
- Hyundai Nexo 2021 Review
- Hyundai Sonata Hybrid 2020 Review
- Audi A4 2020 Review
- Chevrolet Express Cargo 2020 Review
Shop similar models
- Used Toyota Prius-plug-in-hybrid 2025
- Used Toyota Prius-prime 2024
- Used Toyota Prius-c 2019
- Used Toyota Camry 2025
Shop used vehicles in your area
- Used Toyota Prius 2010
- Used Toyota Prius 2011
- Used Toyota Prius 2012
- Used Toyota Prius 2013
- Used Toyota Prius 2014
- Used Toyota Prius 2015
- Used Toyota Prius 2016
- Used Toyota Prius 2017
- Used Toyota Prius 2018
- Used Toyota Prius 2019
Popular new car reviews and ratings
- 2025 Audi SQ8
- 2024 Cadillac CT4
- New Ford Escape
- New Subaru Legacy
- Genesis GV70 2025
- 2026 Mitsubishi Outlander News
- Lexus RZ 2025
- New Lexus RX
- New BMW iX
- 2024 Silverado 2500HD
Research other models of Toyota
- 2025 Tundra
- 2024 Corolla
- New Toyota Grand Highlander
- 2024 Toyota 4Runner
- New Toyota GR Corolla
- 2024 Camry Hybrid
- Toyota GR Corolla 2024
- 2024 Toyota Sequoia
- 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid
- New Toyota Corolla Hatchback
Research similar vehicles
Other models
- Used Ford Transit-Crew-Van in Portage, MI 2023
- Used Ford Focus-St in Castle Rock, CO 2018
- Used Chevrolet Silverado-2500Hd in Marquette, MI 2025
- Used Mitsubishi Outlander in Corbin, KY 2025
- New Jaguar I-Pace for Sale in Clearfield, UT
- Used BMW X1 in Prosper, TX 2025
- New Buick Encore-Gx for Sale in Ames, IA
- Used Chevrolet Cobalt in Altoona, PA 2010
- Used Audi A8 in Jackson, TN 2025
- Used Hyundai Ioniq-Hybrid in Janesville, WI 2022