Toyota has announced the pricing for the all-new 2010 Toyota Prius that will hit showrooms late next month.
The third-generation Prius starts at $21,000 and will be offered in five trim levels.
The 2010 Prius is powered by a 1.8L Atkinson-cycle, four cylinder engine that puts out 98 horsepower. Combined with the electric motor, the new Prius puts out a combined 134 horsepower, which is 24 more than the old model. Fuel economy ratings are 51 city/ 48 highway and 50 mpg combined.
PRESS RELEASE:
Toyota Announces Prices for 2010 Prius
TORRANCE, Calif., April 21, 2009 - - Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., announced manufacturer’s suggested retail prices (MSRP) today for the all-new 2010 Prius midsize hybrid, scheduled to go on sale beginning in late May at Toyota dealers nationwide.
The third-generation Prius will be available in one grade with a starting MSRP of $21,000. The Prius will be offered with five levels of popular standard equipment combinations.
“The 2010 Prius delivers outstanding mileage, performance and advanced technology at a great price,” said Bob Carter, group vice president and general manager of the Toyota Division.
Carter sees the most popular model starting at an MSRP of $22,000, equipped with a high level of standard features, “This model provides more than $2,000 added value, including the features most buyers want, at the same price as the current base model” he said.
A new base model with a lower level of standard equipment is scheduled to be available later this year. It is designed to appeal to the most cost-conscious businesses and consumers.
Celebrated as the benchmark for cars of the future, the Prius has delivered superior fuel economy and ultra-low emissions to more than 1.2 million owners worldwide for over 10 years. When it goes on sale, the 2010 Toyota Prius will once again set new standards for innovative hybrid design and technology, raising its level of convenience features and performance to new heights, including EPA fuel economy estimates of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg highway and 50 mpg combined (EPA MPG estimates, actual mileage will vary).
The third-generation 2010 Prius will offer enhanced performance and innovative design features. It will be quieter, roomier, and equipped with advanced standard and available features such as four driving modes, steering wheel touch controls that display on the instrument panel, a moonroof with solar panels, and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA).
The Prius is equipped with Toyota’s industry-leading Hybrid Synergy Drive and certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), emitting over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle. A larger and more powerful yet more efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle, four-cylinder engine produces 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm. Together with its electric motor the hybrid system in the new Prius will generate a combined net horsepower of 134, an increase of 24 horsepower over the previous generation.
All Prius models offer Toyota’s Star Safety SystemTM as standard equipment, which includes enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) and Traction Control (TRAC) Systems, Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). Other standard features include electric power steering and four-wheel disc brakes.
Starting fall 2009, select Prius models will include Toyota’s all-new telematics service, Safety ConnectTM, which will offer four safety and security features: Automatic Collision Notification, Stolen Vehicle Location, Emergency Assistance Button (SOS), and Roadside Assistance. Safety Connect will be available by subscription, with an included one-year trial subscription.
Adding to the appeal of Prius is an additional array of standard convenience features on most models that include automatic air conditioning equipped with an electric air compressor; AM/FM/MP3 CD player with six-speakers and satellite radio capability; driver door Smart Key system with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry; a Multi-Informational Display with an energy monitor and fuel consumption history; six-way adjustable driver seat; power door locks; auto up/down on all windows with window jam protection; cruise control; tilt/telescopic adjustable steering wheel with audio and HVAC controls; color-keyed foldable power heated side mirrors; dual sun visors with vanity mirrors; and tonneau cover.
Prius also brings many new firsts to the Toyota lineup. To help increase fuel efficiency, the 1.8-liter engine is beltless, uses an electric water pump, a new exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system, and an exhaust heat collection system.
Other Toyota firsts include a new Touch Tracer Display, which features touch sensors on the steering wheel switches that are designed to reduce driver eye movement for better concentration on the road; an available sliding glass moonroof is packaged with solar panels that power a new ventilation system; a remote air-conditioning system functions on battery-power alone, and allows remote operation so the driver can cool the interior temperature for comfort before getting in the car.
Also new to Toyota is an available Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system that uses advanced millimeter wave radar. The system also enables Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, and the Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable.
Base MSRPs do not include a delivery, processing, and handling (DPH) fee of $750. The DPH fee for vehicles distributed by Southeast Toyota (SET) and Gulf States Toyota (GST) may vary.
| « Previous | Next » |
Comments (13)
Bravo Toyota. I know they did it to help prevent the Insight from taking all Prius sales, but I still think it's great they dropped the price to compete. Perhaps some other companies could learn from this...
Posted by Paul | April 22, 2009 8:29 AM
Posted on April 22, 2009 08:29
Bravo competition. :)
Posted by kw | April 22, 2009 8:53 AM
Posted on April 22, 2009 08:53
Yes, Bravo, but I still wouldn't give $1200 for it.
Posted by rawanduntamed | April 22, 2009 11:27 AM
Posted on April 22, 2009 11:27
Someone shoot this ugly piece of shit and put it out of its misery!
Posted by Sandman | April 22, 2009 1:55 PM
Posted on April 22, 2009 13:55
I still don't know why companies specify which "cycle" of engine they use. Almost all Toyota's technically use an Atkinson cycle setup when running with VVTI...
Really the miller cycle setup would be better.
Posted by Brian | April 22, 2009 2:09 PM
Posted on April 22, 2009 14:09
@ rawanduntamed,
Sure you wouldn't redneck.
Posted by Noya | April 22, 2009 2:17 PM
Posted on April 22, 2009 14:17
To Brian:
Most gasoline production vehicles use the Otto Cycle. This includes most Toyotas, except the Prius. That is why Toyota mentions this engine uses the Atkinson cycle.
The Atkinson cycle is mostly used on hybrid vehicles. I think the miller cycle is only used on engines with turbo chargers. I think the Mazda Millennium use to use it.
I'm basing my data on Wikipedia.
Posted by Wormser | April 22, 2009 2:21 PM
Posted on April 22, 2009 14:21
I love my 1985 Mustang...
Posted by Noya | April 22, 2009 9:03 PM
Posted on April 22, 2009 21:03
If you can notice, the compression ratio of the prius engine is about 13:1, that means it needs premium gas. If you notice insight engine compression ratio is 10.8:1 and uses regular gas. For marketing, the important letters are MPG, for final costumers the important thing is dollars/miles. Honda is always sacrificing "marketing numbers" for the really important numbers, the technical ones.
Posted by psous | April 23, 2009 11:25 AM
Posted on April 23, 2009 11:25
Atkinson and Miller are basically the same cycle, except that Aktinson applies to normally aspirated engines, and Miller cycle applies to forced induction. The key point being that in each, the expansion ratio is greater than the compression ratio. Doesn't work so hot unless you have direct injection of fuel, because to accomplish these cycles, the cam timing is set such that the intake valve is held open long enough for the piston to be on the compression stroke, blowing some of the charge back up into the intake. That's not ideal with just EFI, but great for DI...which is why there have been more Miller cycle diesels over the years....and very few gas burners, since GDI is a relative newcomer to the market.
Applying Atkinson to EFI means you're blowing air AND fuel back into the intake manifold, and you wind up losing some control over the A/F mixture when you do that.
The static compression ratio of the Prius could be 13:1 and still easily run on 87 octane fuel due to the cam timing used to accomplish the atkinson cycle.
Posted by JB | April 23, 2009 12:41 PM
Posted on April 23, 2009 12:41
My mistake about the gas grade. I've now read about atkinson cycle, which can be achieved by variable valve timing as Brian said. So Prius doesn't handle VVT? or if it does they make it sound more sofisticated by saying Atkinson cycle. Good innovations overall in this car.
Posted by psous | April 23, 2009 12:54 PM
Posted on April 23, 2009 12:54
Wow, impressive at half the cost of a Volt.
Posted by abc | April 24, 2009 3:56 PM
Posted on April 24, 2009 15:56
I love my 2006 Prius and will be trading it in on the new 2010 when available. I especially love it that all those Obama lovers think I'm a liberal tree hugger because I drive one of these. They must've been somewhat shocked when they caught my bumper sticker during the campaign, "NOBAMA." Oh yeah......he won the election ONLY because certain voters of Americana politics chose elequence of speech over substance. All I can say to those of you who voted for him......prepare yourself for a socialist republic 'cause we are headed there at warp speed. 2010 can't come quickly enough. Bottom line: I LOVE MY PRIUS!!! :)
Posted by Don | May 4, 2009 12:13 PM
Posted on May 4, 2009 12:13