2009 Toyota Prius 1.8 Hybrid CVT (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Unveiled at the 2009 New York Auto Show, the third generation of the Prius surprised its customers not just with its evolved technology but also with a new styling that was far from being bland anymore.

While the first generation of the Prius was the ugly duck of the Toyota family, the third generation came with a surprising design. In addition, it boasted a wide range of technology packages that made customers feel happier with their vehicles. Even though it didn’t provide any sort of brisk acceleration times, it was good enough to merge on the highways without the fear of not being able to emerge onto the first lane quickly. Moreover, since the Prius was already a worldwide phenomenon, it became a statement vehicle for those fighting for a cleaner environment. Unfortunately for the Japanese automaker, the world financial crisis that started in late 2008 affected sales. Despite that, the third generation of the Prius, also known as the XW30, reached more than 1.6 million customers, slightly exceeding its predecessor’s numbers.

At the front, the most eye-catching elements were the swept-back headlights. They featured a double curvature at their upper side as if they were stretched back by an aerodynamic force. Between them, Toyota added a redesigned grille. Furthermore, the carmaker’s badge was moved from the hood to the upper side of the bumper. Lower, in the apron, the automaker placed a rectangular-shaped air intake that complemented the cooling area flanked by stacked fog lamps.

The car’s profile didn’t change too much compared to the Prius’ second generation. Its front side featured a short nose and a raked windshield that almost continued the hood’s ascending line. The greenhouse, on the other hand, was slightly taller but still featured a curved roof. Toyota tried to make the car more aerodynamic and managed to get a Cd of just 0.25 for the 2010 Prius. The Kamback rear end, with a sloped broad rear window complemented by a tiny glass area on the vertical side of the tailgate, helped the Prius achieve that. On the profile, a crease crossed the car’s front to back, making it more attractive. In addition, the car rode on newly designed 15-inch alloy wheels.

Inside the cabin, Toyota reconsidered the overall design and listened to its customers. While the instrument panel remained placed on top of the dashboard, closer to the windshield, the center stack was entirely new. It still featured a touch-sensitive LCD for the infotainment system, but the gear selector was no longer there. Toyota moved it to the center console. The front seats were completely new and featured bolstered areas. In addition, the car had eco-friendly upholstery, giving it an upscale look. At the back, there was plenty of headroom and legroom for three adult passengers. At the same time, the split-folding bench seat could expand the already big trunk space for a compact-sized vehicle.

Under the hood, things evolved dramatically. Toyota ditched the formerly used 1.5-liter powerplant and replaced it with a newer, more potent 1.8-liter unit. The transmission was no longer a simple CVT but an eCVT, which proved to be a better choice for the car’s hybrid synergy drive system. All versions had anti-lock braking systems, traction control, and other safety features. In addition, customers could order the Prius fitted with solar panels on the roof, adaptive cruise control, and a lane-keeping assist system.