Just got back from the local dealer after test driving the 2010 Prius Level II, blue ribbon, with carpets and rear bumper guard. I'm very impressed. I found the car very roomy. The MID was much larger in person then the pictures I've seen (I was concerned it would be very thin, making it hard to see). The car still had the protective plastic on it and the electronics hadn't been setup. I had to put the key fob next to the start button to start the car. I was able to drive the car for about 20 miles total. The first thing I noticed is how easy it was to average over 50mpg real-time (with the AC on!). I was able to test the EV mode (once the battery had a decent charge) and I got it up to 19mph before the batteries got down to about 25% charge and it kicked off. Rear seat room was great, I'm 6'2" and had plenty of room both at the knees and in headroom (unlike the 2010 Honda Insights I tested last month). It's amazing how small the car looks like on the outside, how roomy it is in the inside. The only negative thing I can say is that it was making a funny "whirring" sound from the outside on the passenger side. It might have been because the plastic paint protective wrap was still on the car. I was even driving on a dirt road with washboard and it handled that without issues. I own a 2005 Honda Civic Hybrid with the 5-spd and this car will definitely replace it. Now if they can only get a Level 3 in Blizzard White without packages and I'm sold!
that whirring sound would the electric motor chugging away that's what lets you drive in pure EV mode, unlike with the HCH.
The stereo wasn't working at the time. It was the base stereo. The whirring was coming from the roof. Confirmed on second test drive with the wife. It ended up being the shipping plastic. Second drive I was able to go up to 24mph in EV mode without any issues.
You took a demo Prius off road. I love it. I feel guilty when I floor the demos I drive. Well not too guilty.
