subject: Chicago 2010 Prius Shoppers Find Fun And Practicality In Toyota Hybrid [print this page] The race for the highest-performing fuel-efficient vehicle is heating up. And so, Ive found myself asking myself what the whole movement will mean for the car industry. Eco-friendliness, of course, is something that we should all strive for. The struggle to reduce and eventually eliminate Americas dependence on foreign oil is another bold and necessary reason for the reform. And, most importantly for consumers, the reform movement will help lower costs associated with fuel, offering drivers a lower total cost of ownership for their vehicles.
With all the benefits of hybrid technology, Im still a concerned driver. A lot of the hype on electric and hybrid vehicles has focused solely on the benefits of fuel-efficiency. But a lot of the criticism has centered on other important factors in your driving experience. For instance, do hybrid vehicles perform as well as traditional fuel combustion engines? With all the attention paid to fuel consumption, have the designers paid enough attention to style?
To do a little detective work, I recently stopped by my Chicago new Prius dealership to see what the flagship hybrid vehicle had to offer. And boy was I surprised. For 2010, Toyota has made some stunning new updates to the Prius that make it one of the most competitive vehicles on the market to date. Not only was the Prius fuel efficient, but it was also fun, stylish, high-performing and practical. And to think, I became a believer by simply stepping inside a North Shore Toyota dealership.
Intellichoice.com, an auto information company, claims the Prius is among a small list of hybrid vehicles that will pay for themselves in five years. For 2010, fuel efficiency has been beefed up a tiny bit, and the vehicle benefits from a larger engine that adds 24 more horsepower. Better brakes provide higher safety ratings, while the vehicles design has lost much of what many considered its ugliness by employing a more aerodynamic design. Potential Chicago 2010 Prius owners will beam with joy when they enter their Chicago new Prius dealer.
The changes contributing to better aerodynamic functionality also add a little extra headroom for passengers while simultaneously creating a subtly new and more attractive roofline. When I visited my North Shore Toyota dealership, one of the big design changes the car salesman mentioned was the notched back, consisting of a horizontal rear crease that stretches out the hatchback lip to create a spoiler effect. Chicago 2010 Prius drivers are sure to love these great new design changes.
The interior features some beneficial changes as well. A floating console (an idea borrowed from Volvo) gives the cabin a much freer feel while offering some extra cargo space. Like a lot of sports cars, the Prius steering wheel has a slightly flattened bottom. Overall, the inside of the Prius is comfortable and inviting.
If youre not a believer in the hybrid revolution, do what I did: stop by your North Shore Toyota dealership and give the 2010 Prius a look for yourself. What have you got to lose?
