Design
In designing the new 2010 Prius, Toyota engineers were careful to refine existing systems while adding significant new technological features. With regard to exterior design, the goal was to create a beautiful silhouette while not compromising function, according to the company. Designers preserved the dynamic triangle form of the current model but made alterations to the overall profile, pillar position and angle. The front pillar was extended forward, helping to refine the form and give it a more sporting appearance, the company says. The overall height of the Prius is the same, but the peak of the roofline has been moved 3.9 inches rearward. This, according to Toyota, emphasizes the car's wedge shape and also allows for enhanced rear head room and improved aerodynamics. The wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles) is unchanged, and overall length is up by a mere 0.6 inches.

Not surprisingly, aerodynamics played a key role in the design of the new 2010 Toyota Prius. According to Toyota, the new Prius received more wind tunnel hours of testing than any other model in the company's history, resulting in the cleanest aerodynamic profile of any mass-produced vehicle in the world. By focusing on the shape of the body and airflow under the car, the designers of the new Prius were able to reduce the coefficient of drag (Cd) value to 0.25, compared to 0.26 for the previous model.

Just as critical as aerodynamics, keeping overall weight in check was also a goal of the new Prius design team. According to Toyota, weight was saved through the use of aluminum and super high-tensile steel in various areas of the vehicle.

The interior of the new 2010 Toyota Prius is enhanced with a center cluster that flows smoothly from the instrument panel to the console. Simple, fin-type air vents are consistent with the cabin's efficient appearance, and judicious use of silver accents adds a finished, technical feel, according to Toyota. Proving that small changes add up to big gains, the cargo area of the new Prius was expanded 0.4 inches in length and 2.2 inches in width by using a new and improved layout of the battery cooling unit. Rear-seat leg room is enhanced by a new space-saving contoured front-seat design. Also, storage space has been added under the shift lever thanks to the Prius' shift-by-wire system.