Consumer Reports: 2010 Toyota Prius still most fuel efficient car in America - Green Cars

2010 Toyota Prius - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Toyota redesigned the popular Prius hybrid for the 2010 model year, the Japanese automaker claimed it had made the car a bit larger, improved its performance and decreased its fuel consumption. A number of first drives and road tests seemed to prove that Toyota had indeed hit the target on all counts, and now Consumer Reports is jumping into the ring with its own test results.

While CR did in fact see an improvement in highway mileage at 55 mpg (compared to 50 mpg from the previous Prius), the crew actually found that city fuel economy suffered a bit at 32 mpg as opposed to the 35 mpg of its predecessor. Average it all up, and the Prius hybrid’s 44 mpg overall score means Toyota’s fuel-sipping hatchback is still the most fuel efficient vehicle available in America.

As far as subjective tests go, CR found that handling on the Prius is “sound, but unexceptional and the ride is well controlled overall.” Acceleration was described as “adequate,” though a bit winded when climbing hills or merging on the freeway. Click past the break for the press release and stay tuned for the November edition of the print magazine for CR’s full test.

Gallery: 2010 Toyota Prius