One the primary determinants of Prius performance is the model year. Here is a table of the 2008 versus the 2010:
Obviously, the mileage has significantly improved, Driving style is important but it is obviously harder to get lower mileage with the ZVW30 compared to the NHW20.
Bob Wilson
This graph shows the data for the NHW11, NHW20, and ZVW30:
The ZVW30's onboard computer tries more actively to manage the car's energy efficiency than the NHW20. Some hypermilers like Wayne Gerdes find this tendency to be annoying -- it's sort of like one too many chefs in the kitchen. However, for the non-hypermiler driver, the more active onboard computer means more MPGs.
I've driven the NHW20 only twice (two road trips from DC to Detroit) - I like the NHW20 interior more than the Star Trek ZVW30 interior. I don't use the middle hand rest in the 2010 - its gets in the way most of the time and the fabric is too easily soiled. I like the ZVW30 HSI display but the HV SoC gauge should have been a permanent display next to the gasoline fuel tank gauge. I feel that ZVW30 driver's seat is more comfortable for longer trips than the NHW20 driver's seat The ZVW30 upper glove compartment needs a lower lip to limit/prevent items from falling out. The ZVW30 needs a coolant-temperature gauge. A electric power ready green/red LED would be nice ( if the inverter temps are too high or the battery is not available then the two phase LED would be red not green). I've found for tracking fuel efficiency a Gallons Per Hour (or Liters Per Hour) coupled with the RPM output is useful than the iMPG because when one is going up hill - its more important to set the ICE at its optimium power-to-fuel usage ratio than to get the highest iMPG.
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