Teresa’s View
The Toyota Prius is still an odd-looking car. Some of its more futuristic features have been toned down, but looking at it, one recognizes that this is a different beast.
It was the first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid when it was introduced in 1997 in Japan. By the time it appeared on these shores in 2000, it immediately became the darling of green drivers, making it the best-selling hybrid vehicle in the U.S. and the world.
Since mileage is this car’s mainstay, I monitored my usage during my week with the tester. In a combination of primarily city driving with a smattering of highway time, I managed an average of 46 miles to the gallon. More conservative driving would certainly yield even better results.
Driving the Prius is fundamentally the same as driving any other car. Acceleration is comparable to a four-cylinder midsize car due to Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive that produces power from both a gasoline engine and electric motor. It takes regular fuel and never needs to be plugged in — the batteries recharge during regular driving.
The only real difference is that at a stop, the engine shuts down — like a golf cart — only to start back up again when the driver hits the gas pedal. Also, there’s a beeping sound when backing up, which alerts pedestrians in case the Prius is running silently in electric mode. To enhance safety, an optional rear back-up camera has been added.
Over the years the Prius has earned a slew of awards for advanced hybrid technology. Most recently — and most importantly — it bested gas-powered vehicles to take top spots in traditional national contests. Last year, Consumer Reports listed the Prius as one of its “Best Vehicles for $25,000 or Less.” For the past two years, IntelliChoice named it the “Best Car Value Under $23,000.”
What Is It?: The Toyota Prius is a gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle. The four-door, five-passenger midsize hatchback retails for about $22K.
Gadget Rating: 6 out of 10. The dash takes some getting used to, especially the shifter, which operates more like a joy stick than a shift lever. I like the recessed speedometer just below the windshield, but I’m not fond of the LCD display. If you switch to the audio display, for example, it reverts to the default fuel consumption screen after a few minutes. It’s especially annoying since the only way to access the audio controls are through the display or the redundant controls on the steering wheel. Speaking of the audio system, upgrades feature MP3 capability and a mini-jack port. A new advanced airbag system offers improved safety.
Grocery Sack Test: The hatchback configuration opens wide to handle all sorts of cargo. A handy reading light is located in the cargo area for those late-night grocery runs.
What’s Your Name?: Prius is Latin for “to go before.” Toyota says the name suggests the Prius is an example of cars to come.
So, Where Are Ya From?: The Prius is built at the Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Japan.