Headroom in the Prius is excellent in both the front and rear seats. I was quite disappointed though with front seat legroom. I could have used a few extra inches of stretch for my limbs, and I'm a sub-six-footer. Those taller may find the shortage of floorpan more problematic, especially on long trips.

Prius ride quality is really unexceptional. The vehicle rides like a typical compact or sub-compact car, meaning that road degradation is felt more so than in the Toyota Camry Hybrid I road tested prior to this week's Prius. Still, the Prius is solid and composed when faced with the bumps and thumps of city life; it's not likely to disappoint pragmatic buyers.

The combine output is sufficient to get you through your daily commute and more.

Hybrid Synergy Drive
The Prius benefits from a full-hybrid gas/electric powertrain. This enables the vehicle to be propelled by a combination of gas and electric power, or by electricity alone. The gas engine is a high efficiency, 1.5 litre DOHC four-banger featuring variable valve timing. The combination of this engine and the high-torque electric motor/generator completing Toyota's Synergy Drive technology results in the production of 110 horsepower and 67 pound-feet of torque.

As one might expect, acceleration and passing performance are not Prius attributes. Nonetheless my tester had no difficulty in keeping up with traffic and moving ahead of slower vehicles, its Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) keeping the diminutive mill revving where it worked best. If not in acceleration, the Prius reigns supreme in fuel efficiency. Toyota claims a rating of just 4.0 and 4.2 litres of fuel per 100K of city and highway driving respectively.

According to the car's onboard computer, my real-world motoring netted an average consumption of 5.7 litres in combined driving. Not anywhere near Toyota's claim of economy but decent just the same. Smugness is justified in knowing that the Prius meets the exceptionally rigorous US-based Tier 2 Bin 3 emissions rating.

Safety
The Prius arrives very well appointed indeed. Along with a generous load of comfort and convenience accoutrements, it is stocked with a full array of airbags as standard equipment. The list includes front seat side-mounted airbags and front and rear head/side curtain airbags. Electronic traction control and antilock brakes are also supplied as standard fare.

Prius Wrap
I'm of the belief that Prius buyers can take comfort in knowing that their vehicle, while frugal and clean to operate, will also be reliable. After road testing two hybrids in a row, both of which hover in the $30K price range, I'm becoming more of a convert in favour of the technology. Auto manufacturers are now delivering much more car for the money when it comes to hybrids. Paying expensive premiums for environmental altruism is no longer the case. The Prius is a solid example of this.


Reliability
Frugality of ownership
Environmental altruism


Unable to achieve Toyota's fuel efficiency rating
Ride quality is mediocre
Exterior styling



Interior layout


Photo Credit : Rob Rothwell