The most efficient cars are tiny things that barely fit two people and one
suitcase. If you need more room than that the Toyota Prius is the most efficient
car that also has a decent amount of space. In fact it would do quite nicely
as a family car. The Prius has been super successful since its launch back
in 2004. Its hard to believe this legendary car has been around that long.
Five years on and many car manufacturers still have their hybrids on the
drawing board. The unique aerodynamics of the Prius was a defining feature
for it and Toyota has largely kept the shape the same for the latest 2010
version.
The Prius power source is a hybrid system consisting of a 1.8 liter 73 kW
gas engine coupled to a 60kW electric motor. Performance is pretty much
comparable to most other family hatchbacks. Its no sports car but its not
designed to be one. The Prius has amazing fuel efficiency. This most efficient
car returns fuel mileage figures of 51 miles per gallon around town and
48 mpg on the open road. No other family car of similar size with a traditional
internal combustion engine can come close to this vehicle for fuel efficiency.
Tailpipe emissions are very low also at just 89g of CO2 per km.
Since this is a Toyota, build quality on the Prius is excellent. Mechanically
its very robust, is made of quality parts and is well put together. This
car shouldn't break down on you. In fact, I drive 15,000 miles a year, and
in the last 5 years since it was launched, I can't remember seeing any Prius
on the side of the road broken down.
The Prius has a range of features at the forefront of car technology. The
best features are saved for the optional Advanced Technology Package. Radar
cruise control alters the speed of the Prius depending on traffic conditions
ahead. The driver doesn't have to brake or accelerate as the traffic slows
or speeds up ahead. The radar detects you're getting closer to the vehicle
in front, brakes, and then accelerates again once there is enough room to
do so. Auto lane keeping is also a feature of the Advanced Technology Package,
and ensures the Prius doesn't wander from its lane on the freeway. Parking
assist performs a reverse parallel park for you once you have lined up the
car next to a space to park in. You just need to apply the brakes once the
Prius has steered the car into the space. A head up display on the car means
you don't need to take your eyes off the road to look at the instruments
on this most efficient car.
Another optional feature of the 2010 Prius is the Solar Roof Package. A
solar panel on the top of the vehicle powers a fan inside the car. When
the car is parked this fan will ventilate the interior of the car. When
you return to the car it should be cooler than otherwise. The Solar Roof
Package also includes remote air conditioning which cools the cabin for
a few minutes before you get in. Other options on this vehicle include an
ionizing cabin air cleaner, voice activated GPS, LED headlights, rear reversing
camera and leather heated seats. The base model Prius starts out pretty
spartan but the more expensive models are well equipped (comparable to luxury
cars) and the price increase reflects this. Toyota wanted to create a fairly
cheap base model to open their hybrid car up to a larger audience.
The Prius has taken on huge environmental responsibility, so I'm surprised
that Toyota would choose to include a remote air conditioner that runs when
there's nobody in the car. Air conditioners use a lot of energy and this
just seems like an unnecessary waste of electricity that at the end of the
day will require the usage of more gas. Similarly, I don't think the Prius
should be incorporating heaters in their seats! These use even more electricity
than the air conditioner. If Toyota are as serious as they say about the
Prius being an environmentally friendly car then such features shouldn't
be on it.
The Toyota Prius can fit 5 people quite comfortably and has a decent amount
of luggage space. The cabin is also a very pleasant place to be. For the
driver the controls are laid out logically. A large screen shows the power
transfer map between the petrol engine and electric motor, displays climate
information, navigation system and reversing camera. There's lots of buttons
on the steering wheel which sounds confusing but they're easy to use and
allow you to control many functions hands free. Visibility forwards is great
thanks to the large windows but rear visibility is more restricted. The
cars ride quality is very smooth and the car is virtually silent until the
petrol engine starts up at 25 mph.
As well as being a
most efficient car its a very safe one
too. The Prius gained five stars in crash tests, has seven airbags and has
antilock brakes as standard. Stability control is an option. Add to this
the incredible safety technology included if you pay extra for the Advanced
Technology Package and you have one very safe vehicle.
After 5 years, the Toyota Prius still leads the way in hybrid family cars.
Toyota keep on improving the car with every release and the latest Prius
is definitely the best yet - its the most economical, the safest, the most
practical and the most technologically advanced. You won't be disappointed
if you buy this car.