Prius

The Toyota Prius is built upon its revolutionary versatility.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the Prius’ superb interior packaging, which helps extends the car’s appeal beyond simple fuel efficiency. Its hatchback body style allows for an impressive amount of cargo to be lugged around, while a surprisingly commodious backseat makes it a plausible replacement for a family sedan.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The Toyota Prius is a midsize hatchback available in three trim levels: Standard, Base and Touring. The standard model comes with 15-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry, full power accessories, tilt-only steering wheel, touchscreen and steering-wheel controls, a hybrid system display and a six-speaker stereo with a CD player.

The Base trim adds different wheels, a cargo cover, heated mirrors and cruise control. The Touring trim is differentiated by a sportier suspension, 16-inch wheels, xenon headlights, foglights and a larger rear spoiler.

The Prius options list is extensive, capable of transforming this hybrid from humble economy car to near luxury status. It includes leather-trimmed seats and steering wheel. A choice of satellite radio providers is a stand-alone, dealer-installed option.

Powertrains and Performance

This drivetrain consists of a 1.5-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine and two electric motors one driving the front wheels, the other functioning solely as a generator to recharge the car’s battery pack. Power is routed through a specialized continuously variable automatic transmission. The gas engine produces 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque.

Power delivery is smooth and consistent from rest all the way to top speed. In performance testing, we clocked the Prius from 0 to 60 mph in 10.4 seconds. The EPA estimates the Prius will achieve 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway and 46 mpg combined.

Safety

Every Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock brakes with brake assist, traction control, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags. Stability control is standard on all but the standard trim level.

In government crash tests, Toyota’s hybrid car earned four stars out of five for driver and front-passenger protection in frontal impacts. In side-impact testing, it earned five stars for front-occupant protection and four stars for the rear.

Interior Design and Special Features

The overall look of the Prius is upscale, if not a little oddball. The dash is flat and wide, with a large touchscreen, digital gauges, stubby electronic shifter and plenty of steering-wheel buttons. Climbing inside, you tend to feel as if you’re about to take a trip in Epcot’s “Car of the Future.” Fit and finish is very tight and materials are pretty good. The Prius’ electronic gauges are crystal-clear, mounted high and located close to the driver’s line of sight, almost like a head-up display.

The Prius offers a spacious cabin and comfy seats, the backseat, on the other hand, offers plenty of room for adults and rear-facing infant seats. The 14.4-cubic-foot hatchback trunk is also quite large and can accommodate several roller suitcases, golf clubs or a double stroller.