Category: Small Family 
Price Range: £18,370 to £21,230
Low emissions, fuel economy, low running costs, eco-friendly image, well-equipped, roomy cabin.
Advanced technology still not that well-proven, complex controls, CVT transmission only.
May be too much of a leap of faith for some as yet, but this is the (not too distant) future of family motoring.
This is no ordinary family hatchback. Sure, it's roomy, attractive, comfortable, refined and built to a very high quality, but under that relatively conservative-looking bodyshell there's some immensely complex technology. The 2004 Prius features a new generation of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system, with an electric motor supplementing the power of its 1.5-litre petrol engine to give performance exceeding that of most conventional 2.0-litre equivalents - and fuel economy of 65.7mpg, better than similarly sized diesels. Add to that low carbon dioxide emissions (104g/km), meaning low company car tax bills, and exemption from London's congestion charge, and this car should be a cost-effective family or fleet purchase as well as a technological showcase.
Hybrid systems - on the verge of becoming mainstream - may not be the ultimate answer to reducing oil dependency, but they're a fine step in the right direction and mark a significant interim stage before zero-emissions fuel cell and hydrogen-powered cars are ready for mass production. This Prius produces the lowest nitrous oxide and hydrocarbon emissions of any internal combustion-engined car on sale in Europe, it saves one tonne of carbon dioxide a year compared to a similarly powered diesel, and will save over a third of the carbon dioxide of an equivalent petrol car over its entire life-cycle. But to drive it, you'd never know, as it feels just like a 'normal' car, and you don't even need to think about recharging batteries for the electric motor, so it's no more hassle to own.
The earlier Prius, Toyota's first hybrid on sale, fell down on its less-than-inspiring performance, its saloon shape (never popular with UK buyers) and dumpy styling. This new model addresses all those issues, and proves that you don't have to compromise on driving pleasure, practicality or fashionable looks to achieve economy or eco-friendliness. What's your excuse for not buying one?
A blink and you'll miss it facelift occurred at the start of 2006 with a new front grille and minor revisions to head and taillights. Soft-touch materials feature inside and a new leather interior is on offer.
Latest Readers' Drives About the Toyota Prius
wrote on 01 02 2007
wrote on 11 10 2006
wrote on 01 10 2006
wrote on 09 06 2006