Toyota Prius T Spirit Hybrid 1.5 VVT-i 5 Door Review

Typical price:

£20,677

We like:

The space inside; visiting petrol stations rarely; the quiet engine

We don't like:

The rear view; the slow acceleration; Toyota's anti-eco lobbying in the US

SmartPlanet judgement:

For all the buzz that the Prius has created over the past several years, we must say, it has earned its stripes. On top of the combination electric motor, battery and engine, which saves fuel and makes the drive more efficient, the Prius can hold five adults comfortably -- honest -- and a load in the boot. We do object to the bad rear-view vision, however.

Score:

Contact:

Nice Car Company at http://www.toyota.co.uk
Telephone: +44 (0)1737 367 267

If there's one thing you won't get from us, it's a doom-laden view of the future -- you know, peak oil, climate change and all that. But we've got to say, cars are pretty pesky for the planet, so we're psyched when the auto industry comes up with something cleaner and more efficient.

Although Toyota's first attempt at the Prius was a commendable one, it wasn't what you could call easy on the eye. It looked a bit, well, dowdy -- and unsurprisingly, wasn't embraced by hoards of people. But fast forward to the second generation car we have now, and you get a much more glamorous vehicle that retains the tried and tested practical family car silhouette.

But that's where the similarities with your average Ford Focus end. Despite all the fancy hybrid drive gubbins, the car is incredibly user friendly. In fact, it proves easier to drive than a regular car. Quite simply, we like that all the magic -- the reasons for the 65.7mpg fuel efficiency and 104g/km CO2 emissions -- happens behind the scenes.

Driving goes something like this: with the keyless ignition system it's simply a case of getting in, belting up, pressing the starter button, sticking the car in 'drive', releasing the handbrake and pulling away. That's when the unbelievably quiet engine gets going -- a petrol engine that charges the batteries that power the electric engine, which gives the car some extra oomph when you're accelerating or carrying a heavy load. Along with the extra pace, the electric intervention helps reduce an ordinarily heavy hit on the car's fuel consumption. As an added bonus, if the engine's not too cold or the car has already been driven, you'll be driving off under battery power for the first few metres.

The Prius is no sports car but it can be driven briskly, although ultimately it prefers a more sedate pace. Watch out for the slow pick-up, especially when overtaking on the motorway. And also mind the limited view out the back -- it may have miles of dash and glass in the front, but behind, it's like looking out a ship's porthole.

Ride comfort is first-rate for something of this size, while the transition back and forth from electric to petrol is almost impossible to detect. This latest version of the Prius even has the option of switching exclusively to electric power, which is handy in car parks and for stop-start traffic. Don't worry, the petrol engine kicks in above a predetermined (low) speed or when the battery charge is low, and in the first instance it won't let you impersonate a milk float if the car's too cold.

From an ergonomic perspective, everything that's driver-orientated in the cabin is simple to operate. The steering is Toyota's usual 'town lite' setting, making urban running a breeze, while the stubby fascia-mounted gearlever requires nothing more than a quick nudge in the desired direction. There's no manly, oversized lever protruding from the floor, which frees up space in the cabin.

In fact, space inside is a huge plus. It's positively enormous, especially in the back, where you don't expect it. There's also a cavernous centre armrest storage box up front and a ridiculously roomy boot, which means the car works just as well as a five-door family hatch.

While the Prius' own green and ethical credentials are impressive, some of Toyota's corporate ones ain't so hot. Our questions on the manufacture and working conditions of the Prius went unanswered despite our nagging. Not all Toyota's cars are as green as the Prius, either. In the US, the car maker's biggest market, Toyota admits that its "vehicle sales growth [are] driven by the new Tundra [average MPG less than 20]" as well as the Prius.

More worryingly, the company's anti fuel economy lobbying in the US counts as a big black mark. As well as joining a lawsuit against the California state to fight legislation requiring CO2 cuts of 30 per cent, it also attempted to block legislation in the US Congress that was designed to boost fuel economy. And the car maker's sustainability report is not the most comprehensive we've come across from a motor company.

We do like the Prius, not because it's become the poster child of the eco transport lobby, but because the technology behind it just works. It's a smart, refined car that doesn't cost buckets of cash to run. It's a shining example of what can be achieved when technology is used positively and not just superficially to impress buyers. As a fuss-free mode of transport for active urban families, it hits the spot. Why can't more cars be like the Prius?

Edited by Marian Smith

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