Toyota Prius T Spirit Hybrid 1.5 VVT-i 5 Door Full Review
Posted: 15 January 2008 by SmartPlanet
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 dash screen's Intelligent Parking System helps the car park itself -- very cool
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. Continue reading...
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