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2008 Toyota Prius
2008 Toyota Prius
A Headier Hybrid
The Toyota Prius blends incredible fuel economy with unmistakable looks and a dash of practicality.
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Toyota's futuristic-looking Prius has been embraced by extroverted, environmentally concerned motorists, because, unlike other gas/electric hybrid vehicles that are versions of regular cars and SUVs, the Prius has a look all its own.
Great fuel economy isn't the only advantage when it comes to owning a Prius. The federal government allows an income tax credit for buyers of gas/electric hybrid vehicles. In some states, owners of hybrid vehicles like the Prius enjoy certain privileges, like being able to drive in carpool lanes with only one occupant.
The Prius' Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain consists of a 76-hp 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that works in tandem with an electric motor/generator and a bank of high-output, rechargeable nickel metal hydride (NiMH) batteries to produce the equivalent of 110 hp. Only the electric motor powers the vehicle when pulling away from a stop and at lower speeds (as long as you don’t floor it); at higher speeds and during stronger acceleration, power comes from both the gasoline engine and the electric motor. Overall, the car's acceleration is roughly equivalent to that of a four-cylinder Toyota Camry.
The Prius shuts its gasoline engine off automatically at a stop to conserve fuel and reduce exhaust emissions; it starts up automatically when the driver lifts his or her foot off the brake pedal and depresses the accelerator. A continuously variable automatic transmission is standard.
Under deceleration or braking, the generator sends electrical power back to the batteries through a process known as regenerative braking. This enables the batteries to maintain their power without ever having to be recharged from an external source. The Prius' rechargeable battery pack is covered under an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty.
The Prius achieves excellent fuel economy because of all this technology. It returns around 45 mpg in city and highway driving.• Toyota Prius Vehicle Summary
The Prius has a roomy interior and a convenient hatchback, though the trunk isn't as large as those on most midsize sedans. A large electronic display dominates the dash and shows where the Prius is drawing its power. It can be distracting.
The Prius comes well-equipped, with options only offered in packages that range from the Package 1 (which includes a six-speaker CD/MP3 stereo, a back-up camera, and a keyless entry/start Smart Key system), to the Package 6 (with a navigation system, stability control, a Bluetooth wireless cell phone interface, leather upholstery, and many other extras).
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The Toyota Prius is proving to be just as reliable as any Toyota. Consumer Reports says it has much better than average reliability.
You care about fuel economy and reducing pollution and want people to know about it.
You need a larger vehicle; you like high levels of performance, handling, or luxury, in which case you should check out other hybrids offered by Lexus and Honda.
The Prius is roomier than the car's exterior dimensions might indicate and will hold four adults comfortably, with a fifth able to squeeze into the rear seat for quick trips. Short and tall drivers should feel equally comfortable behind the wheel.
The Toyota Prius was the world’s first gas/electric hybrid-powered production vehicle when it went on sale in Japan in 1997. It wasn't the first hybrid sold in the U.S., however. That distinction goes to the Honda Insight, which debuted in December 1999. The Prius was brought to American shores in 2001. It was subsequently redesigned as a larger hatchback model from the previous sedan layout — the EPA now classifies it as a midsize car by virtue of its interior volume — with a new hybrid powertrain for the 2004 model year.
Buyers have been known to wait weeks and even months to take delivery of a new Toyota Prius, though demand seems to have settled down in recent months. It remains a trendy choice among environmentally conscious Hollywood celebrities. One of the reasons for its continued popularity is the fact that, unlike most hybrids on the market, the Prius looks the part of a forward-thinking vehicle, with futuristic styling inside and out.
Prius is Latin for "to go before," so Toyota sees its innovative hybrid vehicle as a predecessor of cars to come. It's built at the automaker's Tsutsumi Plant in Toyota City, Japan. Toyota Priuses sold in Japan and Europe can be equipped with a novel system, only offered in the U.S. on the Lexus LS 460, that allows the car to perform parallel and reverse-parking maneuvers assisted by the onboard computer. It’s not quite a self-parking vehicle in that regard, but it comes close.
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