I can’t think of any car in recent memory that’s shouldered so many stereotypes and expectations as the Toyota Prius, so I was intrigued to drive the Prius and see what all of the hullabaloo was about.
I was interested to see how the Prius differed from the other hybrids I’ve driven. It was definitively a Prius; I loved the look and feel of the interior. While I didn’t test whether the Prius handled a McCain bumper sticker any differently than an Obama sticker, I really don’t think there’d have been a difference in the car’s performance.
The Prius exceeded my expectations on the road. I merged onto the highway with plenty of power, once again putting the “hybrids-are-slow” smear campaign to rest. Shifting was smooth due to the continuously variable automatic transmission, and the quiet electric drive system contributed to the Prius’ car-of-the-future feel, which made the driving experience so enjoyable and different. Despite its inability to hover, the Prius should be respected as the innovative futuremobile that it is.
My point is this: Whatever political or environmental leanings you have, the Prius is cool. It’s a fun car to drive, and it drives differently than other hybrids I’ve tested. And if you write off the Pious, er…Prius due to any affiliations you may or may not have, you’re missing out.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS THAT COUNT
Storage Compartments (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Ample
Cargo/Trunk Space (Puny, Fair, Ample, Galore): Fair-Ample
SENSE AND STYLE
Family Friendly (Not Really, Fair, Great, Excellent): Great
Fun-Factor (None, Some, Good Times, Groove-On): Groove On
A Prius is unique looking; some might say it looks goofy or weird. I personally think it looks like an almond, but some people want their car to look like a car. But the Prius has become more ubiquitous in our automotive landscape, so people are getting used to them now and can identify them readily. My daughter was in a “Slug Bug” drought one day and asked if we could play “Prius” instead.
Maybe its looks aren’t your cup of tea, and maybe you just can’t commit to a goofy-looking car. I recommend that you drive it before completely ruling it out, and perhaps the Prius will sway you. How? It’s fun to drive and has some pep in its four-cylinder engine. The Prius disproves the idea that a hybrid is slow and boring. Granted, you won’t get the greatest mileage when you’re leadfooting around, but that’s just common knowledge, right?
I was delighted by the interior’s simplicity and modern feel. The cupholders are tucked away under rounded black plastic covers; finger smudges show up so easily there, but it sure looks pretty when it’s clean. The bisque-colored leather added a crisp contrast to the black interior. I loved the high ceiling and floors without humps; I can fit my purse under the dash. Democrat and Republican moms can all respect that! It’s so easy to move around in the Prius, I think it’s the most effortless car I’ve been in for some time.
My kids would agree. There were no problems with their booster seats fitting flush against the back, and no tricky seat belt receptors. Yes, it’s a small car, but it delivers a surprising amount of passenger space. When my whole family was in the car, we were comfortable with how much legroom we had. There are two sets of Latch connectors, both easy to reach, but they’re a bit sandwiched between the seatback and bench.
Everybody’s favorite feature in the Prius is the efficiency readout on the dash. This fun screen tells the driver (and anyone else in the car) about the Prius’ fuel efficiency, how the car’s getting its power and when the battery is storing power. It’s fun to try to best yourself with your mpgs or how quickly you can recharge the battery; it’s even more fun when you’re looking at a day filled with errand-running. And I’ll tell you something else, whether you believe in global warming or not, whether you think it’s manmade or not, whether the price of gas affects you all that much or not, it feels pretty good to know that I can drive a fun car that’s clean (unlike the rest of my life) and doesn’t take more money out of my pizza and shoe budget.
The Toyota Prius comes with driver and passenger front-impact, side-impact and side curtain airbags. She has traction control, antilock braking and even a tire pressure monitoring system. While I don’t think about most of these safety items on a daily basis, one thing that really makes me feel good is how solid this car feels. The doors aren’t tinny, and the fit and finish is clean and tight.
The visibility out the back of the Prius is excellent. There’s a lower window below the rear end’s spoiler that allows for a terrific view out the back. The design of many smaller cars these days employs a rear end that sits up high, making visibility a problem. Our fair Prius has no such issue. Say what you will about its odd shape, but there’s a method to the madness. In case the Prius’ lower window doesn’t offer enough visibility for you, there’s also a rearview camera.
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