Toyota Prius

A hi-tech petrol-electric powertrain makes the Toyota Prius hybrid one of the most frugal cars on the road

Auto Express Car Reviews

Rating:
Latest deal price: from £20,234 to £26,086
For : Very cheap to run, strong reliability record, spacious
Against : Awkward styling, high price tag, disappointing interior

The Prius is the world's best-selling hybrid and there's a good reason for its success. The petrol-electric powertrain is reliable, refined and extremely fuel efficient, allowing drivers to travel for short distances in full-electric mode or with a combination of the engine and electric motor.

Our choice: Toyota Prius 1.8 VVT-i Hybrid T4

Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the Toyota Prius

Styling

With a body specifically designed to cut through the air as aerodynamically as possible, designers have had to make some compromises with the styling of the Prius. It has a slightly awkward profile but the front and rear are both sharply designed. However, for its price the interior looks hi-tech but the plastics are hard and scratchy.

Driving and Performance

Power comes from a 1.8 litre petrol engine with 98bhp and an electric motor. Both units work together for a total of 132bhp. Over short distances – a mile or two at best – and at low speeds the Prius can be powered by the electric motor only, making for silent, emissions-free motoring. Under normal conditions, both the engine and motor work together seamlessly to provide punchy performance. The CVT gearbox is the only slight downside and can be noisy. Handling is impressively tight but the steering is uninvolving, meaning driving thrills are few and far between.

MPG and running costs

The Prius claims one of the lowest CO2 emissions figures on the road. At just 89g/km it's free from road-tax and free from London's congestion charge too. Economy is also impressive, with 72.3mpg claimed as a combined figure. The expensive part of owning a Prius is buying it in the first place .

Practicality

Some hybrid models have to make room for the batteries needed to power the electric motor and this often results in a small load area. In the Prius though there's a boot which is bigger than that of most family hatchbacks and it can be extended even further by folding the rear seats flat. There is a large digital read-out on the centre of the dash and a head-up display as standard. Basic kit is generous, with all models getting air-con, electric windows and keyless go.

Safety and reliability

Despite the futuristic sounding powertrain the Prius has actually been using a petrol-electric set up since 1998. In that time it has proven itself to be incredibly reliable and any worries about the batteries will be put at ease by the fact that some of the very first Prius models are still going strong. Euro NCAP have awarded the Prius a maximum five star rating for crash safety.

For an alternative review of the latest Toyota Prius visit our sister site carbuyer.co.uk

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6 Comments

NO

Oh God No!!!!!!

By cosworth28 on 1 September, 2011, 7:04pm

UGLY!!!!

Probably the ugliest and most lame family hatchback on sale today.

By JTravolta77 on 2 September, 2011, 10:18pm

SA-ANON

I am from South Africa and I find overseas reviews such as this one very interesting. I guess the generally average review of the Yaris will almost certainly garner a positive one in SA. The effect was the same with the new Nissan Micra which was lambasted in European reviews but lauded back home almost getting class honours. I guess brand cache is playing too much a role in the outcome of a review and is now outweighing the real aspects of a vehicle test. Rather test drive yourself and see...

By Historymaker88 on 2 September, 2011, 11:42pm

Prius has its place in todays motoring world

I think the Prius is often harshly judged. As a hardcore petrol head I like nothing more than cars like Nissan's GTR, Mitsubishi EVO and Subaru's Impreza and so on but I can certainly see the point in running a petrol electric hybrid like the Prius given the cost of motoring these days. I wouldnt buy a diesel because I simply dont like diesel engines.

By cousins11 on 8 September, 2011, 8:50pm

Most boring car on the road SSSSssssss

Would rather cycle to work than own this boring junk, at least it would be better for the environment and 100,000 times more fun.

By Richie767 on 11 September, 2011, 11:07am

Great Car

Interesting styling. Great dash...

0-60 in 10 secs, 70mpg+, Lots of leg room and boot space.

Not many cars out there can match that...

By bodgerx on 26 January, 2012, 12:28am

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Pictures

Toyota Prius