2004-2008 Toyota Prius: Road Test

We clocked a 2004 Prius at 10.5 sec 0-60 mph, slower than most conventional economy cars. Passing response is equally sluggish, and speed tails off rapidly up steep hills, but the car copes well enough with fast-moving metro traffic. Fuel economy is not as advertised-it never is with hybrids-but is terrific all the same. The worst we could do was 36.7 mpg with mostly aggressive city driving and gas-eating performance tests. Other test cars returned 42.6-45.2 mpg in more-restrained city/highway use, 41.7 mpg in mainly highway driving, figures reflecting the fact that hybrids are most efficient at city speeds. Part of that stems from a fuel-saving feature that shuts off the gas engine at stoplights, then restarts it on applying the throttle. There's a slight shudder as the engine cuts in and out, but you get used to it. Not so the annoying surging and bogging we encountered in cruising conditions. Just as it favors mileage over muscle, the Prius emphasizes ride comfort over road manners. The ride is supple and cushy, helped by the relatively long wheelbase, though there's some float over large humps at highway speed. Handling suffers from the soft suspension and skinny, economy-biased tires. Cornering is safe and front-drive predictable, but it's not much fun, with fairly marked body lean and limited grip. The skinny tires also compromise straightline stability, especially in crosswinds, and tend to follow road grooves. But none of this is alarming, and the car's compact size and tight turning circle are great in the urban confines. Some of our testers, however, thought the electric steering a bit light and artificial-feeling. Stopping power is good, though brake-pedal action was unprogressive on a couple of test cars. Refinement is good by small-car standards. Wind and road noise are relatively modest. So is mechanical ruckus except at high rpm, where the Toyota engine is a bit gruffer and growlier than Honda's 4-cyl in the Civic Hybrid. As noted, this compact boasts midsize-car passenger and cargo room. Seats front and rear are class-typical for shape and padding, yet most of our staff found them long-haul comfortable. Tall occupants might wish for more seat travel in front and more head room in back, but the deficits are small. Entry/exit is easy, especially for a compact. Cabin d¿cor is hi-tech without overdoing it. Plastics and fabrics are Toyota's usual sturdy stuff. The hatchback design is equally practical. There's 16.1 cu. ft. of cargo space with all hands aboard, and a standard 60/40 split folding rear seat opens up a good deal more. Alas, the sloped tail and high load floor preclude toting bulky stuff with the hatch closed, despite a large opening. Small-items storage is better than average, with twin dashboard gloveboxes, a roomy console bin, and an under-floor compartment in the cargo bay. There's a minivan feel behind the wheel, with a highish seat position, relatively vast dashtop, and a close-up view of the road through a steeply angled windshield. Still, some testers found the front pillars interfered with seeing around turns. Visibility to the sides is good, less so aft and over-the-shoulder, thanks to the sloping roof. Instruments and some controls continue the hi-tech theme. A digital speedometer, fuel gauge and transmission indicator sit directly ahead of the driver; they're fairly distant, but easy enough to read. The multifunction touch screen is pretty intuitive, but readily picks up fingerprints and can wash out in direct sunlight. The available "smart entry" system with engine on/off button takes some learning, as does the odd action of the small shift lever sprouting from the dash.

Value for the Money
The Prius proves there's more to "economy" than purchase price and miles per gallon. With the heated global-warming debate and record gas prices unlikely to ease, this hybrid should be as much in demand as a used car as it's been on the new-car market. But its low emissions and high mpg may cost you more vs. conventional economy cars, especially given Toyota's reputation for workmanship and reliability. Note, too, that this is a technically sophisticated machine that could cost a bundle to fix if something major goes wrong. And make no mistake: Electronics still can go wrong. With those caveats, the second-generation Prius is a pleasant and practical compact that lets you drive "green" with extra greenbacks in your pocket. You may never save enough in gas to offset its price premium and service costs, but you'll love it every time you fill up.