Toyota Prius

Expert Rating:

What is it?

You know what the Prius is by now, surely? This is the all-new, third-generation version of Toyota's hybrid planet saver, and guess what? It's even quicker, even more spacious, better looking and, vitally, even cleaner than the one it usurps. It's an old cliché, but the Prius is something of an opinion divider, because some reckon its hybrid technology is a complicated and expensive way of getting fuel and emissions savings that are, in fact, no better than can be found in a modern diesel.

And on the face of it that argument is valid, and it gained ever more credibility throughout the last Prius's lifespan as diesels got cleaner and more efficient. However, the word 'Prius' derives from Latin and means 'to go before,' which is exactly what Toyota's hybrid does: it's a stepping stone to the next generation of harmless emissions-free full electric cars.

Is it any good?

The new Prius ticks all the boxes that an updated model should: it's simultaneously cleaner, quicker, more powerful and doesn't cost much more than the car it replaces. But that stuff won't mean much if it doesn't actually feel better on the road.

Thankfully it does - much better. The new Prius is exceptional because of its normality. To explain that, Toyota has made a car that doesn't seem compromised by its technical brilliance. All the fundamentals are there: it's spacious in the cabin, with plenty of head and leg room front and back; it has a big boot and lots of storage space in the cabin; it's a comfortable cruiser on the motorway, yet it's also decent on more winding stretches of tarmac; it soaks up broken urban roads without crashing down into potholes; it's safe because it has lots of airbags and a 'pre-crash' system that senses an imminent smash and locks up the seatbelts; and, fundamentally, it's really cheap to run and tax.

It's far from perfect though. The interior is designed with flair and practicality, but it's fashioned from plastics that aren't the standard you'd expect of a car costing so much. The gearbox, a CVT automatic, is - by the very nature of being a CVT - a whiney thing, but even then, it's still relatively hushed compared to some we've tried. This is not a car to thrash - though that's not the point, is it?

The Hybrid Synergy Drive that powers the Prius is improved in every way, so it's cleaner (89g/km of CO₂), more economical (72.4mpg combined) and more powerful (up by 22bhp, to 134bhp). There are three driving modes: EV, eco and power. The first allows pure electric power (which is unique to Toyota's hybrid system - the Honda Insight can't do it) at speeds of up to 31mph and for just over a mile. Eco mode regulates the throttle to minimise fuel consumption and shuts down the air conditioning when it's not needed, while power mode does the opposite - giving more power and sharper accelerator response. The battery is charged by energy recapture during braking, although that makes the brake pedal feel 'sticky' and hard to regulate at times.

Should I call the bank manager?

The Prius always has been, and remains, an expensive car to buy. Toyota has pegged the prices at the top and bottom end of a three-pronged range comprising T3, T4 and T-Spirit specs, though that means the majority will see no price increase because the maker expects most buyers will opt for a top-of-the-range car. At £21,210 it's expensive to buy, but it's also exceptionally cheap to run - with some journalists at the car's press launch registering fuel economy in the high 80s (mpg) during an 'eco drive' on normal roads - and will exempt London city drivers from government congestion extortion. It's cheap to insure too, and although we'd still suggest some diesel hatchbacks have slightly lower overall lifecycle costs, the Prius still offers masses of space in relation to its day-to-day expense.

Summary

For us, the Prius is very close to being a five-star car, though giving it that score suggests it's perfect, and it isn't. It's exceptional, however, because it requires so little compromise. For all its technological flair, it drives like a normal family hatchback (albeit a futuristic one), but not only that, it drives like a decent one. If you're after a proper driver's car, the Prius is still not for you, but it trounces the Honda Insight in every respect. It is more expensive than its Japanese rival, but the Prius has a feel good factor that extends to much more than just the smugness instilled by owning a hybrid.

Mark Nichol