Toyota Prius Overview

Toyota is calling the Green faithful home again. The Toyota Prius is among the cleanest cars on the road today. It's also the most fuel-efficient five-passenger car sold in America, rated at 60/51 mpg City/Highway by the EPA.

The Prius is a gasoline/electric hybrid. Unlike electric cars, it does not need to be plugged in. A small, highly efficient keeps its battery charged, giving it mind-boggling driving range and the freedom to operate where and as any normal car would. No special knowledge or skills are needed to operate it. All you need to know is that it's a clean, highly fuel-efficient car.

The Prius has been completely redesigned and re-engineered for 2004, and the technology in this newest iteration is way ahead of the 2003 Prius as well as anything any other manufacturer has to offer. The only thing even remotely close is the Honda Civic Hybrid, though Ford will soon introduce a hybrid-powered Escape.

The new Prius is larger than before, moving it up from the compact to midsize class. It's roomy, with back seats that seat two adults and lots of cargo space. The fabric upholstery is as good as it gets. It's also more pleasant to look at with futuristic styling that attracts attention. It's not difficult to find in a crowded grocery store parking lot.

Making for an even better deal, Toyota has kept the base price for the new the same for 2004 as it was for the less-efficient 2003 model, while adding features.

All told, the 2004 Toyota Prius is an impressive technological statement, and a car that's easy to like and live with.