2012 Toyota Prius

The reasons why Toyota's overachieving little Prius has become synonymous with “hybrid car” are many. To put it bluntly, no other vehicle has nailed the formula to date, and that includes the oft-compared 2012 Chevrolet Volt and 2012 Nissan LEAF.

The Prius is sold in Two, Three, Four and Five trim levels, while the cheaper One model is offered only for fleet sales (Taxicabs). The compact/midsize hybrid uses Toyota's tried & true Hybrid Synergy Drive system, which combines a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine to an electric motor which together generate 134 combined peak horsepower. All Prius models use a continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive to maximize fuel efficiency.

Despite the car's eco-friendly demeanor, it’s relatively easy to live with on a daily basis. Decent rear seat interior room and up to 21.6 cubic feet of cargo capacity (the rear seats fold down flat) combined with advanced safety and infotainment features provide a car that can save hundreds of dollars annually on fuel bills without making compromises in comfort or safety.

In addition, it should be noted that the Prius is not the only Hybrid model Toyota has released. The Prius lineup has expanded, and there are several versions currently available: the standard Prius (noted above), the smaller Prius c subcompact, the larger Prius v Wagon and the advanced Prius Plug-In range- extending Hybrid.