I had been following with anticipation the development of hybrid electric/gas technology for years, anxiously awaiting its arrival on the consumer market. When it finally became "orderable" in July 2000, I made sure I was the first on my block (probably in my county) to order the technology... it's so intelligent, it amazes me. It has two engines side-by-side under the hood, an electric motor and a small 4-cylinder gas engine. There's a row of batteries for the electric motor, stored low in the back of the trunk. They and the hybrid technology are warranted for 8 years.

There’s no way to plug it in even if I wanted to – all that is taken care of automatically. The built-in software takes a number of factors into consideration when deciding which engine to use, and when and how to charge the batteries. When the car starts, the gas engine also starts, but only runs until it reaches normal temperature. When conditions allow, the car runs on the electric motor only and the gas engine shuts down. When climbing or accelerating, or if the batteries need to be re-charged, the gas engine automatically re-engages. The batteries will also be recharged whenever the car is coasting and whenever the brakes are applied. The only way I know the gas engine shuts down, though, is by observing the energy display monitor -- it's too quiet to be heard! Even starting it up is quieter -- there's no cranking starter -- the gas engine is simply "on".

In addition, there are no “shift points” – it uses a continually variable transmission to adjust the gear ratios to whatever is most efficient – it’s like going from 0 to 70 in first gear! It accelerates very well and fits right into the traffic flow. When I accelerate hard from a stop, the wheels even screech -- how's that for an electric car? Considering how new the technology is, it drives amazingly conventionally, except for the unnerving quiet as it rolls to a stop.

Hybrid vehicles top this year's list of the government's fuel economy study, with my 4-door, 5-seater Prius coming in second only to Honda's 2-door, 2-seater Insight. It’s only one category removed from what's considered a "zero emissions" vehicle. Before being introduced in the US, there were more than 30,000 of the hybrids already on the road in Japan, where they’d had a 3-year success record. Toyota built 12,000 for the first US model year. They’re priced to be sold significantly below manufacturer's cost in order to jump-start the hybrid market.

It drives like a dream - nice and quiet. In fact, it’s still a little unnerving to be sitting in traffic waiting to make a left turn, relying on a car that’s TOTALLY quiet, to have it suddenly come back to life when I step on the accelerator! I don't visit gas stations very often any more... I got about 50 miles per gallon on my first full tank, and have been averaging in the mid-40s since winter set in.

The energy monitor touch-screen is really cool - a color display in the center of the console that lets you know which engine (electric or gas or both) is engaged for the current driving conditions. It also shows you the outside temperature, miles per gallon for the current tank and for the current trip, and it even doubles as a control screen for the radio and optional CD player. Radio pushbuttons automatically display the station's nickname and frequency, for quick and easy selection. It's fun to watch the miles-per-gallon bar graph display and try to squeeze more MPGs out of it as I go. It’s a kind of biofeedback game, where I learn the driving habits that can increase mileage.

Surprisingly, it’s the most comfortable car I’ve owned – great lower back support, so I don’t get tired and restless like I have in other cars I’ve driven. It’s amazingly roomy too, for a compact car. Toyota somehow manages to make it appear bigger on the inside than it looks like it will be from the outside. When I stretch my arms out in front of me, I can’t reach the windshield. I’ve had two passengers in the back seat comfortably, and three not so comfortably (there are seat belts for three). With the front seats all the way back, I still have clearance for my own knees in the back seat with no problem, and I’m 6’0”.

Of course, it’s always a good discussion starter too. Basically, the Prius is the first practical alternative to the combustion-engine-only choices we've had for too long, and finally gives the consumer a sorely needed and environmentally friendly choice!
Amount Paid (US$): 19995
Condition: New
Model Year: 2001
Model and Options: Base model, single CD player