Toyota has long been a symbol of craftsmanship when it comes to building cars. Toyota continues to reign in the automotive marketplace as they unveiled their hybrid vehicles. Toyota's first hybrid, the Prius, is now in its third revision while other auto companies have yet to create their first. Because of its price and unbelievable fuel economy, the Prius became the most popular vehicle of our time. On top of that, Prius is among the best in terms of minimal tailpipe emissions. Hybrid automobiles use a combination of electric motor and internal combustion engine that's driven by gas. This design is what enables this hybrid to experience lower emissions than regular cars, along with a much higher fuel economy. The right Toyota wheels also increase milage as well as give the Prius a sporty look.

Toyota has long been about dependability and the Prius is a superb example of that. The hybrids, also those that appeared almost a decade ago, continue to be a good value as a pre-owned car. There were once fears for the hybrid car's sustainability but so far, it's been proven durable. One downside to a used Prius is the intricate nature of the car, may make future repairs quite expensive. Design-wise, the Prius has not changed significantly as it remains a four-door hatchback.

The Prius' powertrain is made up of a 1.8 liter gas powerplant that produces 98 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. There are two electric motors that work utilizing the gas engine, plus a continuously variable transmission. At maximum acceleration, the full power is generated from both the gas-powered engine and the two electric motors. When dealing with stop-and-go traffic, the Prius maximizes fuel economy by generally running on battery power alone. Braking normally loses energy, however the depleted heat is converted into electricity, which charges the battery pack.

The new car has better pick-up on the highway, but hasn't changed much from traffic lights. Toyota had been able to increase the fuel economy to practically 50 miles per gallon. The interior was altered to provide a more traditional center control set-up. The system display is now found adjacent to the digital speedometer and is higher up on the dash. The music system and climate controls now have normal buttons instead of a touchscreen. Tall individuals have an better time driving the Prius since it now features telescoping steering wheel and a more comprehensive adjustable seat. Regardless of its size, the Prius is very roomy and offers plenty of cargo space.

The present Prius has continued the fuel-efficiency and flexibility of the earlier cars, but has made some good changes. There's really no reason why a Prius would not be a choice since they drive like traditional cars. There are alternative hybrids which might be worth looking at, such as the less expensive, Honda Insight, but the Toyota Prius is still the standard.