I spent the past week behind the wheel of a mythical car. No, you couldn’t find The Spirit of Ecstasy or Cavallino Rampante on the hood. The car I drove was neither extremely luxurious nor extremely powerful. Decorating the front fascia was a bluish oval with two intersecting ellipses to represent a relationship of mutual trust between the customer and the product. That’s right: I’m talking about the modern Toyota logo on the new-generation 2010 Prius.
Perhaps the complete opposite of Rolls-Royces and Ferraris, this humble people hauler still earned me lots of thumbs up. It also sparked conversations with total strangers who wanted to learn more about the virtues of hybrids — folks who would love to be driving one in the not-so-distant future.
Hybrid vs. turbodiesel
If it weren’t for its gas/electric powertrain and sophisticated new safety and comfort features, the 2010 Toyota Prius might be viewed as just another competitor of the plebian Volkswagen Golf TDI. After all, both are high-volume hatchbacks designed to run with as little fuel as possible.
Of course, you don’t buy a Prius for the same reasons you would buy a Golf TDI. The former attracts environmentally-conscious consumers and drivers who want to make a fashion statement. They don’t want a Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid because, let’s face it, these cars look exactly the same as their conventionally-powered variants.
The five-door Prius is a standalone model with unique lines and sleeker styling than its predecessor. And in order to broaden its appeal, Toyota came up with three different packages (Touring, Premium and Technology). Whether you wish for exterior add-ons, interior gadgets or high-end amenities, the choice is yours.
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| The 2010 Toyota Prius marks the third generation of the world-famous hybrid. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |
Perhaps the complete opposite of Rolls-Royces and Ferraris, this humble people hauler still earned me lots of thumbs up. It also sparked conversations with total strangers who wanted to learn more about the virtues of hybrids — folks who would love to be driving one in the not-so-distant future.
Hybrid vs. turbodiesel
If it weren’t for its gas/electric powertrain and sophisticated new safety and comfort features, the 2010 Toyota Prius might be viewed as just another competitor of the plebian Volkswagen Golf TDI. After all, both are high-volume hatchbacks designed to run with as little fuel as possible.
Of course, you don’t buy a Prius for the same reasons you would buy a Golf TDI. The former attracts environmentally-conscious consumers and drivers who want to make a fashion statement. They don’t want a Camry Hybrid or Ford Fusion Hybrid because, let’s face it, these cars look exactly the same as their conventionally-powered variants.
The five-door Prius is a standalone model with unique lines and sleeker styling than its predecessor. And in order to broaden its appeal, Toyota came up with three different packages (Touring, Premium and Technology). Whether you wish for exterior add-ons, interior gadgets or high-end amenities, the choice is yours.
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| The new Prius sports a sleek, ultra-aerodynamic silhouette. (Photo: Luc Gagné/Auto123.com) |