Of the hybrids currently available, the Prius is my top choice. I don't really like it though. Let's see why.

First the good. The car gets great gas mileage as a hybrid should, but doesn't always. Sometimes the hybrid technology is used to increase engine power rather than mileage. You can expect about 50mpg.

Performance is exceptional. With all the off/on of the gas engine, I expected a choppy, underpowered ride. The car picks up well and moves like a charm. Handling is great.

The car is proven. It is the only car with a decent road history so you can be reasonably assured that what you're getting is quality and reliable. I neither hear or read about problems with the car, but then again, it's still only been on the road for 6 years.

Features can be exceptional with a rear camera so you don't run over anything behind you. The ignition system is state of the art, with a key that you don't even need to put into the car. Just be near it. You might think that makes it easy to steal but just as if you lost your key to any other car, the key will start it.

You can't here the car start because it "turns on" sort of like a toaster when you push the on button. It can take getting used to. I found the automatic transmission easy enough to use but since the shifter doesn't stay in the D position, you can easily forget which gear you're in and find yourself in reverse because you forgot to move the little shifter around. It's a minor nuisance and in time one gets used to it.

The LCD screen is handy for the rearview camera (optional) but what I liked best about it was the mileage indicator. It shows you the mileage you are currently getting and which system(s) (gas/electric/both) are running. It helps you learn how to drive the car for best fuel economy. For example, I didn't realize the abysmal fuel economy one gets by accelerating to much on the freeway and that even slight adjustments can double or triple fuel economy. (You can easily be getting 5 mpg on a hard accelerate... I never knew that.) Great learning tool!

The readings are easy to see and read as well.

You get a tax deduction of over $2K for buying a new one.

What I don't like is the cramped feel and the large center armrest that intrudes into your space. There are storage areas in there and there's enough, if not ample, storage space.

The rear seat is OK but small. However, this is a compact car and you should expect that. It's a hatchback so you have some pretty good space there.

I definitely do not like the blind spots. The angle of the back window is so low that your field of sight is limited in some positions. The windshield is also at a low angle and I didn't like that, I guess from a styling perspective.

I don't like the look of the car overall, either. That, of course, will be according to your personal preference. I felt like I was in a long, low bubble.

At the moment, the price is high. About $26K. For that amount of money, you can get a basic mid-sized car and maybe even a well-equipped mid-size, depending on make. For $10K less you can get another compact model from nearly any manufacturer, including Toyota. There is almost no bargaining room with the Prius because it is so popular. I felt that the premium I would pay for the car.

Given the driving I do, I spend, at $3/gallon, about $100/month on gas in my current car, at half the gas mileage. It would take me 200 months (over 16 years)to recoup $10,000 in gas savings if I halfed my gas consumption. So I feel that I can drive any other compact car and actually spend less over time.

In addition, over time, we still have a lot to learn about this car. When those batteries go, then what? Best I can tell, it's a good $5k to replace them. We haven't reached that crossroads yet.

Finally, the "green factor" of the car, while appealing on the surface, may not be what it appears over time. Sure, you'll burn less gas, and that's a good thing. But what about the final resting place of this car? The nickel and cadium in the batteries are biohazards in addition to the traditional hazards of disposing of a gas engine.

Time will tell.

For the moment, though, if you want a hybrid, this is the best I've driven so far. I am interested in trying the Camry and Altima hybrids and was not impressed with the Civic or Accord (to be discontinued), and didn't try the Ford because of gas mileage issues.
Condition: New
Model Year: 2007