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Our Score:
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Styling & Design
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Score:
4/10
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Better than the clunky old model but still something of an oddity, looks-wise. It’s self-consciously aerodynamic, on dreary wheels with nondescript detailing. Does eco-awareness have to be this serious?
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Engine Spec
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Score:
7/10
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Only one engine, a combined petrol/electric 1.5-litre unit that produces a peak of 110bhp (combined) and an indeterminable amount of torque - somewhere around the 180-200Nm mark, depending on how the electric and petrol power is combined. It’s a willing unit, but does get thrashy.
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Performance
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Score:
7/10
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Given that this is the Eco model, that it gets to 100km/h at all is to be applauded. In fact, it only takes 10.9 seconds to get there and can run 170km/h all out, which isn’t too bad.
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Ride & Handling
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Score:
5/10
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The Prius is very much comfort-orientated and it rolls on skinny, ecologically-sound tyres, so it was never going to be a sporty drive. That said, it is safe, predictable and effortless to drive.
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Interior & Ergonomics
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Score:
3/10
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The Prius’s hi-tech dash is convoluted in operation, with a big screen right in your line of sight, annoyingly. There’s a multitude of steering wheel controls to make it all easier to use, but ergonomically it’s a bit of a futuristic mess.
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Space & Practicality
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Score:
8/10
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Hybrid-ness aside, the Prius is simply a five-door hatchback, with technology living where the spare wheel normally goes. It’s as practical and spacious as you could want from a car this size, with plenty of places for odds and ends dotted about the cabin.
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Safety
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Score:
9/10
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Twin airbags and tyre-pressure monitors are standard, along with ESP, side airbags, curtain airbags, traction control and ISOFIX child seat mounts. Apart from rear side airbags, it’s pretty much loaded.
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Value & Running Costs
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Score:
5/10
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If you factor in the half-price VRT reduction, the Prius wieghs in at around €30K, which isn’t that bad when you consider just how well specified it is. Resale should be easy and painless but don’t be expecting 4.3l/100km economy. It’s more like 6l/100km in the real world.
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Quality & Refinement
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Score:
7/10 |
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As a cruiser, the Prius is kind of noisy because of the minimalist sound-deadening and CVT transmission, which makes the thrashy engine moan on hills. The ride quality isn’t bad, though, and build quality is easily the best of the current Toyotas.
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Equipment
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Score:
7/10
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The Prius comes with alloys, trip computer, electric windows and mirros, remote locking and touch-screen climate control, but cruise control is only available as part of a luxury pack that also includes foglamps and a CD changer. Leather? Please.
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Bad
Naff image
not that economical
ugly.
Good
Ecologically sound
cheap to run
specification.
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