2014 Toyota Prius

Prius Options

The 2013 Toyota Prius comes in four trim levels: Two, Three, Four and Five. Two is the base model and it features 15-in alloy wheels with plastic covers, variable intermittent wipers, push-button start with driver keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control and a touchscreen audio system that provides control over some vehicle settings, along with iPod/USB and Bluetooth connectivity.

To see how the Prius holds up in the real world, we decide to take it out for a day of mountain biking.

Like most hybrids, the Prius uses a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The front-wheel-drive Prius is powered by the dynamic duo of a 1.8-liter gasoline inline-4 and an electric motor backed by a battery pack. Acceleration isn't brisk, but we don't think that's why people buy a Prius. Also, you can feel the car switching back and forth between gas and electricity; almost all hybrids do this, but with the current 2013 Prius, it's less intrusive than with other hybrids.

Technophile

We do like the tech inside the Prius. The diagram of the car that shows where power is flowing is really cool. We also like the on screen graphics that pop up when you hover over certain steering wheel mounted buttons. Also, the new Entune system, standard on the Prius Three on up, which uses your smartphone's data connection to send mobile apps straight to the Prius model's touchscreen interface. The system includes useful apps like Pandora Internet radio and OpenTable dining services.

To some, the shape of the Prius isn’t the most attractive car around, but it's that shape that helps it get 50 mpg. Also, we tested the Sport version of the Prius and it's actually a very sharp looking car. The Prius also has a roomy interior, especially the back seat.

You could get better fuel economy than the Prius, but you might have to go to extremes. For example, Mike Turner has a modified 1992 Honda Civic that he says gets 80 mpg in the summer. Of course it lacks basic creature comforts and is odd looking at best.

Ultimately, the Toyota Prius is a state of the art hybrid that asks for few compromises compared to a more traditional car. If you really want the most miles per gallon, the 2013 Toyota Prius has to be on your shopping list.

 

Another year, another runaway sales victory for the 2014 Toyota Prius. The familiar, teardrop-shaped Toyota remains at the top of hybrid sales charts, even after more than a decade on the market -- and after several years in its current form. 

So what's the Prius model's secret? Well, it never hurts to have a combined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy rating of 50 miles per gallon, which ties the Prius for number-one with its smaller sibling, the Prius c. Notably, the regular Prius actually outdoes the c in urban driving (48 mpg to 46 mpg) thanks to a more powerful hybrid system that doesn't work as hard at low speeds. 

But what really sets the Prius apart is its well-rounded nature. Effectively a midsize car on the inside, the Prius can accommodate four adults and their luggage with ease, and it can also haul large items home from the hardware store with the rear seat backs folded down. Nonetheless, it's still compact enough on the outside to squeeze into tight spots. So even before you account for its excellent fuel economy, the Prius is an unusually useful vehicle. 

What's more, it's affordable, starting under $25,000 with a healthy roster of standard comfort and tech features. Small wonder, then, that the face of Toyota's hybrid franchise continues to be the hottest ticket in town. 

 

What's New for 2014? 

The Prius is unchanged for the 2014 model year. 

What We Like 

Phenomenal fuel economy; handy hatchback design; adult-sized back seat; impressive standard equipment

What We Don't 

Weak acceleration; bland driving experience; starting to feel outdated 

How Much? 

$25,000-$30,800 

Fuel Economy 

The front-wheel-drive Prius is powered by the dynamic duo of a 1.8-liter gasoline inline 4-cylinder and an electric motor backed by a battery pack. Well, maybe dynamic isn't the right word. Total system output is just 134 horsepower, so the Prius predictably struggles when swift acceleration is called for. However, fuel economy is outstanding: EPA rates the Prius at 51 mpg city/48 mpg hwy. 

Standard Features & Options 

The 2014 Toyota Prius comes in four trim levels: Two, Three, Four and Five. Predictably, they go in order from least expensive to most expensive, with the Five feeling positively upscale. 

The base-level Prius Two ($25,000) features 15-inch alloy wheels with plastic covers, variable intermittent wipers, push-button start with driver keyless entry, cruise control, automatic climate control and a touchscreen audio system that provides control over some vehicle settings, along with iPod/USB and Bluetooth connectivity. 

The Prius Three ($26,500) adds a voice-activated navigation system and the Entune smartphone-based mobile app interface (unavailable on Two), as well as an optional sunroof with unique solar panels that power a ventilation system that keeps the car cool when parked. New for 2013 is the Three-based Persona Series Special Edition, which adds 17-in alloy wheels, charcoal upholstery with red stitching, dark chrome interior trim and exclusive exterior badging. 

The Prius Four ($29,200) has JBL premium sound, SofTex stain-resistant upholstery with heated front seats and driver power adjustments. 

Finally, the Five ($30,800) goes all-out with a hard-drive-based navigation system, a larger touchscreen display and a head-up display on the windshield for vehicle speed and such -- all of which are included on the Four with the solar sunroof, by the way -- along with exclusive 17-in alloy wheels and optional adaptive cruise control. 

Safety 

The Prius comes with standard stability control, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, active front head restraints and seven airbags, including a driver knee airbag. 

In government crash tests, the Prius received an overall rating of five stars out of five, including a 4-star rating for frontal impacts and a 5-star mark for side impacts. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it the top Good rating in all categories. 

Behind the Wheel 

The Prius rides smoothly and fairly quietly -- a good recipe for a relaxing commute. If you're accustomed to a normal car, however, you may be struck by a sense of detachment from the road. For better or worse, the Prius drives more like a sci-fi transportation pod, from its numb steering to its odd brakes (which feel that way in part because they're responsible for converting -- "regenerating" -- the car's kinetic energy into battery power). But there's something unusually peaceful about the whole experience, too. We can see the appeal. 

The Prius model's front seats are rather forgettable with regard to both comfort and support. But we love the way the dashboard curves toward the driver, giving the cockpit a spaceship-like feel. The gauges, too, look ready for outer space, as they comprise a variety of digital readouts and diagrams that describe the hybrid powertrain. Cabin materials aren't luxury-grade -- you'll need the Prius model's upscale cousin, the Lexus CT 200h, for that -- but they don't seem cheap, either. 

Although the back seat has lost a little headroom relative to the previous Prius, which had a less rakish roofline, there's still ample room for full-sized adults. And while cargo space isn't that impressive on paper, measuring 21.6 cu ft in the trunk and 39.6 cu ft with the 60/40 split rear seat backs folded, the Prius model's boxlike shape means you can haul a lot of stuff if you need to. This versatility is especially laudable given that the engineers had to find room for the Prius model's sizable battery pack, which hides seamlessly beneath the floor. 

Other Cars to Consider 

Honda Insight -- Honda's Prius-fighting Insight hatchback hasn't been as popular as the company hoped. But it still delivers strong fuel economy, and it's much cheaper than the Prius. 

Honda Civic Hybrid -- The Civic is a sedan rather than a 5-door hatchback, meaning it's less practical than the Prius. It's not as efficient, either. But it's one of the few other affordable hybrids on the market, and you may find it drives more conventionally. 

Toyota Prius c and Prius v -- If you're not sold on the "traditional" Prius, Toyota now offers two other sizes: small (Prius c) and large (Prius v). Check them out while you're at it. 

Read more at:

http://www.autotrader.com/car-news/toyota-prius.xhtml