The super-frugal Prius, with its Hybrid Synergy Drive, has sophisticated electric-drive componentry and a battery system that allows energy to be recovered from coasting and braking. In the Prius, a 76-horsepower, 1.5L four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine is paired with a 50-kilowatt electric drive motor. Together, the two produce 110 horsepower, delivered through a planetary-gear continuously variable transmission (CVT). As opposed to some other "mild hybrid" models, the Prius is a "full hybrid," meaning that the system not only turns the gasoline engine off when it's not needed; it also has the capability to run at low speeds on electric power alone for short distances.

The system enables the Prius to get one of the best fuel-efficiency ratings ever-48 city, 45 highway, according to the EPA. Prius is also certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV), and may qualify for tax incentives, parking, or carpool lane privileges depending on the locality.

Inside, the Prius is considerably roomier than you might expect given its compact exterior dimensions and aerodynamic five-door liftback shape, but with 96.2 cubic feet of passenger room it's classified as a mid-size car. The Prius has room for five, with a roomy back seat and 14.4 cubic feet of cargo space. Rear seatbacks can be folded forward for expanded cargo capacity. The instrument panel is especially attention-getting, with a display screen that monitors the hybrid system and a small fingertip shift lever replacing a conventional shift knob.

The Prius is better equipped than many other frugal sedans. Automatic climate control, a six-speaker CD sound system, power side mirrors, and power windows and locks are standard.

Major options include leather seating, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps, a Smart Key entry/ignition system, a voice-activated navigation system, an upgraded JBL audio system that includes nine speakers, a CD changer, a Bluetooth hands-free phone interface, an input jack, and MP3 capability.

The Touring Edition brings a sportier appearance and feel to the Prius. The model includes a "European-tuned" suspension, 16-inch alloy wheels, HID headlamps, and integrated fog lamps.

Anti-lock brakes with brake assist are standard, as are front seat-mounted side air bags, along with side-curtain bags for all outboard occupants. Vehicle stability control (VSC), which can help retain control on slippery roads or in quick emergency maneuvers, is available as an option.

Model Strengths

Astounding fuel efficiency and low emissions; interior space; maneuverability.

Model Changes

A new Base trim becomes the entry level Toyota Prius for 2008. It doesn't have the standard cruise control and heated mirrors of the other Prius models in order to lower the cost of entry versus 2007. The Standard model now comes with a tonneau cover for 2008.

Model Value

For space and fuel efficiency, the 2008 Toyota Prius can't be beat. The compact Prius has a design that emphasizes interior space and thus it qualifies as a mid-size car, and Toyota boasts that it ranks as the most fuel-efficient mid-size car in America. The Touring Edition gives the Prius a sportier edge, and with front side and side-curtain air bags standard across the line, Prius is an even better value.

The Toyota Prius is a hybrid electric midsize car developed and manufactured by the Toyota Motor Corporation. The Prius first went on sale in Japan in 1997, making it the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. It was subsequently introduced worldwide in 2001. In May 2008, worldwide cumulative sales of the Toyota Prius passed the 1 million mark. The Prius hybrid is now sold in more than 40 countries and regions, but the market leaders remain Japan and North America. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the 2008 Prius is the most fuel efficient car sold in the U.S. According to the UK Department for Transport, the Prius is tied with the diesel MINI Cooper D as the second least CO2-emitting vehicle behind the Volkswagen Polo 1.4 TDI. The Prius has won several awards from magazines, engineering groups, and consumer groups. In 1994, Toyota executive Takeshi Uchiyamada was given the task of creating a new car which would be both fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. The engineering team quickly settled on a hybrid engine design, but many technical and engineering problems had to be solved within the three years that the team was given to bring the car to the Japanese market, a goal they barely achieved as the first Prius went on sale in December 1997. A main problem was the longevity of the battery, which needed to be between 7 to 10 years. The solution the engineers came up with was to keep the battery pack between 60% and 40% charged, proving to be the "sweet spot" for extending the battery life to roughly that of the other car components. Sales in Europe began at the start of 2001, by which time the car was more than three years old. The car was a modest success in Japan and after gathering several years of test data from the Japanese early adopters, the company felt it was safe to put it on sale in the U.S. market. Sales were small at first but picked up substantially with a complete redesign in 2004. The Prius is considere