Toyota has put its effort into the Hybrid technologies and the Japanese giant has the petrol-electric hybrid Prius its main green machine.
The top-spec i-Tech is available here - and the top-spec version of the hybrid weighs an extra 50kg, accounted for by extra gear.
The i-Tech gets the leather interior, a sunroof, the radar cruise control, an auto-dimming rear vision mirror and the touch-screen that controls the satellite navigation, displays the image from the rear view camera and dictates terms to the JBL sound system.
The Prius is lightweight construction and the plastics come from plant based materials.
To save even more weight there is no spare wheel, but instead there is a re-inflation compressor system with a leak-sealing fluid.
With the aforementioned features, as well as climate control, there's no shortage of gear on offer for the occupants. It's comfortable without being plush, with room for four adults so parents and a couple of kids won't have too many issues.
The main climate control system can be remotely-activated to fire up the A/C before you get in the car.
A bonus is the solar panel ventilation system. The panel sits in the rear section of the roof and runs a secondary ventilation system to reduce temperature build-up when parked.
Driving
The first-time hybrid driver may well wait quite a while after pushing the start button before taking off as it is so quiet. The centre display has all manner of powertrain graphics but it's the small "READY" light you'll need to watch for.
The newest incarnation of the Prius seems more eager, with plenty of punch from the petrol electric drivetrain. The new Prius also seems more intent and content using the electric-only side around town, resorting less to the petrol engine than its forebears.
There's no tacho, only the speed (also on the heads-up display on the windscreen ) and the transmission lever, which also has the B function to provide more engine braking for better energy regeneration.
Drivers looking for maximum grunt will welcome the Power button, which more readily provides full output. Normal mode offers a good all-round drive pattern, with smoother transitions between the petrol and electric side of the drivetrain.
Toyota claims an ADR combined (and urban) figure of 3.9 litres per 100km - dropping to 3.7 on the open road.
The Specs:
Engine: Petrol - 1.8-litre DOHC 16-valve Atkinson cycle four-cylinder. Electric - series/parallel 100kW full hybrid, AC synchronous 650-volt permanent magnet motor, 201-volt nickel metal hydride battery.
( ONE, THREE & FIVE YEAR WARRANTY, ROADSIDE ASSIST & FINANCE ALSO AVAILABLE TO APPROVED CUSTOMERS)
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