The Quest for 60 mpg

When one says hybrid, what comes to mind? Honda Insight? No. Nissan Altima? No. Maybe Toyota Camry? Close, but not that's not it. The answer is the trusty Toyota Prius, the go-to car if a car buyer wants to save gas in comfort. Its (relatively) stylish, modern, ergonomic, quiet, comfortable, roomy, and of course, king of gas efficiency.

The Prius started its humble beginning in Tokyo, year 1997. North America soon saw its first Prius in 2001. It sported a 1.5 liter engine making 70 hp @ 4400 rpm and 82 lb-ft @ 4200 rpm. The electric motor paired with the 1.5 made another 44 horsepower. This generation of Prius is not as well known as its later generations, more commonly found in sedan form as opposed to its later iterations' iconic hatchback form. This generation Prius is a bit skimpy in terms of options compared to its other competitors, but this is no reason for car buyers to overlook the very reliable first-generation Prius.

The much more recognizable Prius was born in 2004, a 5 seater 4-door hatchback. It ran on a 1.5 liter combined with an electric motor. This combination put out a total of 110 horsepower. This engine is capable of reaching incredible speeds (albeit at a slower pace). Anecdotal evidence suggests this Prius is capable of reaching 140mph, not bad for a low power eat-your-veggies engine, especially when its lugging a 4000 lbs body.

Complaints were few, most of which were of the interface system. Much of the cars features were controlled mainly by the touchscreen interface, which could wash out in sunlight. Some important features could be controlled by the steering wheel mounted buttons, but again, most control resided in the touchscreen. Other faults were odd gear selector action, and lack of a telescopic wheel or height adjustment, making it awkward for taller persons.Other than that, this iteration was a solid car, smooth riding with a healthy amount of options.

The current edition Prius debuted in 2010. It was completely rebuilt from ground up, modernizing its looks while still remaining the top of the hybrid game. Under the hood is a 1.8 liter hybrid engine, paired with twin electric motors. This engine is good for a net horsepower of 134 horsepower. Power is delivered to the front wheels via special planetary gear set, which acts as continuously variable transmission. New energy saving technologies bring EPA combined fuel economy estimate of 50 mpg.

All in all, the Prius is the King of the hill when it comes to hybrids. It's combination of amazing fuel economy and versatility has made this car into a cornerstone of the automotive world. Stellar options and trim packages don't hurt either. The Honda Insight is still worth a look, but unless you are budget constrained, the Toyota Prius is the way to go.