The local Toyota dealership offered us a couple of days ago the opportunity to go on a test drive with a car that we admire very much, the Toyota Prius. Leaving aside the fact that this car represents the beginning of a new era, that it is the first of its kind, the first mass produced hybrid car, it has to be said that the Prius can be the solution to a lot of our problems.

As you might know, the roads nowadays are becoming more and more crowded, and that wouldn’t be a problem if it weren’t for the main side effect: pollution. I know that a world of Prius-driving people won’t solve this but think about it, this is a step towards a general solution, and a big step I might add.

Now, the car we drove was in pristine condition and for that we must thank the guys over at the dealership. I had seen this car in real life before but when you get inside it, then you realise that it’s truly amazing. Don’t worry, I didn’t find snake skin seats or a weird shaped steering wheel, but the feeling you get is somehow out of this world.

We like :

The cool computer that tells you how much you save the planet is a very welcomed reassurance but then again, you don’t need it. You already know that Earth is your friend when you’re in this car. It’s pointless to talk about the mileage or about what comes out from the exhaust, all you need to know that even when I was doing 110 kph the car would still drink 5 litres of gas for every 100 km. And that’s amazing! And another amazing thing is that in the city, where you rarely go over 50 kph, you don’t waste any gas because the electric engine drives you along. And that’s not all, the Prius being designed as a family car,with a lot of room inside and a big booth.

We don’t like :

That’s all nice but there are a few things that aren’t so OK. For starters the looks: I know that it has very aerodynamic profile but at least they couldn’t conceive an uglier car. And then the gear box. I would have liked a manual one instead of the automatic. The 1.5 litre engine likes sometimes to be pushed a little and the existing gear box just doesn’t give you that possibility. And then there’s the price. I don’t know about you but no way in hell I would pay 25.500 euros for this car!

All in all a great first step but not a complete car. It’s not a true planet saver but it’s not a real gas burning car. A great car to make a statement with but as for every day use, i suggest something like a Ford Focus or a WV Golf…they’re just cars, not saints of the roads.

More Photos can be found in our Gallery.

Editor : Cseke Alin

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