Toyota Prius 2009 review

Has the car that became a byword for ‘hybrid’ moved the game on enough? On the evidence of this first drive, the answer has to be yes! Toyota’s new Prius has some incredible, headline-grabbing fuel economy and CO2 figures, but beyond that, it’s just much better to drive – and far closer to a normal car. It’s also more attractive, and packed full of technology usually found on a flagship Lexus. The trouble is, it’s expensive – and we suspect buyers will find a regular diesel hatch more efficient out of town.

It's the eco pioneer that helped kick off the hybrid movement 10 years ago – and now, the latest version of Toyota’s Prius is here!

Engineers have left no stone unturned to make this third-generation model faster, more economical and cleaner – plus they’ve improved cabin quality and provided a more car-like driving experience. So, does the Prius live up to the hype? Auto Express drove it to find out.

The newcomer is pretty much the same size as before. Its styling is a neat evolution of the trademark wedge shape, and is better aerodynamically, with a drag coefficient of only 0.25. A larger 98bhp 1.8-litre petrol engine replaces the outgoing 76bhp 1.5-litre, too. As before, this works with nickel-hydride batteries and an electric motor, and total power now comes to 134bhp – about the same as a regular 2.0-litre petrol-engined car.

In addition, Toyota has fitted a new gearbox to reduce friction and allow the petrol unit to run at higher revs and deliver more power.

The result of all these changes is claimed economy of 72.4mpg – up from 65.7mpg in the previous Prius – and a class-leading CO2 emissions figure of only 89g/km.

On the road, drivers get a choice of three modes. Press the throttle and you can silently creep away from a standstill in the ‘EV’ setting, before the engine cuts in at speeds of above 25mph. ‘Eco’ mode is used for everyday driving, while ‘Power’ improves overtaking response.

Even though the new Prius is over 40kg heavier than its predecessor, it’s faster, with 0-62mph in just over 10 seconds. Plus, Toyota’s economy claims don’t seem unrealistic, as we averaged 62mpg during our short time behind the wheel.

On the move, you forget you’re driving a hybrid. The new car is much more stable in a straight line, while the steering has better feedback.

Reach and rake adjustment also makes it simple to find a perfect driving position before you set off. The chunky central tunnel is similar to that in the new Lexus RX450h, but while it looks great and is made of quality plastics, it limits knee and leg space.

More successful is the head-up display, which projects information into the driver’s eye line. A new Pre-Crash safety system warns of an impending collision, too.

While prices have yet to be released, the Prius is likely to range from £18,500 to around £22,000. For a family car, that’s a lot – but there are enough major advances to justify it.

Rival: Honda Insight
Starting at £15,500, the Insight undercuts the Prius by about £3,000. But while it’s good to drive and eco-friendly, it can’t match the Toyota’s claimed economy and emissions figures.