2004 Toyota Prius Review

Specifications

One Fantastic Car

I long awaited these words from my editor, “Alexandra, you are picking up the 2004 Toyota Prius this week,” and then finally they came. Why so thrilled? Come on! Try to find a more interesting vehicle anywhere?

First, I longed to check out if it was as fuel efficient as the specifications claimed it to be. Second, I wanted to see how a full-hybrid system compared to an internal combustion engine (power wise and when it comes to handling).

Since the Prius debut in North America in 2000, the worlds first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid vehicle has earned the title of best-selling hybrid automobile in the world and numerous other awards. The completely revised 2004 Prius is even better than the previous version, including upgraded size, functionality, technology, features and powertrain.

When I went down to pick up my test Prius (incidentally the name is Latin for “to go before”) I was a little intimidated. Once inside it felt like I was in a car from another planet. I was Judy Jetson going for a ride in my space-mobile. It took me a couple of days to get used to the cars unique qualities.

After all, the Prius is quite different from any other mid-size vehicle that Ive tested, but all such confusion disappeared when I was given a Prius 101 lesson from Toyotas helpful representative. It took only a few minutes for me to get familiar with all the “alien” buttons and gizmos, but after that it was smooth and silent cruising. All I could say after that was, “This thing is so cool!”

Seeing the first generation Prius and the new one on the road together is an eye opener, being that the physical difference between the two is like night and day. The 2004 model year Prius has evolved in every respect. It now has a wheelbase nearly 150 mm longer than the previous car, which gives it greater interior room and a smoother ride. The exterior styling has also changed from a 4-door sedan configuration to a 5-door hatchback, making it one of the most aerodynamic production vehicles in the world. The super-low 0.26 coefficient of drag (Cd) helps minimize interior noise and enhance fuel economy as well. While Im not a scientist (I gave that up for a journalism career), and I am hardly fluent in scientific terminology, its not difficult to appreciate just how quiet the car is.

Toyota didnt stop at just lengthening the wheelbase for upgraded comfort and ride quality. No, the Japanese automaker built the new model with a “monoform” design providing increased passenger and cargo space to move what was a compact car up to the mid-size class: 96.2 cubic feet in comparison to 89.0 cubic feet and 101.7 cubic feet in the Toyota Camry. Trunk space also increased to 16.1 cubic feet, nearly as much as the Camry trunk and over 3 cubic feet more that its predecessor.

Despite the Prius augmented dimensions, its the upgraded engine that drives home with the prize. The new Prius is the first car to utilize Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD); Toyotas third-generation gas/electric hybrid powertrain technology. The advanced system produces more power from both the gasoline engine and electric motor, giving the 2004 Prius acceleration (0-60 mph in about 10 seconds) comparable to a mid-size car and quite a bit quicker than the previous model (0-60 mph in 12.5 seconds). Furthermore, the 1.5-liter, electronically fuel injected, 16-valve, DOHC, Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine is more powerful, upping output to 76 hp from 70. Torque is up only by 3 lb-ft, from 82 to 85. Like all other Toyota passenger cars, the internal combustion engine is equipped with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i), optimizing power delivery across the rev range.

The new electric motor, however, is quite a bit more powerful than the outgoing version. The old one could only manage 44-hp, while the new motor is up 23 horsepower to 67. The new electrics torque is even more robust, making 295 lb-ft from 0 to 1,200 rpm compared to the old motors 258 lb-ft from 0 to 400 rpm - and diesel owners think they have a torque advantage. An approximate combined electric/gasoline horsepower rating is 106, compared to 98 in the old car.

I quote Toyota for the most accurate description of the new powertrain. “Like the original Toyota Hybrid System (THS) employed in the previous Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) is defined as a “full hybrid system.” Unlike competitive systems currently on the market, the full hybrid system is capable of operating in gas or electric modes, or with gas and electric power together.”

“Compared to the hybrid technology used in the previous model, the new Hybrid Synergy Drive provides longer periods of electric-mode-only driving, as well as significantly higher peak electrical power. HSD uses a 50-percent more powerful 50-kilowatt drive motor operating at up to 500 volts… The continuously variable transmission does not have fixed gear ratios, but instead provides infinitely variable ratios in response to driving conditions.”

There is also a regenerative braking system on the Prius that further boosts system efficiency. “When the Prius is coasting or the brakes are applied, the electric motor functions as a generator, capturing kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through brakes, by transforming it into usable electricity to recharge the batteries.”

What a fabulous system. At first, when I wasnt used to the Prius operating system, it was a little startling when the engine would turn off at a stoplight or in traffic. But while strange, it was also comforting knowing that there were less emissions being released into the atmosphere.

Speaking of emissions, the Prius is certified as a Super-Ultra-Low-Emissions-Vehicle (SULEV). Whats next, a Super-Duper-Ultra-Low-Emissions-Vehicle? Just kidding, or am I? At the rate Toyota is developing the Prius, it might even get close to zero emissions soon. The upgraded system now reduces emissions by an additional 30-percent, and the HSD produces nearly 90-percent fewer smog-forming emissions than a conventional internal combustion engine vehicle. The next best thing is a set of roller blades!

Just when I thought things couldnt get any better, they did. Not only has Toyota upgraded everything about the old model in the new 2004, it also comes with a variety of option packages that add such items as Vehicle Stability Control, premium 9-speaker JBL audio system, front-seat-mounted and side-curtain airbags, anti-theft system, fog lamps, garage door opener and the Smart Key system, an option that allows hands-free keyless vehicle entry and startup.

Smart Key is identical to the system used in the Lexus LS 430. When I reached for the door handle, an on-board sensor recognized the signal from the key, whether in my pocket or purse, and automatically unlocked the doors. I didnt have to put the key in the ignition either, because its presence was sensed and the touch of a button started it right up. It was fun for impressing my friends. I would say, “Look guys, no hands. Isnt that neat?” They would agree and shake their heads at my enthusiasm.

While the technical stuff is interesting, the fun part is definitely driving it. This is a fantastic car. It was so smooth that I barely noticed the transition from gas to electric (other than the little noise the gas engine produced) because of the new “throttle-by-wire” system, or Electronic Throttle Control System (ECTS-i) technology in Toyota-speak. The computer-controlled powertrain made for seamless transitions between the two engines.

The only gear-change that was noticeable was when I engaged the new “by-wire” shift control dashboard-mounted joystick into reverse. The car made a beeping noise to indicate that it was in reverse. It wasnt an unpleasant sound and was useful. Since the powertrain is so quiet, without the beep, beep, beeping reverse notification it might be possible to forget I was in reverse and back into someone by mistake.

Handling is also superb. The weight of the engines and battery pack gives the car a low center of gravity, making the car very stable and capable of executing tight turns at higher speeds. Not once did I lose traction from the P185/65R15 all season tires when pushing the Prius on the sinuous Sea-To-Sky highway near my home. The steering system reacted to input well too, making the driving experience feel less like a practical fuel miser and more like a well-refined sport sedan. I was a little disappointed that the Prius didnt have rear disc brakes, nevertheless, the front ventilated discs and rear drums with ABS and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) made for efficient stopping in wet or dry weather.

Speaking of the Sea-To-Sky Highway, I was curious to see how the 106 horsepower Prius would compare to more powerful conventional vehicles when in the passing lane. The Prius preformed marvelously. For a 106 horsepower car, this thing can go. Even when ascending up a hill, the Prius could pass. This has much to do with the cars commendable torque.

Adding to the well-refined drivetrain is a list of impressive standard features including, automatic air conditioning, steering wheel-mounted controls, cruise control, heated side mirrors, power windows and locks, spoiler, digital clock, front and rear cupholders, driver and passenger airbags, advanced traction control system (TRAC), stainless steel exhaust, and tilt steering.

My test Prius came with the new optional equipment as outlined above in
“Package B”. I enjoyed listening to my CDs on the premium JBL system, as the sound quality was great at most volumes. As I mentioned earlier, I got a kick out of the Smart Key system. How could it not be cool?

It was also notable that the Prius had a standard 7-inch dashboard-mounted touch-panel display monitor that monitored the gas/electric power distribution through the HSD and also controlled the climate, audio and other functions the Prius offered. It was great to have such an organized setup, but because it was touch-screen it forced me to take my eyes off the road longer than I normally would, especially when it came to adjusting the climate control. Fortunately Toyotas product planners foresaw this problems, and made sure one of the steering wheel-mounted controls was designated for temperature, so I didnt have to keep pressing the screen to modulate the cabin temperature.

Also, the digital speedometer was located in a funky position to match the funkiness of the Prius. It was directly ahead of me, along the edge of the front window. To some, it might appear tacky but to me, I thought it matched the unique styling of the hybrids cabin.

The front window is more angled than any other car Ive driven. This all relates back to the “monoform” design making it more aerodynamic, but for taller people like my 64″ boyfriend, it made visibility a little less than optimal. But for me, an average height female, it was great. Visibility around its C-pillar blind spots was good but the best part was seeing out the rear. There is an extra glass panel, separate from the rear window, on the Prius liftgate which adds a few more inches of visibility when backing up and parallel parking. What a terrific idea. Its not completely new mind you, with Honda doing something similar on the Insight hybrid, which itself is similar to that on the second-generation Honda CRX sports coupe. If the extra panel was not there it would have been very hard to see anything behind me because of the angle of the rear window. But that extra bit of glass made all the difference.

At the end of my test week I experienced for myself the amazing fuel consumption of the Prius. Its no lie when I say I only put about $23.00 (CDN) of gas in the tank for the entire week, and I drove almost 400 miles both in the city and the highway. Fuel consumption has decreased to a mere 59 mpg in the city and 56 on the highway. The reversed figures reflect how proficient the HSD powertrain is and that the Prius is optimized for maximum efficiency in stop-and-go traffic. As odd as it sounds, I enjoyed sitting in in the Prius in traffic more than on the highway, as it meant I was saving more money and more trees.

Ive said it before and Ill say it again, the 2004 Toyota Prius is fantastic.

2004 PRIUS SPECIFICATION COMPARISON WITH CURRENT GENERATION (C/G) PRIUS

• Price Range (2004 MSRP): $20,295 - $25,540

Note: Additional larger photos are available in the photo album.