2005 Toyota Prius Review

Specifications

The New Face of Celebrity

Step aside, Bentley. You too, Hummer. Theres a new celebrity car taking over. Mind you, a lowered suspension, 24-inch rims with spinners, tinted windows and hydraulics arent on the list of modifications that would suit this vehicle, but theres always a first for everything, right?

Stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Aniston and Tim Robbins (I love him) are just a few celebrities that can be spotted driving around Tinseltown in Toyotas Prius. Its not the flashiest bling-bling car out there, but with its immense popularity, it seems that you have to be on a dealers A list to get your hands on one.

More than ten thousand second-generation Prius sedans have been sold since November 2003, a number that is significantly more than the sales total for all three years of the first generation. In response to lack of supply and great demand for the worlds first mass-produced gasoline/electric hybrid, Toyota Motor Corporation has announced that it will increase production of the Prius by 50 percent. I guess I can stop taking those acting classes now!

For the 2005 model year, the Prius has had a few tweaks here and there. While the exterior shows no differences from the 2004 model, there are modifications on the inside. A new option package is available that includes a voice-activated DVD-based navigation system with customizable displays and database. The navigation system also offers advanced Bluetooth connectivity options, making it compatible with Bluetooth-equipped cell phones, and enabling such features as hands-free operation and one-touch dialing.

The latest generation of Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD), Toyotas gas/electric hybrid powertrain technology, has reached a new height of excellence. It just keeps getting better and better. For instance, the combination of the gasoline engine and electric motor produces enough power to give the Prius a 0 to 60 mph time of about 10 seconds. Fuel economy is extremely good, with ratings of 71 mpg in the city and 67 mpg on the highway.

The Prius decent acceleration and exceptional fuel ratings are only a couple of examples of the Hybrid Synergy Drives innovative technological advances. Since the last generation, HSD is even more efficient with regards to emissions, reducing them by an additional 30 percent.

The regenerative braking system also enhances the emissions rating by taking the kinetic energy that would normally be lost as heat through the brakes, and transforming it to useable electricity to recharge the battery.

Powering the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle (SULEV) is, as mentioned, a gasoline engine and an electric motor. The engine is a 1.5-liter, 4-cylinder, 16-valve, DOHC Atkinson Cycle gasoline unit producing 76 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 82 lb-ft of torque at 4,200 rpm. Like all other Toyotas, it includes Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) which optimizes power delivery across the engine speed range. The electronic continuously variable transmission, integrated into the HSD system, does not have fixed gear ratios but instead provides infinitely variable ratios in response to driving conditions and throttle position.

Speaking of which, driving the Prius in all conditions is pleasurable. I remember in my test drive of the 2004 version, I actually enjoyed sitting in traffic! Now, I am not one who normally likes hanging out in gridlocked traffic, but when theres a premium JBL AM/FM/CD/cassette audio system with nine speakers on board, a navigational system that I could play around with and a few other gadgets to keep me occupied, its not a bad experience. Plus, as I idled, I knew that I wasnt emitting harmful gases into the air. Its a good feeling.

As mentioned, the Prius engine is humble in terms of the power it produces. I found it to be great in the city, but it did have to work a little harder than usual while ascending steep hills. Even though I spend most of my driving time on city streets, its always nice to have an extra dash of power when needed.

While driving in the city, Toyotas computer-controlled automatic powertrain smoothly transitions between its gasoline engine and the electric motor and generator. The Electronic Throttle Control System (ETCS-i) technology also provides more fluid shifting in comparison to the cable-type throttle setup.

The Prius is equipped with a set of P185/65R15 all-season tires, combined with front ventilated disc and rear drum brakes with ABS and Brake Assist. The high level of safety features doesnt stop with the braking system. In addition, Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) is an option, and also available is an uphill assist control which enables the driver to maintain better control when starting on an uphill grade. Dual-stage front airbags are standard along with an impact-absorbing underbody.

Moving inside, the Prius is tightly knit and nicely designed. It has a touch-screen system that controls basic functions like audio and climate, and it is also used for the optional navigational system. I am quite familiar with my local surroundings, and therefore I rarely needed the assistance of the GPS system.

However, I did have to venture out of my cloister once to run some errands, so I decided to take advantage of it. I was impressed at how easy it was to operate. I didnt even have to reach for the owners manual to figure out the system. Im not one who can readily determine how to use electronic gadgets, but the Prius navigational system boosted my confidence. Maybe Im not as technologically impaired as I thought!

Even with the simplicity of operating the touch-screen, I found it a little distracting, especially the climate control. But the solution to my plight was the steering-wheel-mounted controls. When I wanted to adjust the cabin temperature, I simply switched to the climate control screen and adjusted away with my fingers on the steering wheel. Had it not been for these controls, I might have been a little frustrated.

What isnt frustrating about the Prius is the price. Starting at $20,875, such features as air conditioning, keyless entry remote, cabin air filtration, cruise control, steering wheel controls and power windows and locks come standard.

My test Prius came with Package #6, an additional $5,065 of features. It includes a DVD-based navigational system, vehicle stability control (VSC), premium JBL Audio system with AM/FM stereo cassette, compact disc changer and nine speakers, front side airbags, smart key system, garage door opener, electrochromatic rear view mirror, theft deterrent system and fog lights. The price as tested came to $25,940 including freight and delivery. Thats not a hefty price to pay for a vehicle that offers so much to its consumer.

I was driving home from work one evening and I was stopped at a road block. I had to wait for a couple of minutes before pulling up to the police officer. I found it funny when he asked me if my car was running. I explained that it was, on the electric motor and not the engine. He then asked if the fuel economy was everything it was cracked up to be. Again I answered yes. At the end of my test week I found that I only ended up paying just over $10 for gas, having driven hundreds of miles. It was fantastic, especially for the Prius generous size. I cant think of a more ideal city car.

With all that said, its not only those with six-figure-plus bank accounts who are jumping on the go-green bandwagon, its everyday people who consciously want to make the world a greener place, without dishing out all the green, if you know what I mean.