As the hybrid market has evolved and heated up considerably in recent years, one thing hasn't changed: the Toyota Prius remains king of the hill. And the 2011 Prius ably dons the crown with its best-in-class fuel economy, versatile and space-efficient cabin, comfortable ride, high-tech feature offerings, solid build quality and reasonable pricing.
If anything, the Prius is even better following last year's redesign which made aerodynamic revisions to further reduce drag while also giving the car a sleeker and sportier look. The gas engine size was increased and the electric motor was also strengthened, resulting in both additional power and still better gas mileage performance, with a combined city/highway EPA rating of 50 mpg, simply tops in the conventional hybrid segment. Handling agility was also enhanced thanks to a new suspension tuning and improved electric steering.
The 2011 Prius also offers a wide range of personal customization based on individual preferences. It can come as a fairly basic but versatile utility hatchback or be equipped like a small luxury sedan. Indeed, upper level models can sport such premium and high-tech features as heated leather seats, navigation, an automated parallel-parking system, a solar-powered sunroof (for interior ventilation when parked), a pre-collision system which tightens the seatbelts and applies the brakes if an imminent crash is detected, a lane-departure warning system and adaptive cruise control.
Trims, Standard Features And Options:
The 2011 Toyota Prius is offered in five trims: simply named Prius I, Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV and Prius V.
Standard features on the Prius I include power windows, power mirrors, power doorlocks, 15-inch steel wheels, a height-adjustable driver seat, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel and a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, while the Prius II adds cruise control, keyless entry/ignition, 15-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, heated exterior mirrors and a 6-speaker audio system with a CD player and an auxiliary audio jack.
Update: Weak Economy Leads To Lower Prius Prices:
Car sales have been on the weak side historically for close to the past two years now. And Toyota has recently been offsetting at least some of the market weakness through strong incentives and easier-to-get discounts. It remains a buyer's market right now, resulting in an excellent opportunity to get the lowest price.
The bottom line? Car dealers will "wheel and deal" bigtime right now if you know how to push their buttons to get the best price. Here's an article on the best negotiating technique to take advantage of the current sluggish car market (definitely read before ever going to a dealership): The Trick To Buying A New Prius At The Best Price.
Moving up to the Prius III adds Bluetooth as well as an 8-speaker JBL audio system with a 6-disc CD changer, while the Prius IV goes on to add leather upholstery, heated front seats, exterior locking buttons for keyless entry, an auto-dimming mirror and driver lumbar adjustment. The top-of-the-line Prius V then adds foglamps, LED headlamps with auto-leveling and washers, and 17-inch alloy wheels.
The optional Navigation package is available on all models except the Prius I and II and includes voice-activated touchscreen navigation, a rearview camera, a 4-disc CD changer (instead of the 6-disc), Bluetooth music streaming and an iPod/USB audio interface. A Solar Roof package can then be added to the Navigation package and features a sunroof with a solar-powered ventilation system and remote-activated air-conditioning for cooling the cabin before entering.
There's also an Advanced Technology package offered on the Prius V which includes everything in the Navigation package, automated self parking, a pre-collision alert system, a lane departure warning system and adaptive cruise control.
Engines, Powertrain And Gas Mileage:
Powering all 2011 Prius models is a combination of a 1.8-liter four-cylinder gas engine with two electric motor/generators. The total output is 134 horsepower, transferred by a specialized continuously variable transmission (CVT).
Gas mileage performance is outstanding with an EPA-estimate of 51 mpg city, 48 mpg on the highway and 50 mpg in combined driving.
Safety:
Standard safety features across the board on all 2011 Toyota Prius models include traction and stability control, antilock disc brakes (ABS), front side airbags, a driver knee airbag and side curtain airbags. In addition, a pre-collision warning system and a lane-departure warning system are available options on upper level models.
Government crash tests had not yet been completed at the time of this writing. However, the 2010 Prius received four out of five stars stars in frontal-impact protection for both driver and passenger, while earning five stars for front passengers and four stars for rear passengers in side-impact tests.
Interior:
The 2011 Prius' cabin is attractive, roomy and user-friendly. The protruding "floating console", while perhaps busy looking to some, is well laid out, easy to see and use, and also offers an underneath storage tray. A particularly convenient feature is a digital instrument panel display of audio, temperature and trip computer information by touching these controls on the steering wheel.
The overall interior has been thoughtfully designed to maximize space and versatility, while the seating is both comfortable and supportive, front and rear. There's ample space in the backseat and the hatchback body style allows for more cargo room than most traditional midsize sedans.
Drive:
The driving quality of the 2011 Toyota Prius is not engineered to be particularly spirited, but as a gas-sipping hybrid is quite competent, secure and agile enough. Most drivers will likely be satisfied with its acceleration as well as its helpful four driving modes (Normal, Eco, Power and EV) which allow the driver to select the best powertrain configuration depending on the situation. Eco is uninspiring but gets the best gas mileage. Power is more upbeat for driving up hills or entering highways, while EV eliminates the gas engine in speeds of up to 25 mph when the battery is at least half-charged.
A big plus, of course, is a drive that is exceedingly quiet, even silent at times, due to the part-time electric power and lots of noise-reducing materials.
Price:
2011 Toyota Prius Hybrid:
Prius I: list price: $21,650, invoice price: $20,567
Prius II: list price: $23,050, invoice price: $21,667
Prius III: list price: $24,050, invoice price: $22,389
Prius IV: list price: $26,850, invoice price: $24,994
Prius V: list price: $28,320, invoice price: $26,362
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