When it comes to the hybrid game, Toyota leads the pack, and with its latest intro, continues to set the place. The 2010 Toyota Prius is on the prowl, ready to throw a wrench in everyone else’s hybrid game. Put-putting along at low speeds to achieve maximum fuel economy, the Prius takes the hobby to a whole new interactive level, with technology that is accessible and easy to operate, and endless mpg streaming. (We’ve heard 70 mpg rumors, but unfortunately we don’t have the eco-minded patience to achieve such feats in the Gotryke Garage.) We spent a week in the Prius, being regular, which is at the end of the day what most Prius owners will do, averaging about 50 mpg. That means conducting errands in busy traffic, and making cross-town jaunts to art events and practical stops at grocery stores. We even tested the baby seat and stroller component with our starring backseat 1-yr old evaluator. Truth be told, the baby factor sometimes knocks small cars out of the game, with proportions that cancel out the passenger’s hope of leg room. For a small contender, the Prius survived our gear test. So what do we think about the looks and feel?

It’s a whole new look for the Prius in 2010, but it still looks like, eh, a Prius – a space-age four-door hatchback that seats five people, or three adults and one baby seat. [click to continue…]

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