2009 Toyota Prius
Although the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car was originally introduced in 2001, it wasn’t until the second-generation model arrived in 2004 that it become a phenomenon. The hybrid-electric Prius 4-door sedan is now sold in more than 40 countries. With standard front-wheel drive and a pair of powerplants under its hood (1.5-liter gasoline and a 67-hp electric motor), the EPA rates the Toyota Prius at 48 mpg city and 45 mpg highway (hybrid vehicles regenerate power in the city, so their mileage in the city cycle is often better). The Toyota Prius earned two accolades in our recent studies. The first was in our 2008 Initial Quality Study (IQS), the industry benchmark for new-vehicle quality measured at 90 days of ownership, where the Toyota ranked among the top three models in its segment. The second was in our 2008 Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), designed to measure problems experienced by original owners of 3-year-old vehicles. In the VDS, the Prius ranked highest in its segment, helping to dispel reliability concerns with hybrid vehicles. After some changes for the 2008 model year, the 2009 Toyota Prius remains mostly unchanged in advance of a complete redesign for 2010.
2009 Small Cars Buyer's Guide
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