2008 Toyota Prius

Welcome to the Driving Range with Dave Jordan - Your Auto Guide to the South Shore of Nova Scotia. All you need to know about Nova Scotia's South Shore Auto scene.

This week, Dave Jordan checks the 2008 Toyota Prius:

With the climate change issue and global warming generally accepted as a significant environmental concern, and with our government and that of our neighbours south of the border reluctant to commit measures to significantly reduce harmful emissions, it is up to corporate Canada and the consumer, once again, to change our habits and hopefully reduce the damage to some degree. Auto manufacturers have been steadily, if at times incrementally, improving their technology to squeeze more miles per gallon out of their products. We aren’t quite at the point where exhaust pipes will emit nothing but water vapour from hydrogen power – although there are some pilot-project vehicles on the road today – or zero emissions altogether from 100 per cent electric-powered vehicles, but we are getting closer. Truth be told, GM is working on a pure electric car called the Volt and a small company in California by the name of Tesla is starting production of their sporty, totally electric two-seat roadster. Alas, at about $100,000 a piece, their minimalistic first-year production run of this Lotus Elise-based car will likely suffice current needs.

So in the realm of environmentally friendly transportation, hybrids are the current choice for mainstream eco-friendly vehicles. Initially hybrids were thought to be an expensive novelty purchase for those who wanted to be the first to drive this new breed of vehicle and do their part for the environment and their pocketbooks at the gas pumps. Well, maybe not their pocketbooks since the first hybrids were quite a bit more expensive than their solely gasoline-powered counterparts. But times have changed so, with continued pressure to fill this niche and reduce prices, most manufacturers offer at least one hybrid vehicle with many carrying three or more. Toyota is one such company with hybrid versions of their popular Camry, Highlander SUV and industry-leading Prius now available for purchase. Thanks to O’Regan’s for the use of a most popular hybrid, the 2008 Prius.

For those of you who haven’t been paying attention, a hybrid is a vehicle propelled by a conventional gasoline engine coupled with a battery-powered electric motor. Mild hybrids operate using both components all of the time while full hybrids, such as the Prius, can run on electric or gas power independently when conditions permit. At start-up or low speeds when the energy demand is low, the electric motor acts alone to propel the vehicle. As speed increases, the gas engine kicks in to aid in propulsion and to generate electricity to power the electric motor (come generator) and charge the battery. During acceleration, the gas engine receives additional power from the electric motor, thus improving performance, saving fuel and reducing emissions. When slowing down or braking, the regenerative braking system uses kinetic energy to produce electricity (via the motor/generator) and recharge the battery. The gas engine will also disengage when coasting and remain so until called upon for further acceleration duty. Confused yet? Actually the concept is quite simple yet ingenious, and virtually seamless in operation.

The driving experience in the Prius is not unlike many conventional mid-sized sedans on the market. With a smooth, quiet ride, very good bump absorption and decent cornering abilities, considering its not so svelte 3,800 lb girth (you can thank the heavy battery pack for that), you are mostly conscious of the hybrid technology when you come to a stop and there is dead silence. The transition between gas and electric-powered motivation is indiscernible, with a quick glance at the display screen the only clue to which device is being utilized at any given time. The total net output of 110 HP may seem low but the substantial torque – 295 lb. ft. from the motor alone – endows the Prius with V6-like acceleration. Passing power is not an issue with this Toyota.

The area where you will recognize the advantage from your new hybrid purchase is at the pumps. The Prius achieves an astounding 4.0 L/100 km (71 mpg) city and 4.2 (67) highway fuel consumption figures. Hybrid ratings are normally higher for city driving than when travelling on the highway since the use of the electric motor is typically more dominant in stop-and-go traffic. By the way, for those of you who are concerned about having to replace an expensive battery pack, don’t worry. Tests of Toyota’s latest-generation unit show that the battery maintains efficiency for up to 300,000 km without deterioration. 'Nuff said.

Prius comes in only one body style and that is in five-door hatchback configuration. Strong efforts have been made to ensure this sleek silhouette slips through the air with efficiency and Toyota engineers have done so in achieving an enviable 0.26 coefficient of drag (COD). Without going all techno-speak on you, the lower the COD, the less wind resistance is realized and the greater the fuel economy achieved. This approach results in a unique exterior that is instantly recognizable and somewhat French European (say Citroën) looking. From a Japanese manufacturer? Hey, the Nissan Versa looks like a Renault! Interior accoutrements are distinctly Japanese, but with the usual Toyota high-quality look and feel predominant throughout the spacious and well laid out cabin. There are, however, a few techno features to remind you that this is no ordinary family sedan. Take the prominent in-dash display screen, for example, which shows you the interaction of the various drive components of the hybrid system and allows access, through the touch-screen menu, to backup audio and climate controls as well as, if equipped, the neat backup camera display and optional navigation system. The gauge package is a digital readout affair that reminds me of my old 1986 Mazda 626 that sported the then fashionable bar graph and digital number displays. Not so cool then, way cool today. My Premium Package-equipped Prius featured a Smart Key System that detects your proximity to the car, via the remote, and automatically unlocks the doors (which would be handy if you have two armfuls of groceries in tow)  and, while still in your pocket, allows you to fire up the Prius with the dash-mounted start button. Even the transmission is the latest CVT type that is engaged using a diminutive spring-loaded dash-mounted lever.  Drive-by-wire throttle as well as hill climb and descent control are additional advanced technologies found in every Prius.

Standard safety features abound with ABS, Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Traction Control on tap. The Premium Packages add Vehicle Stability Control to the mix. Standard dual stage front, front seat mounted side, and front head/side airbags ensure passive safety is top-notch as well.

So hybrids are becoming more common in the automotive landscape with Toyota in the thick of it and determined to remain a leader. Prius prices start at $29,500, with the Premium and Premium w/Navigation packages going for $32,530 and $35,280 respectively. Not bad for all of that technology, a great ride and huge savings at the pumps. And with gas prices where they are today these prices may end up being a bargain.

Dave’s Auto Archive - In 2002 Toyota had sold 100,000 Priuses worldwide and by the end of 2006 that number reached 500,000