Toyota Prius Hatchback (09 on) - Review

Thanks to a very aerodynamic shape, the Prius creates very little wind noise, even at higher speeds, while the engine is quiet too, making it a very refined long distance car. The ride is also very impressive, coping with rough and potholed roads with ease. Interior space is generous with plenty of room for four adults, while those in the back get very well catered for with surprising amounts of legroom and plenty of headroom. All models get automatic air conditioning while an optional solar powered ventilation system is available on T Spirit models. This stops the cabin getting too hot when the car is parked and includes a remote control function that switches on the air con system for three minutes, cooling down the cabin before you get in.

The Prius is longer than an Auris but not quite as large as an Avensis. It's a good car for families thanks to a large boot with a wide opening and low load lip while a luggage capacity of 445 litres is considerably more than a Volkswagen Golf. The rear seats have the usual 60/40 split and fold flat too, creating a long area for items such as bikes. There's also a really useful underfloor boot storage tray which is ideal for keeping items out of sight or to stop them sliding around the boot floor. In the front there's good storage including a split-level glovebox and a large central bin between the seats. The small door pockets are a little disappointing though.

While the interior of the Prius may not be much to look at - it's dominated by grey plastics which are only average quality and a little on the hard side - it does have a modern feel and an easy to use layout. One criticism is the driving position. The driver's seat doesn't move for height and the steering wheel needs more reach adjustment. However the rest works well, especially the neat stubby gear selector and straightforward air conditioning system. Instead of conventional dials, there's a digital display in the middle of the dash top. This not only shows your speed and fuel level but can also be set to display the Eco Drive Monitor - a useful bar that illustrates when the battery is being charged and how efficiently you're driving. Impressively, all cars also get a head-up display as standard. This projects key information (speed, navigation and the Eco Monitor) onto the base of the windscreen so you don't need to take your eyes of the road. It can be adjusted for height and brightness or switched off completely.