Over 50mpg is achievable in everyday driving and this figure increases the gentler you are with the throttle. Insurance groups are quite low (7 and 8), because of relatively cheap crash/repair costs. Depreciation is slower than average. Toyota servicing tends to be quite pricey.

Prius performs remarkably well on the eco front. It does feature a hybrid engine, which is essentially a petrol engine linked to an electric motor, which, when you brake or coast, captures energy to charge the battery for the electric motor. That means you get power without the added fuel bills. With an average of 104 g/km CO2 across the range, its emissions are refreshingly low for an executive hatchback.

It’s worth noting that the line-up does not feature any diesel models, which typically produce less carbon dioxide than petrol engines with similar power outputs. Eco-conscious buyers should consider the 1.5-litre hybrid, which is one of the greenest models in the range. The range is impressively economical, averaging 65 mpg.

Despite new technology, there have been no major problems with Prius – it’s Toyota business as usual. Time will tell if this pattern will continue.