This is the first Hybrid car to be crash tested by Euro NCAP and it performed well, gaining a five star rating. The safety body described Prius as having "a very strong and stable passenger safety cage." In addition every model has front and side airbags and front and rear curtain airbags, front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters, ABS with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA), Electronic Traction Control (E-TRC), Stability Control Plus (VSC+).
Security is taken care of by an alarm, immobiliser and remote central locking.
The boot is large and has a wide opening, making it ideal for carrying large and awkwardly-shaped loads. There's no evidence of battery packs or hybrid mechanicals intruding into the load area. The seats split and fold for added load area. The glovebox is large and splits in two places for extra room. There are also large door bins, cupholders in the back and a handy sunglasses holder.
Euro NCAP Rating
The Toyota Prius Hatchback (04-09) was tested by Euro NCAP in and received the following safety ratings:
Euro NCAP provides motoring consumers with a realistic and independent assessment of the safety performance of some of the most popular cars sold in Europe. The safety ratings are determined from a series of vehicle tests, designed and carried out by Euro NCAP. These tests represent, in a simplified way, important real life accident scenarios that could result in injured or killed car occupants or other road users.
