One Fantastic Car
I long awaited these words from my editor, "Alexandra, you are picking up the 2004 Toyota Prius this week," and then finally they came. Why so thrilled? Come on! Try to find a more interesting vehicle anywhere?
First, I longed to check out if it was as fuel efficient as the specifications claimed it to be. Second, I wanted to see how a full-hybrid system compared to an internal combustion engine (power wise and when it comes to handling).
Since the Prius' debut in North America in 2000, the world's first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid vehicle has earned the title of best-selling hybrid automobile in the world and numerous other awards. The completely revised 2004 Prius is even better than the previous version, including upgraded size, functionality, technology, features and powertrain.
When I went down to pick up my test Prius (incidentally the name is Latin for "to go before") I was a little intimidated. Once inside it felt like I was in a car from another planet. I was Judy Jetson going for a ride in my space-mobile. It took me a couple of days to get used to the car's unique qualities.
After all, the Prius is quite different from any other mid-size vehicle that I've tested, but all such confusion disappeared when I was given a Prius 101 lesson from Toyota's helpful representative. It took only a few minutes for me to get familiar with all the "alien" buttons and gizmos, but after that it was smooth and silent cruising. All I could say after that was, "This thing is so cool!"
I long awaited these words from my editor, "Alexandra, you are picking up the 2004 Toyota Prius this week," and then finally they came. Why so thrilled? Come on! Try to find a more interesting vehicle anywhere?
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| You'd be hard pressed to find a more interesting car for sale today than the Toyota Prius. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
Since the Prius' debut in North America in 2000, the world's first mass-produced gas/electric hybrid vehicle has earned the title of best-selling hybrid automobile in the world and numerous other awards. The completely revised 2004 Prius is even better than the previous version, including upgraded size, functionality, technology, features and powertrain.
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| The interior of the Prius is quite different from any other mid-size vehicle that I've tested. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, Canadian Auto Press) |
After all, the Prius is quite different from any other mid-size vehicle that I've tested, but all such confusion disappeared when I was given a Prius 101 lesson from Toyota's helpful representative. It took only a few minutes for me to get familiar with all the "alien" buttons and gizmos, but after that it was smooth and silent cruising. All I could say after that was, "This thing is so cool!"