Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius has sold more than all other hybrids combined—and for good reason. Since the debut of the second generation Prius in 2003 (as a 2004 model), the midsize hatchback sedan has racked up award after award. Years later, the Prius continues to be a red-hot seller.

PROS:

The Prius drives like a charm, humming along silently in all-electric mode at low speeds and revving up its 110 combined gas-electric horsepower for a respectable 0-to-60 rate of 10.2 seconds. Its stability control system makes it very safe. And the Prius has loads of bells and whistles, from keyless entry, a high-tech fuel use dash display, and a rear-view camera system to help you squeeze into a tight parking spot. When Toyota released the second generation Prius in 2003, the vehicle was bigger, faster, more efficient, and more stylized than its predecessor. The third-generation Prius, due out in mid-2009 as a 2010 model, promises a similar bump in the key metrics.

CONS:

Driven conservatively, it feels almost like a normal, albeit a very underpowered car, with some unusual sounds added and occasionally normal sounds subtracted. However, merging into a fast-moving expressway is an adventure, as the tiny engine howls and wheezes as it struggles to get the car up to speed.

Steering is electric rather than hydraulic, which is a necessity in a car in which the engine may or may not be running, but definitely lacks feel. Although it does not feel unsafe by any means, a narrow track coupled with small wheels (only 15 inches) and Toyota's preferred soft suspension tuning does not inspire confidence.