The Toyota hybrid or currently the Prius with its Hybrid Synergy Drive, has sold over a hundred thousand units in the United States, a country that probably has the most discriminating customer base in the world. In respect to new technology the rest of the world follows what happens in the U.S. before dipping its own toes in the water. Thankfully Toyota figured they were quite capable of producing a vehicle that would not solely rely on fossil fuels in the late twentieth and early twenty first century, and that that vehicle could successfully face the critical scrutiny of the U.S. community. The challenge to Toyota continues to be huge and you can't help but admire any manufacturer willing to try converting people away from the current standard means of propulsion to something so dynamically different, even though many of us appreciate the necessity of doing so.

The development of hybrid Toyota cars has been necessary in order to discover a suitable power source before the supply of fossil fuels is exhausted, which some scientists suggest may occur in this century. In the early days of battery powered cars it was necessary to plug the car batteries into a mains socket when you arrived back from your drive. This was never a good selling point, not only because of an inconvenience factor, but also because no one was certain how much this would ultimately cost. Today Toyota has resolved this issue by converting the previously wasted kinetic energy from the car's braking system into electricity. This additional source of electricity is delivered to the battery thereby automatically recharging it while the vehicle is in motion.

Between 2000 and 2003 Toyota offered the Prius to the U.K. public in three guises, all equipped with a 1.5 VVTi Hybrid motor producing a maximum 71 bhp. The engine was noisy if pressed but it was possible to achieve more than 60 miles for every gallon. This economy was supplied through a semi-automatic gearbox and equipment levels were so high the only extra to pay for was metallic paint. Expect to pay up to £9,300 for a 2003 model with 24,000 miles on the clock.

For 2006 hybrid Toyota cars will include a wider range of vehicles such as a Toyota hybrid SUV version of the Highlander. The 1.5 engine is retained but improved with power up to 76 bhp. Although this small gain in power may appear insignificant on paper, in real terms the significance to performance is fairly amazing with top speed now 106 mph and acceleration of zero to sixty miles an hour around 10.5 seconds. Fuel consumption has not suffered, and it remains possible to average between 55 and 65 miles per gallon.
The genius of the Toyota hyrbid is continued into the cabin area which retains an unconventional appearance. The steering wheel houses sixteen controls, while the seating is high providing good all round visibility. A spacious interior ensures that this is a genuine five seat family vehicle, while a split fold rear seat allows for an increase in boot space when required. Trim levels are very good on all three versions of the Prius. The T3 includes front and rear electric windows, electric door mirrors, a CD player and climate control. The T4 is next with an additional six-CD auto-changer, front fog lamps and cruise control. The top of the range T Spirit has a DVD-based sat nav-system with voice recognition plus a Bluetooth interface for some mobile phones.

All new hybrid Toyota cars are also equipped with ABS, traction control, passenger and side air-bags and alloy wheels. Prices start at £17, 545 for the VVTi T3 Hybrid 5dr CVT auto and peak at £20,045 for the VVTi T Spirit Hybrid 5d CVT auto. Security is provided by deadlocks, locking wheel-nuts and marked parts. The insurance grouping is 8.

The hybrid Toyota cars available today such as the Prius are well worth investigating because they offer a spacious, comfortable package with possibly the best economy of any vehicle of comparable size. Add to that the list of standard equipment and conventional speed and acceleration performance and the prospect of changing to a newer form of powered transport begins to appeal. Toyota is renowned world-wide as a manufacturer that has built its reputation on the strong reliability of its models. Hybrid Toyota cars may be breaking new ground, but they continue the hard won reputation of one of the best motor manufacturer's in the world today. The time has arrived when everyone should be thinking about hybrid vehicles, and currently Toyota offer the best.