2011 Toyota Prius - Still the Hybrid King

The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced gasoline / electric automobile, and more than a decade later it still reigns supreme as the king of the hybrid segment. Although the Prius faces much stiffer competition than it did even a few short years ago, Toyota has managed to invest its development dollars in all the right areas, coming out with a redesigned edition of the compact hatchback last year that maintains its status as the class leader.

Let’s take a look at some of the features and characteristics of the 2011 Toyota Prius that have helped to keep it at the forefront of the hybrid movement.

01. The 2011 Toyota Prius Still Offers the Best Traditional Hybrid Fuel Economy on the Market

When the Toyota Prius was redesigned for the 2010 model year, it gained a larger gasoline engine and more power but didn’t make any sacrifices when it came to fuel economy. The Prius is motivated by Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive, which consists of a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder engine that is coupled with two electric motors by way of a continuously-variable automatic transmission. Together, these three sources provide 134 horsepower and fuel economy that is rated at 51-mpg in city driving and 48-mpg on the highway.

This exceptional fuel mileage rating places the Prius ahead of vehicles like the Honda Civic Hybrid, the Honda Insight and the Lexus CT 200h, which shares a similar drivetrain. In fact, in order to beat the Prius at the fuel economy game, it is necessary to consider a pure electric vehicle like the Nissan LEAF, or a near-electric like the Chevrolet Volt.

02. The 2011 Toyota Prius Provides Practicality and Comfort

Another side effect of the Toyota Prius redesign was an emphasis on providing the vehicle with a more versatile cargo management option and better passenger accommodations. The vehicle’s hatchback body style allows for easy access to the rear storage compartment, which can expand to as much as 21.6 cubic feet with the back seats folded forward. This is more space than is provided the trunks of most mid-size sedans.

In terms of passenger room, the Toyota Prius actually leaps out of the compact class and falls squarely under the banner of mid-size thanks to the efficient use of its interior volume. The vehicle’s tall roofline also contributes to a sensation of space within the automobile.

03. The 2011 Toyota Prius Can Be Ordered With High End Options

Although it might be frugal at the fuel pump, the Toyota Prius offers the chance for buyers to indulge in a host of advanced technological options and luxury features. Available in five different trim levels, the top tier edition of the hybrid comes with equipment such as LED headlights, a JBL stereo system, an iPod interface and heated leather seats, as well as the option to add Bluetooth integration.

The Prius can additionally be ordered with the Advanced Technology Package, which includes dynamic radar cruise control, a pre-collision system that can automatically slow the vehicle down and prep its safety systems if it detects that a crash is imminent, an automated parallel parking feature and a lane departure warning system. Also available is a voice-controlled Navigation Package.

04. The 2011 Toyota Prius Offers Segment-Leading Special Features

In addition to its luxury gear, the 2011 Toyota Prius also offers a few intriguing features not found on any other hybrid. One of the most impressive is its Solar Roof Package, which features solar panels integrated into the hybrid’s roof that are designed to power the vehicle’s air conditioning system. The system is designed to keep the interior of the Prius cool on very hot days, using the energy gathered by the solar panels to ventilate the interior and chill the air prior to the driver sliding behind the wheel. This in turn reduces the amount of power required from the gasoline engine to cool down the cabin when driving those first few miles on a very hot day.

The 2011 Prius also offers an EV mode, which allows the vehicle to move forward exclusively under battery power with no assistance from the gasoline engine. EV mode can be used for short trips of up to a mile, provided that speeds are kept below 25 miles per hour.

05. The 2011 Toyota Prius Comes with Toyota's Star Safety System

The 2011 Toyota Prius provides a full suite of safety gear through the Toyota Star Safety System that is included with each and every edition of the car. The Star Safety System bundles features such as traction control, vehicle stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. Toyota’s new Smart Stop feature, which automatically powers down the engine if the brake pedal and the accelerator are depressed simultaneously, is also part of the package.

The Prius also comes with a full complement of airbags, including front units, seat-mounted side airbags, and a knee airbag for the driver. Side curtain airbags that run the full length of the passenger compartment are also featured.

06. The Toyota Prius Brand is Expanding

Toyota is anxious to grow the Prius brand to include not just the current vehicle, but also a small stable of more focused automobiles that make use of the same basic hybrid platform. The first of these new Prius variants is the Toyota Prius v, a wagon edition of the gasoline / electric vehicle which offers increased interior space and more cargo room and which is targeted at families on the go. Following in its footsteps will be a subcompact edition of the Prius (dubbed the Prius c concept), as well a plug-in hybrid version of the vehicle, the Prius PHV.

The Prius v should be available this coming summer, with the Prius c concept and the Prius PHV hitting showrooms sometime in early 2012.