2010 Toyota Prius, an AW Drivers Log

Who says hybrids aren't fun to drive? So yeah, this car looks like a water bug and you can hear it working pretty hard when going up hills/inclines, when trying to get up to highway speed and while passing. And you bang over all the bumps and road imperfections. But on good expressway, this Prius was a fine driver for a day trip north and for quick errands.

The seating point was good, although the seatback doesn't adjust very well and at its furthest forward point, I still felt as if I was leaning back. The seats are pretty comfy, and there is good legroom in back. All of the radio and HVAC controls are handy, and the air conditioning was a relief over the hot and muggy weekend. (Yes, I used the A/C in a Prius and no, I didn't feel bad about it.) I also like how, when you use the steering-wheel-mounted controls, they flash on the IP. And there was a bunch of room in the cargo area, even though I didn't make use of it.

What I don't like/can't get used to (from my previous Prius drives) is the instrument cluster being so far forward in the center of the dash. Sure, you can read everything, but why not put it in front of the driver? And why is there so much plastic up front? Geesh! And, what's up with the design/setup of the center console? Why does the console jut out and leave that open space below? Sure, you can throw some stuff in there but it's hard to reach, and the set up gets in the way of legroom.

A couple of passengers commented on the Prius's funky looks and the cool instrumentation and were transfixed by the energy monitor on the dash. They weren't ready to rush out and buy a Prius, even when I told them that it got about 50 mpg, but maybe at some point in the future when gasoline prices head higher.

ASSOCIATE EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: That wasn't as bad as I thought it was going to be, but I have extremely low expectations whenever I see my name signed out for a hybrid on the car board.

All the major areas like acceleration, handling, ride comfort and etc. are covered. Nothing super fantastic, but the Prius puts in a passable effort in all categories.

The three power options are interesting with the eco, normal and sport modes. If I didn't particularly care about people honking at me as I crawled away from every stoplight and was one to get out of my car regularly to hug a tree, the all-battery-power eco mode would be perfect. Well, that and if I was stuck in very heavy bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Too bad I'm not like that, so I was romping around the entire time with the sport setting on, which was noticeably more eager to get up and go. Acceleration is good in fuel-sipping hybrid terms and the car feels fairly agile. Steering is very light and overboosted, but response is good. If you're in the driving mood and feel like flogging the green machine a little, the hard, low-rolling-resistance tires will chirp in protest and really put a damper on any fun that you may attempt to have.

The overall design is unmistakably Prius with the aerodynamic wedge shape, which is a little more rounded and sleeker to the eye. Inside, the plant-derived plastics are another thing that green weenies can point to and pooh-pooh on other vehicles with petroleum-based interior materials. Everything in the Prius's cabin is OK and that's all it has to be because most customers for this car would be happy with absolutely no sound insulation and super inexpensive and flimsy panels if they knew they were saving weight to improve fuel efficiency and thus saving the world. OK, maybe not that drastic, but you get my drift.

Overall, I think the Prius holds an upper hand over the value-minded Honda Insight with slightly better looks and an ever-so-slight edge in driving enjoyment.

2010 Toyota Prius IV

Base Price: $26,550

As-Tested Price: $26,750

Drivetrain: 1.8-liter I4 hybrid; FWD, continuously variable transmission

Output: 98 hp @ 5,200 rpm (hybrid system net 134 hp), 105 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm

Curb Weight: 3,042 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 50/48.5 mpg