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Follow-Up Test: 2002 Toyota Prius
Zap Me, Mother Love
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By Neil Dunlop
Date posted: 01-28-2002
We can't keep track. Is geekiness in? Is Bill Gates sexy because of his brain?
Does environmentalism and energy conservation get you invited to Hollywood parties,
other than those hosted by Ed Begley Jr.?
We'd like to know before we endorse the 2002 Toyota Prius. Ah, the heck with trends,
we love this car. We didn't expect to, mainly because its raison d'être
is as a showcase for hybrid technology, and, therefore, it's a magnet for the
pocket-protected (it was named the Best Engineered Car of 2001 by the Society
of Automotive Engineers — 'nuff said). And treehuggers love it, too.
Not that there's anything wrong with that, but we traditionally cheer for powerful
internal combustion engines with glorious exhaust notes and little regard for
emissions or fuel consumption. We want to be friends with Paul Newman and Jay
Leno.
Also, while not exactly ugly, the Prius' looks are somewhere between bland and
uninspired, like a visual rice cake. If you own a Prius, no one will ever look
at it and say "Nice car."
That is, until they settle into one of its broad, well bolstered, comfortable
seats. As they enjoy its airy, bright and well-constructed interior they will
marvel at the surplus of leg- and headroom. The eye-catching center-mounted digital
instrument cluster will also solicit their approval. And all but the most jaded
and disenchanted of your passengers will be wowed by the 5.8-inch liquid crystal
information monitor in the middle of the center console.
The monitor shows controls and settings for the audio system, which you can control
by either traditional switches or by touching buttons on the screen. Also, if
you select "Energy" with your finger, the screen uses a set of nifty graphics
to show power flow between the engine, wheels, electric motor and battery. Or
if you select "Consumption," you get a bar graph that shows current fuel mileage,
average mpg and trip mileage that is updated every 5 minutes.
The monitor also serves as the map screen for the DVD-based navigation system.
The multi-use monitor is the closest thing we've ever seen to the on-board control
module we imagined in Martian spaceships when we were kids. Really, it's like
playing on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise while Captain Kirk is on a smoke
break.
When we first reviewed the Prius
after its debut in 2001, it had the way-cool monitor, but not the navigation system.
New for 2002, the system is a $1,900 option. Other new options are side airbags
($250), cruise control ($250) and daytime running lights ($40).
The best part about the nav system is its touchscreen capability, which makes
it much easier to operate quickly, like when you're at a stoplight. Other nav
systems that are controlled by buttons and various switchgear are fussier and
more laborious to use. That is not to say the Prius' nav system is easy to use.
It comes with a 90-page manual, which, unless you're a NASA engineer, you will
have to read to operate the system effectively and to its full potential. This
is pretty standard for navigation systems, regardless of the automaker: They're
complicated tools, but once learned, they are as easy to operate as your average
VCR.
As proof, in a few hours, we were able to learn enough to get by — just basic
A to B stuff. And once acclimated, we found the maps, guidance system and interface
(that is, the computer's voice) user-friendly and helpful.
But like our childhood toys, the novelty of the screen may soon wear off. No problem,
the real thrill of the Prius is its hybrid engine. The Toyota's primary power
is provided by an all-aluminum 1.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces
a seemingly paltry 70 horsepower at 4,500 rpm and 82 pound-feet of torque at 4,200
rpm. Sounds like the specs for a sewing machine, huh? Yeah, we thought so, too.
But the Prius' big trick is marrying this engine with an electric drive motor.
That unit delivers 44 hp across a wide powerband (1,040 rpm to 5,600 rpm) and
258 lb-ft from 0 to 400 rpm. Together, the system produces enough oomph to propel
the 2,765-pound sedan with élan in the city and at highway speeds
up to 100 mph. And, even at that speed, it manages 23 mpg. Also, when we pressed
the throttle at 70 mph, it still had a little left for passing.
At no time during our week in the Prius did it feel underpowered. Not bad for
a vehicle with an EPA rating of 52 miles per gallon in the city and 45 on the
highway. (During our week with the Prius, we averaged approximately 48 mpg combined
city and highway driving.) We actually had fun zipping around town in the Prius.
It's especially enjoyable at low speeds when only the electric motor is being
used. Truly, motoring along while the gasoline engine is silent and inert is heaps
of fun. Looking at other commuters in their noisy, smelly internal combustion
contraptions, you can't help but feel a little superior.
We have a few complaints, though. A cassette player, rather than a CD player,
is standard. Nowadays, even CDs are anachronistic oddities for techies, so, at
the very least, a CD player should be standard and perhaps some digital music
capabilities made optional.
Also, we found the cupholders too shallow and too close together for those in
a commuter car. In the morning, you must be able to trust that your car can carry
two or four grandes without losing a drop. And, though the Prius sports a large
center console, map pockets and door cubbies, there's no drawer for coins. Where
are you supposed to put your change for tolls and parking meters? While the 11.8-cubic-foot
trunk is ample, we wish the rear seats would fold for longer loads. This limits
the size and shape of cargo you can tote in the Prius.
And back to the Prius' looks. We understand that Toyota wanted to make its hybrid
showcar stand out from other vehicles without appearing freakish (read: Honda
Insight). But why does it have to be the automotive equivalent of a sensible shoe?
What about dropping the hybrid system into a Celica body? Maybe then we could
carpool with Jay Leno.
See all the Ratings: 2002 Toyota Prius 4dr Sedan (1.5L 4cyl Gas/Elec Hybrid CVT) Road Test Scoreboard
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