What’s new, trim levels, optional equipment, and safety info for the 2008 Toyota Prius.

Introduction

Toyota wasn’t the first to bring a hybrid car to the U.S. market, but it’s been by far the most successful, prompting hybrid competition from just about every major carmaker, some of them using Toyota’s own system under license. The Prius continues to dominate hybrid sales and still accounts for more than half the market. A major element in this car’s ongoing appeal is that it broadcasts its owner’s commitment to green values. Even after five years on the market, the second-generation Prius is hard to mistake for anything else.

And, of course, there’s fuel economy. Even with the more-stringent EPA test procedures, it’s rare for everyday drivers to match government fuel-economy ratings, in this case 48 city mpg and 45 highway. Nevertheless, the front-drive Prius delivers exceptional fuel economy: 54 mpg on a suburban test loop, 50 mpg on the highway in our real-world test.

Beyond fuel economy, a roomy interior, and the entertaining mid-dash electronic graphic display, the Prius is a rather ordinary small car—competent, quiet, adequate in most areas of performance with the exception of so-so braking—and not very entertaining to drive. There are two Prius trim levels, base and Touring, and both use a 110-net-horsepower gasoline-electric hybrid propulsion system.

Verdict

For those who want their car to serve as a green badge of commitment, the Prius is still the answer.

Trim Levels

There are two Prius models—base and Touring. Standard equipment for the base model ($21,760; price varies slightly in certain southern and southeastern states due to different distributors) includes a 76-hp, 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with 67-hp electric-motor assist (110 net horsepower) mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission; antilock brakes with electronic brake force distribution and regenerative braking; traction control; 15-inch wheels with 185/55 all-season tires; body-colored bumpers; a decklid spoiler; auto-on halogen headlamps; intermittent wipers front and rear; a tilting steering wheel with audio, cell-phone, and climate controls; an in-dash LCD (energy monitor, fuel consumption, climate control, audio mode, exterior temp); auto climate control; a six-speaker AM/FM stereo with a CD player; power windows with one-touch up-and-down driver-side control; power locks; remote keyless entry; power side mirrors; a digital clock; and two 12-volt power outlets. The base model cannot be equipped with options packages.

Heated power side mirrors; cruise control; a rear cargo cover; and alloy-wheel trim rings are available for an additional $1375 as part of a sort of “hidden,” unnamed midlevel trim, to which you can then add options packages. Buyers can step up to the Touring model and its firmer suspension tuning, 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels with 195/55 all-season tires, HID headlamps, and a larger decklid spoiler for $24,030 (price varies slightly in certain southern and southeastern states due to different distributors).

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