2011 Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius has been a fantastic hybrid car for many years. In 2011, it not only keeps its status but improves on it. Its keeps its good looks from its 2010 redesign, but has even better gas mileage and both its engines are more powerful.

Like many cars, the Prius has a range of options ranging from basic to high-end. At the top levels, you can look forward to cool features like a solar-powered sunroof and an included navigation system. Safety is another area where the Prius shines. It has options for systems to warn you in case you start to drift out of your lane, cruise control that'll automatically match your speed with that of the car ahead of you, and a collision system that'll tighten your seat belts when it senses that a crash will be unavoidable.

Toyota has managed a great engineering feat for all of its 2011 Prius models: It has managed to achieve better fuel efficiency despite increasing the power of both the gasoline and electric engine components of the car. It can get up to 50 MPG in combined city/highway driving conditions; better than any other conventional hybrid car. It has a 4-cylinder gas engine that is estimated to be able to travel over 600 miles on a single tank of fuel.

The Prius is also a very versatile car. It can be used in standard mode, or changed over to hatchback mode to haul extra cargo. It also includes cargo tie-downs. Thanks to its small size, it's easy to park in tight places.

Even the base model of the Toyota Prius has many great features. It includes things like remote locks, a height-adjustable driver's seat, power windows and mirrors, wheel-mounted audio controls and a low fuel warning light.

These are all things that are optional upgrades in some other car models, but the Prius provides them as standard equipment. Of course, the Prius also has upgraded trim choices that provide even more great features. This makes the Toyota Prius a great choice for those who don't want to skimp on their driving comfort.

If you want an environmentally friendly car that has more going for it than just its good gas mileage, the Toyota Prius should be on your short list. The days of hybrid cars being expensive are gone; the Prius' affordable starting price makes it very affordable. Take a test drive, and you'll surely want to bring a 2011 Prius home with you.