Toyota Prius

Overview
Highs: 

Practical car with great gas mileage
Lots of standard equipment
Roomy interior

Lows: 

Lackluster highway performance
Poorer mpg in winter like other hybrids

Verdict: 

A practical car overall
Sets the standard for environmentally friendly transportation

Ratings: 
8.4/10 (US News & World Report 2008-07-10)
7.8/10 (Edmunds.com)
Year Introduced: 
2001
Class
Fuel: 
Gasoline Electric
Roads: 
Road, freeway
Seats: 
5
Doors: 
4
Wheels: 
4
Class: 
Compact
Costs
Price: 
$21000
MPG: 
46
Cost MPG: 
46
Performance
Range: 
500miles
Maximum Speed: 
100mph
Horsepower: 
76 hp @ 5000 rpm
Torque: 
82 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
Dimensions
Volume Passenger: 
96.2cubic ft
Volume Cargo: 
14.4cubic ft
Length: 
14.58ft
Width: 
5.66ft
Height: 
4.89ft
Weight: 
2932lb
Safety & Reliability
Rating Reliability: 
JD Power: 9/10
Rating Safety: 
Front 4/5, side 4/5 & 5/5 (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)
Front Good(top), offset Good (Top), side Good (Top), rear Marginal (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety)
Warranty: 
36 months/36,000 miles
Links
Supplier: 

Toyota Motor http://www.toyota.com/

Reviews: 

US News & World Report 2008-07-10

Cars.com 2008-1-31

New Car Test Drive 2007-12-1