While most of the Toyota hybrids ascend beyond the typical Toyota buyer's price range, the Prius offers the best fuel efficiency of all for just over $20,000. Toyota and Lexus built two types of hybrid vehicles: some are geared towards performance and others towards efficiency. The Prius is the latter. For 2007, Toyota has added a Prius Touring model. Aiming to offer a more aggressive appearance and a bit more hybrid diving excitement, Toyota was equipped this car with foglights, a rear spoiler, xenon headlamps, 16 inch alloy wheels, and a special sport-tuned suspension. Two models are offered this year, and both now include side and side-curtain airbags as standard safety features. The base model includes automatic climate control, cruise control, a trip computer, a CD six speaker audio system, steering wheel controls, and 15-inch wheels. The Prius can be finished with a long list of options, but these add-ons are organized into expensive packages. Both models are eligible for items like a JBL audio system upgrade with an in-dash CD changer, a DVD-based navigation system with voice-activation (includes Bluetooth and rear backup camera), Vehicle Stability Control, and the SmartKey system. The Prius base and Prius Touring use the same engine and transmission. The foundation is a 1.5 liter DOHC inline four, which generates 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque on its own. The modest engine is paired with two electric motors. One motor is used for engine startup and to recharge the 201-volt battery. The other provides power to the front wheels. The cumulative total is about 110 horsepower. Hybrid Synergy Drive uses a continuously variable transmission, doing away with ordinary toothed gears for a system of transistors. No shifting is required.
The strongest selling point for this pioneering hybrid is fuel efficiency: 60 mpg in city driving and 51 mpg on the highway. City mileage is higher because the electric motor can handle more of the workload at lower speeds.