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Three driving modes – EV (electric only), Eco and Power play a significant role in how the new Prius drives and performs. Max combined power of the new and bigger 1.8-litre petrol engine (up from 1.5-litres) and the new 60kW electric motor is now 134bhp, and this, along with an electric CVT transmission and an ultra low drag coefficient of 0.25, sees it zip to 60mph in 10.4secs with a 112mph top speed. On the road it’s nippy enough, but even in ‘PWR’ mode the Prius is no rocketship. Its brake-by-wire system makes the braking feel a little odd, but, with a combined and urban mpg figure of 72.4 (76.4mpg extra urban), will you care?

This isn’t the Prius’ strongest suit either. It rides comfortably enough at medium to high speeds, but at lower speeds, eg. when around town, it can feel a bit intolerant of lumps, ruts and nasty surfaces. At 1,370-1,420kgs (depending on spec) it’s marginally heavier than a Toyota Auris for example, but on the 15” alloy wheels the Prius’ chassis doesn’t feel particularly spirited or ‘chuckable’. It steers and grips well, and it can be hustled along fairly quickly, but it’s not what I’d describe as an enthusiastic drivers’ machine. I’m told it’s a little sportier on the optional 17” alloys, but I didn’t get to try those for myself.

Toyota almost always features at or near the top of customer satisfaction surveys. For the past two years the outgoing Prius came first in the ‘Lowest Problems’ category of JD Power surveys in the UK, France and Germany, while more recently it also came first in the ‘Upper Medium’ section of JD Power’s ’09 UK Vehicle Ownership Satisfaction Study. The Prius is covered by a 3yr/60,000mile warranty (extended to 5yrs/60,000m for the hybrid system components, battery included). Interestingly, the Prius’ warranty costs to Toyota are lower than for all other models, and it looks and feels very well made.

The new Prius has been engineered to achieve the full five stars in the latest, more stringent Euro NCAP crash test. Features include an Electronically-Controlled Braking regeneration system (ECB) that helps recharge the battery as well as flashing the rear brake lights during heavy braking. There’s also Brake Assist, Traction Control and steering assist Vehicle Stability Control, along with seven airbags and five seatbelts with Emergency Locking retractors, pretensioners and force limiters to reduce impact on the wearer’s chest. The front seats have anti-whiplash headrests while significant measures have been adopted to reduce pedestrian injury.

Although Toyota refers to the Prius as a D-segment or Avensis-sized car (their wheelbase lengths are the same), it’s probably better to think of it as midway between an C-segment Auris and an Avensis (to use other Toyotas as comparisons). Which is to say there’s ample room for four, and sufficient space for five. Front seat comfort is good with a handy storage area under the ‘bridge’ centre console, plus two useful gloveboxes. The front door pockets are small (think of them as bottle holders) but the 445-litre boot (seats up) is generously proportioned and features an underfloor stowage area. The whole cabin is light and airy with good comfort and space in the rear seats too.

72.4mpg too thirsty? Well, if you’re good enough you might match the 88.5mpg achieved on a variety of public roads by a journalist on the press launch I attended. More than half saw over 80mpg, although in the real world expect to see mpg in the mid 60s. Couple that with an 89g/km CO2 figure (£0 road tax for the foreseeable future) and the Prius becomes an even more tempting proposition. Furthermore, the new model is priced the same as the old – starting at £18,370 for the T3 rising to £21,210 for the T Spirit. That’s still far from cheap, but a plethora of innovative gadgetry and conveniences plus the prospect of owning the world’s most fuel-efficient family car, as well as one of the better looking, is tempting indeed.

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