Toyota Prius CVT Review

Good Points
Obviously emissions and the fuel economy, the quality of the drive brings back some fun and the now expected toyota quirkiness

Bad Points
Sometimes its just TOO quiet, utterly silent! and forget trying to see out of the back window 'cos you can't

General Comments
My initial reticence to even sit in this vehicle (because lets face it, the Toyota Prius CVT family car looks weird) was replaced almost immediately by a huge childlike grin at the sense of fun and doing something new. At low speeds the car is powered by its electric motor so no noise, nothing, its like a bumper car but on steroids because the acceleration in this 1.5 litre is top notch, then the transition to the diesel engine is almost seamless. It handles very well even though it is one of them there wire driven things. Its does start to get noisy over sixty, and over seventy it feels less an extension of the driver and more like an animal that has to be reigned in.

On the downside one feels a degree removed from the car, as if it is not really responding to your driving but simply allowing itself to be taken by you until it gets bored, and the quietness has obvious safety issues in built up areas / school runs!

All in all a hugely enjoyable ride that reminds you of the days when driving was new and fresh and FUN.