problem. The Prizm has a low liftover and the trunk is large and long.
Visibility is good all around. The roof pillars are small and unobtrusive, and the
windows are large.
As you'd expect from a Toyota (even one wearing a GM badge), interior fit and
finish are excellent and the choice of materials is solid, if uninspiring.
The instrument panel has a generic sort of look to it, but its gauges are large
and easy to read. Remember, this is an entry-level model, so almost everything is an
option. That includes the tachometer, something you may find useful if you stick with
the manual transmission that comes as standard equipment.
With the LSi, the model we tested, you'll get several other nice and very useful
touches, including a tilt steering wheel and a center console. There are plenty of
other options to dress up the otherwise Plain Jane interior, including the
surprisingly popular leather seat package.
The LSi's cloth seats (as distinct from vinyl in the base car) are treated with
Scotchgard, something parents with young children will appreciate. And they'll like
the optional built-in child safety seats, too.
Ergonomics, on the whole, are good, aside from the awkward location of the radio.
It's not only positioned down and out of the way, but recessed an inch into the dash.
And the volume knob has been moved to a point that we found almost impossible to reach
without leaning way out of the driver's seat.
The audio quality was quite good with our optional CD player package--significantly
better than the standard LSi sound system.
If safety is a serious concern--and it seems to be for most motorists these
days--the Prizm meets contemporary standards. Dual airbags are standard equipment, as
are daytime running lights, a feature GM plans to install on all its models. Antilock
brakes are optional, but we'd recommend them.
We took delivery of our Prizm on one of the coldest days of a very cold winter, so
we can say with assurance that the heating system is world class. Next Page