2010 Toyota Prius

So you'd think that, after uncovering several chinks in the Insight's presentation -- and next to none in the Prius's -- we'd have ourselves an easy default winner here. Well, yes, the 2010 Toyota Prius definitively retains its crown as king of the hybrids. It's a profoundly impressive car, perhaps the densest concentration of engineering virtuosity on the road today. If you can afford it, buy it.

The world's best hybrid has become more solid and refined, yet has somehow upped its fuel economy as well. It's an engineering triumph for the textbooks.

Interior accoutrements move upmarket. A multi-information display panel that monitors fuel and energy consumption is standard. It provides feedback on the Toyota Prius' efficiency using three different displays to help the driver acquire economical driving habits.

The Prius interior is not what you'd call luxurious, but it still represents an upgrade over the previous car's and is certainly roomier and more plush than the cabin of the new Honda Insight.

Let's be clear. The 2010 Toyota Prius has not been transformed into a sport sedan, but it's no longer a penalty box to drive. And, like it or not, we're all on a long journey away from internal-combustion and toward electric vehicles, so any progress made toward building some fun into this new generation of vehicles is to be applauded.

The 2010 Toyota Prius cabin is roomy and thoughtfully arranged, but its ambience is intentionally low-rent. Noncontact surfaces are as unyielding as granite. The shades-of-gray molded plastic has a grainy texture not found in nature. Seats, elbow pads, and roof surfaces are trimmed in mouse fur. The low-nap carpets and floor mats deserve accommodation from the recycled materials council. This is a Toyota for ascetics, not a low-consumption Lexus.

The first hybrid to achieve commercial success showed up with a redesigned, more efficient Hybrid Synergy Drive System, as well as a fresh face and interior. Toyota wisely left its now-iconic profile unchanged. Inside, the centrally positioned instrument panel is a bit higher tech, while the rest of the 2010 Toyota Prius dash takes on even more of a science-fiction feel. It remains to be seen whether these evolutionary improvements, coupled with unmatched brand-equity, will be enough to fend off stiff new competition.

The new engine uses electric power steering and water pumps, both of which are said to increase efficiency (and help eliminate the need for accessory belts). Like the 2010 Lexus RX450h, the new 2010 Toyota Prius still uses Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive, but a compact transaxle and a smaller transaxle reduce weight by twenty percent. The presence of a few electronic goodies - like a solar-powered remote air conditioning system and LED exterior lighting - are also said to help reduce the Toyota Prius' thirst for fuel. Of course, if you're looking for the best fuel economy, you'll want to engage EV-Drive Mode, one of three driver-selectable drivetrain modes. EV-Drive allows the 2010 Toyota Prius to run solely on electric power for approximately one mile, while a Power mode increases the throttle sensitivity - potentially a blessing on highway on-ramps. We're betting most will simply leave the car in "Eco mode," which reportedly helps the Toyota Prius attain the best mileage possible.