2005 Toyota Prius New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2005 Toyota Prius?
For 2005, the Toyota Prius receives a standard rear intermittent wiper and the sun visor material is switched from vinyl to cloth. No other changes are in store for the 2005 Toyota Prius.

Advantages of the 2005 Toyota Prius:

• Contains the most sophisticated hybrid technology on the market
• Comfortable and roomy enough for five adults
• Copious cargo space and utility
• Environmentally conscious purchase lets you sleep peacefully at night
• 55 mpg while commuting in traffic – no kidding

Objections to the 2005 Toyota Prius:

• Aside from smug factor and watching battery recharge history on distracting center screen, not much fun to drive
• Engine starting and gear selection is unnecessarily difficult
• Off-putting design keeps Prius firmly trapped in quirky nether regions of the automotive marketplace
• Long waiting lists at dealers
• Dealer markup is sometimes excessive, making traditional gas-engine PZEV vehicles mighty attractive

Editor's Advice:
Proving that there is something new under the sun, the 2005 Toyota Prius ushers Americans into a new era in powertrain technology. Yes, the original Prius sedan showcased the same hybrid engine expertise that allowed it to sip precious fossil fuels and limit noxious emissions, but that initial effort was hampered by anemic acceleration and packaging compromises. This Toyota Prius, sold in hatchback form, may still look polemic to some, but with generous seating for five, decent get-up-and-go, and an impressively capacious cargo space, it has caught on in a major way, producing long waiting lists at most dealers. For those requiring Point A to Point B transportation, there are few logical reasons to spend $20,000 on any other vehicle that will be used solely for commuting to the office, to the grocery store and to the mall. And for those who are concerned with gas prices, as well as the future health of the planet, that is a very good thing. Trouble is, dealers want more than sticker for the Toyota Prius, which makes less expensive, PZEV-rated vehicles like the Ford Focus much more appealing.