The result for me was an overall 41.5 mpg, according to the on-board computer, which is pretty decent for a midsize vehicle. I’m sure I could do better with practice, plus my usual heavy right foot was busy testing out the Toyota’s performance as well as its economy.

There's plenty of room for luggage and sports gear behind the back seat. (Photo: Toyota)

Toyota’s latest Hybrid Synergy Drive system actually uses two electric motors, a large 60kw unit for power and a smaller motor for electric power. The battery pack is nickel-metal hydride.

The regenerative brakes that help add electricity to the battery pack are effective but feel kind of weird, almost disconnected. They do work, though, once you get used to the odd sensation. The electric power steering is responsive but light and numb.

The dashboard is a high-tech array of computer functions for keeping track of mileage and hybrid functions as well as the usual climate/navigation/audio business, displayed on a large six-inch video screen. The system seems complicated at first but it’s easy to get used to. I liked the small shifter setup in the upper console that was simple to manipulate and felt different enough to remind you that Prius is a bit different from regular cars.

The Prius V's high-tech dashboard comes wtih a wide array of standard features. (Photo: Toyota)

Prius V is a bit more expensive than similar gas-only vehicle in the same class, but it comes with plenty of standard features. It could take years of careful driving to regain the extra outlay, although with $4-per-gallon-plus gas prices, it wouldn’t take as long as it used to. Plus, every day you get a psychic dividend of not having to fill up on gas so often.

Prius V comes standard with a load of convenience and safety features that makes its $29,990 base price, plus $760 shipping, not so onerous. The test car also came with the optional Advance Technology Package with a mountain of desirable features for $5,580, including navigation, premium audio, voice recognition and text-to-speech programming, Bluetooth, dynamic cruise control, parking-guidance system, a giant moonroof, and a number of safety-notification services in the event of a collision.

All in, the Prius V tester car came to $36,622, including a couple other minor options, for a well-equipped premium vehicle that’s great on gas, reduces polluting emissions and has plenty of room inside. Whether you are ultimately saving money as well as saving gas becomes somewhat irrelevant.

Details

Vehicle type: Five-passenger, four-door hatchback, front-wheel drive.
Power train: 1.8-liter inline-4, 98 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, 105 pound-feet of torque at 4,000 rpm; electric motor, 80 horsepower (60kw), 153 pound-feet of continuous torque.
Transmission: Continuously variable.
Battery pack: Nickel-metal hydride.
Wheelbase: 109.4 inches.
Overall length: 181.7 inches.
Curb weight: 3,274 pounds.
EPA mileage rating: 44 city, 40 highway.

Bob Golfen, Automotive Editor for SPEED.com, is a veteran auto writer based in Phoenix, Arizona, with a passion for collector cars, car culture and the automotive lifestyle. SPEED.com fans can email Bob Golfen at