Free Republic

DETROIT -- The world's first commercially mass-produced hybrid car has claimed the honor of 2004 Car of the Year from Motor Trend magazine. What helped drive the Toyota Prius to become Motor Trend magazine's 2004 Car of the Year? Great fuel economy -- up to 60 miles a gallon in the city. Editor-in-chief Kevin Smith describes the Prius as "a capable, comfortable, fun-to-drive car that just happens to get spectacular fuel economy." The newest version of the Toyota Prius, introduced in 1997, beat out 26 new or significantly reengineered models from car makers like Acura, BMW, Cadillac and Volkswagen. The...

<p>Toyota's 2004 Prius gas-electric hybrid sedan, on sale since late October at some dealerships and coming soon to others, has more room than the previous-generation Prius, more features, better fuel economy, more power — and the same price.</p> <p>As a hybrid, it uses both an electric motor and a gasoline engine. Toyota uses the electric motor as long as possible before kicking in the gas engine for help.</p>