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Hyped and seek

I am thinking of buying a 2nd hand Toyota Prius but almost all the driving I do is on the motoway - usually between London and Wales. I have been driving an old SAAB 900 automatic, which I need to get rid of but the car is fantastic on the motorway, though very thirsty. I really want to make sure that I but a good automatic car which is good on the mpg but which also has the kind of performance that I am used to which makes this commute viable. I am particularly concerned about acceleration and speed. I usually do a steady 75-80 on the motorway. And acceleration is easy. Is a Prius OK from this point of view and will it use less or more petrol on a run? I'm confused.

Asked on 10 April 2010 by V.W., via e-mail

Answered by Honest John
A hybrid has advantages over a diesel in city centres and in
hilly areas where it sometimes runs on electricity alone and where its
regeneration system works effectively. You won't get any solo electric running or much regeneration on a motorway, so a diesel is more efficient there. Get stuck in a very slow stop-start motorway traffic jam, though, and the hybrid will run electric. A Prius will do about 45mpg at 75-80.

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Much better than the original. An enjoyable, practical, safe, economical hybrid. Looks good, too. Prius Taxis have run to 400,000 miles plus with very little trouble.