2010 Toyota Prius Hybrid

The 2010 Toyota Prius is redesigned with freshened styling, more power, higher EPA fuel-economy figures, and a host of newly standard and optional features.

This gas/electric hybrid is a five-passenger, 4-door hatchback that teams a 4-cylinder engine with a battery-powered electric motor and a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Toyota's hybrid system allows Prius to run on one or both of its power sources to balance acceleration and fuel economy. No plug-in charging is required.

Four models are available at launch, called II, III, IV, and V; an entry-level I is due to be added later.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. The V model has LED headlights, fog lights, and 17-inch alloy wheels vs the 15s on other models.

Newly available features include an adjustable-height driver seat, heated front seats, telescopic steering column, and, later in the year, Toyota's Safety Connect assistance system. Also newly offered are some high-end features usually found only on vehicles sold by Toyota's Lexus division, including adaptive cruise control, Lane Keep Assist with lane-departure warning, and Intelligent Parking Assist that provides hands-free parallel parking.

Other new options include a solar roof panel that can power a ventilating fan when the car is parked, and electric air conditioning that can be turned on for up to three minutes to cool down the interior before getting in.