Toyota, along with Honda, is one of the few manufacturers
to offer a fully-functional hybrid car that isn't restricted
to concept status, or as a dream in the head of an engineer.
If only other companies would follow the Japanese duo's
lead in the matter…
Thanks to a combination gas engine/electric motor setup,
the 2004 Toyota Prius gets incredible gas mileage without
needing any annoying recharging. You see, environmental
responsibility doesn't have to take place at the expense
of convenience.
If you're still content to debate this, consider the 2004
Toyota Prius. Newly remodeled, it is bigger, stronger and
more fuel efficient than ever. It has more standard features,
gets up to speed quicker and saves more money at the gas
pumps.
Three cheers to Toyota engineers.
Available Models
The 2004 Toyota Prius is offered in one base trim.
Interior Features
A bigger car means more interior room. The four-door 2004
Toyota Prius continues to seat five, but does so with more
ease than before. 16.1 cubic feet of cargo volume are offered.
The standard features list includes alloy wheels, air conditioning
with automatic climate control, a tilt steering wheel with
radio and climate controls and an AM/FM/CD player.
The Toyota Prius remodeling includes new options. For example,
the optional navigation system adds voice recognition and
a larger dashboard touchscreen.
Exterior Features
The full specs of the Prius' growth spurt: the hybrid car
is 6.9 inches longer in wheelbase, 6.3 inches longer overall,
1.2 inches taller, nearly 2 inches wider and 125 lbs heavier.
Performance
The 2004 Toyota Prius uses an innovative 1.5-liter inline
4-cylinder engine coupled with an electric motor/battery
pack. The two supply power separately or together, with
sensors determining the most-efficient method in terms of
fuel consumption and power requirement. Now that's smart.
For 2004, the gas engine gains 6 horsepower, pushing the
total to 133. The engine has 76 horsepower at 4500 rpm and
82 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm, while the electric motor
gets 67 horsepower at 1200 rpm and 295 lb-ft of torque at
0-1200 rpm.
A continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) is
used by the Prius. It has near-infinite gear ratios rather
than traditional gears. In addition, new "by-wire"
electronics replace the mechanical linkages for the accelerator
and shifter.
Drum roll please…the 2004 Toyota Prius has a fuel
rating of 60/55 mpg (city/highway).
Safety and Security
Standard features include traction control, dual front airbags,
antilock brakes with brake assist and an emergency inside
trunk release. Front side airbags, curtain side airbags
and an antiskid system are optional.
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Car Reviews
2004
Toyota Prius - Specs
2004
Toyota Prius - Price Quote
