GREENMACHINE; Toyota's Prius saves gas and cuts emissions, but there is a price.(News)

Byline: ANDREW LUU

Immediately after the first drives in our long-term Prius, the car's interior garnered praise for its spacious design and comfortable accom- modations. We also lauded the hatchback design that makes cargo hauling a cinch. "This car is like a mini-minivan,'' one editor said, and a few have even set their sights on the Prius for future road trips.

Our staff voices mixed views on the driving experience, though. "It handles pretty well,'' one editor proclaimed, "for a five-year-old minivan.'' At the same time, our logbook is filled with statements such as, "I'm liking it more all the time'' and "This is the perfect car for running errands and driving kids to baseball practice.'' And while doing those family duties, the hybrid powertrain is, "Plenty fast enough in the stop-and-go, and happy to cruise at 80 mph.''

With the electric motor adding 295 lb-ft of torque (between 0 and 1200 rpm) to the 1.5-liter's measly 82 lb-ft, the Prius softens criticism that hybrids are too slow. We find the car gets up to speed easily, at least from 0 to 50 mph.

The regenerative brakes provide firm feedback, but the low-rolling-resistance tires, while good for fuel economy, handicap the car's handling. Push the Prius into a corner and its Michelins scream for mercy. One driver learned firsthand that slim rubber and standing water make for a bad combination: Caught in a thunderstorm, he found the car easily hydroplaned across drenched patches of highway.

We still question the practical value of the push-button starter that took some getting used to, and the staff is split on the Prius' styling. ...