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Fourth-generation Prius promises yet-better eco credentials and a new dose of driving appeal. We find out if it delivers

What is it?

Toyota's Prius once seemed such a futuristic machine, and the green baggage it carried made it the darling of the planet-saving classes. But through 18 years and three generations it has gone almost mainstream, and mini-cabbers like no car better. Now meet Prius version 4.0, recognisably Prius-shaped but longer, lower, wider and sportier.

That sounds like a standard set of evolutionary steps for a new model, but they're slightly unexpected for a pious-minded Prius. The fact that the driver's hip point has dropped a hefty 59mm doesn't sound right for a car whose owners to date equate driving enjoyment with adultery or worse, and who favour a good view forward over a feeling of one-ness with the machine.

But the intention this time is not only to snare existing owners who will be thrilled about the new one's 70g/km CO2 score, bigger boot space and enhanced refinement, but also to attract new converts who will discover a Prius that drives like no other before it.

This is the first Toyota to be built with the Toyota New Global Architecture set of platform components. Its particular combination of ingredients is called GA-C; it brings a structure 60% torsionally stiffer than the old car's, a new rear suspension that's a hybrid of double wishbones and trailing arms, and that lower-slung architecture.

Petrol-fuelled power still comes from a 1.8-litre engine running on the high-economy Atkinson cycle, but it now features a two-level cooling system, which restricts flow during the now-quicker warm-up, when the coolant is further heated by exhaust gas.

There's an electric water pump, too, and other refinements that together give the engine a thermal efficiency of 40%, claimed to be the highest ever for a production engine. The hybrid drive's CVT transmission is smaller and lighter, and the two electric motors working with it have a greater speed range, which makes the Prius up to 14% more efficient at high speeds.

Other numbers include 20% less power loss in the transmission, an electrical inverter that's 30% smaller, and a new nickel-metal hydride battery pack that's 10% smaller - it now lives under the back seat, allowing full hatchback versatility - and the ability to take 28% more charge per unit of time.

What's it like?

Visually it's like a smaller, calmer version of the Mirai fuel-cell car. Beautiful it is not, but it's certainly striking with its steeply-rising waistline, blacked-in rear pillars and spiky light designs. Slippery, too, with a Cd of just 0.24. An automatic shutter for the lower front air intake helps here.

Inside, that lower hip point doesn't compromise the view forward because the scuttle is lowered even more. Ahead of you is a smooth facia with the usual Prius central instrument display below the windscreen, while the centre stack fronts the padded crash roll and houses a large TFT multimedia display.

Below sits the transmission selector in imitation transparent-blue carbonfibre, and trimmings in piano black and satin white give an air of calm. Most surfaces that you'd hope to be padded are, except in the base model. This feels quite an upmarket car now.

There's plenty of headroom under that rounded roof, plus ample rear leg room and a decent boot. So far, so worthy, but the surprise comes when you drive it. Toyota's promise of an involving, entertaining drive rings as true here as it didn't with the deeply disappointing Lexus CT200h.

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The 121bhp powertrain responds vigorously from low speeds, helped by the greater slug of electric motor assistance; it will even spin its wheels in Power mode. Eco mode equates to the old one's Normal, while the new Normal is lively enough to suit most of the time. The engine revs still shoot upwards in typical CVT fashion when you accelerate, but not as much as before and the rev rise is now matched by a pace rise. The engine feels properly connected to the wheels.

This connectedness continues with the steering, which is precise, quick and credibly weighted. It's the gateway to tidy, fluent handling that even allows a touch of line-tightening when you throttle-off. The Prius is stable in a crosswind, it rides with well-damped suppleness and it cruises quietly. And the transition from regenerative to friction braking is imperceptible.

Should I buy one?

You probably should. It will be offered in four trim levels: Active, Business Edition, Business Edition Plus and Excel, starting at £23,295 and peaking at £27,450. Sat nav is standard on the upper two, while a wireless phone charger and the expected suite of today's safety gear and self-parking systems also inhabit the equipment and price lists. The upper two have 17in wheels and a 6g/km CO2 penalty, but you can insist on the 15in wheels and get £400 back

Real-world economy will of course be worse than the claimed 94.1mpg official average on 15s, but the Prius will still be a very frugal city driver. And this Prius is the first one able to tow a trailer (up to 725 kg).

This is a Prius better in every way than its predecessors, then, which clears the old one's fog between you and the major controls and borders on being fun to drive. Who'd have thought it?

Toyota Prius Excel

Location Valencia, Spain; On sale Now; Price £27,450; Engine 4 cyls, 1798cc, petrol plus two electric motor/generators; Combined power 121bhp; Gearbox CVT automatic; Kerb weight 1400kg; 0-62mph 10.6sec; Top speed 112mph; Economy 94.1mpg (15in wheels) or 85.6mpg (17in wheels) combined; CO2/tax band 70 or 76g/km, 9 or 13%

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BertoniBertone 15 February 2016

Toyota and style/oil & water ?

Does it have to be this controversially polarising when Japan's arch enemy (aka the Koreans) can produce the new Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro with looks that are widely more appealing. Such a shame when the tech is now looking more and more sensible....

Wilfully odd styling always back-fires in the end....

Matt A 11 February 2016

Ugly duckling?

Its ugly at fast glance on the outside, but in a strange way then grows on me. The interior though is just plain ugly, and as that is where the owner would spend time, its not for me.
madmac 11 February 2016

What Cabbies? I have seen

What Cabbies? I have seen none in London,and Vancouver cabbies hate them but are forced to use them,the consumption at the speeds they have to maintain is horrendous,so they tell me.There are none here in the north as they freeze in the winter and won't go.Colleague of mine gave hers up for a Rav 4.When the batteries go it is huge cost to replace ,you may as well throw it away [the car]
Clarkey 12 February 2016

I suspect they meant London,

I suspect they meant London, England, where there are huge numbers of Prius minicabs. Do you consider battery replacement at about £800 such a huge cost that you would throw away the car? Especially considering the very low rate of failure.

Mine does a motorway commute every day at typical motorway speeds and has averaged 56mpg over 103,000 miles.