Nowadays everyone from actors to politicians is driving them so it seems strange to remind ourselves that at its launch the success of the Toyota Prius was far from assured. Back in 2000 the hybrid car, driven by a combination of petrol and battery power, was viewed as something of a niche item with only the most ardent of greenies feeling their pulses quicken as they cast their eyes over the rather dumpy bodywork.

Seven years on, with a change of body shape, an increase in power and in a world now obsessing over green issues, the Prius has come of age. Even secondhand it is much sought after, making it one of the most frugal cars on the market in terms of depreciation as well as fuel consumption.

Its efficiency comes from the fact that it combines a modest 1.5 litre petrol engine producing 76bhp with a 50kW electric motor that provides 67bhp. Even more impressive is the electric motor’s potential to deliver up to 295 lb ft of torque, endowing the car with decent acceleration and the capacity to run under near silent electric power at low speed.

If you have never driven an electric car, pulling away in a Prius for the first time is an eerie sensation. There is almost no engine noise, seamless acceleration and no need for a rev counter because all the power is immediately available.

As your speed increases or you demand more acceleration the petrol engine supplements the electric motor and kicks into life. At cruising speeds the Prius tends to run on petrol power alone, recharging the battery as it goes and recovering additional energy through regenerative braking where energy shed while applying the brakes is used to recharge the battery. All this happens without the need for any button pressing so you can sit back and enjoy the ride.

The net result is that Toyota claims the Prius will achieve a combined cycle economy figure of 65.7mpg and although most owners report rather less flattering figures in the high fifties it is still pretty good for a hatchback that can seat five and carry a decent amount of luggage.

But while fuel economy is a great attraction, for many buyers it’s the Prius’s exemption from the London congestion charge that has been its greatest asset. With the news that such charging will almost certainly become more commonplace in UK cities it seems reasonable to assume the appeal of the Prius and other hybrids will grow.

On the road, the Prius drives well, its chassis tuned more for comfort than sporty handling. The electric power steering feels a little light and lacks feedback but in town it is perfectly acceptable. Engage the stubby dash-mounted gearlever into drive and the auto gearbox does a good job of managing the power and torque delivered by the petrol and electric energy sources; only under hard acceleration does the transmission sound a little whiny.

Equipment levels are more than adequate; entry level T3 models come with electric windows and door mirrors, climate control and a CD player. For around £500 more a secondhand T4 adds a multidisc CD player and cruise control, while the top spec T Spirit has the excellent touchscreen DVD-based sat nav system with voice recognition and a Bluetooth interface for your phone. At around £1,000 more than the T4, the Spirit commands a hefty premium on the secondhand market but try the sat nav and you will probably be able to justify the extra cash.

With the Prius being a technical tour de force some secondhand buyers may be concerned about the potential repair costs. However, with more than 1m hybrid sales worldwide, Toyota claims only a handful of battery packs and electric motors have been replaced and is so confident that it provides an eight-year/100,000-mile warranty on all the hybrid components.

This car may be only the start of the hybrid revolution, but look at the face of a Prius driver next time you see one sitting in traffic: the chances are they will be smiling – quietly – to themselves for more than one good reason.

Tail-lights
LED tail-lights illuminate up to 10 times faster than traditional brake lights, helping to avoid rear-end shunts by warning following drivers of heavy braking more quickly

Safety
The Prius received the maximum five stars for adult occupancy in the Euro NCAP crash tests and post2004 models come with eight airbags that include front, side and curtain airbags

Technology
Optional parking assist system, available on the T Spirit model only, uses touchscreen display and rear camera to automate parking

Steering wheel
Multiple controls on the wheel operate stereo, cruise control and phone system

Starting
Depress the brake pedal and turn the ignition to start the electric motor – though with silent running you can be left confused as to whether you have actually done anything

Gearstick
Stubby dash-mounted gearstick operates automatic transmission

Congestion charge
The Prius is exempt but owners must register it for an annual fee of £10 (see www.cclondon.com/exemptions.shtml or call 0845 900 1234)

Vital statistics

Model Toyota Prius 1.5 VVT-i Spirit
Engine 1497cc, four cylinders
Power 76bhp (petrol), 67bhp (electric)
Transmission Continuously variable auto
Fuel 65.7mpg (combined cycle)
Acceleration 0-62mph: 10.9sec
Top speed 106mph

The one to buy

A 2004 04 Toyota Prius 1.5 VVT-i T Spirit with 40,000 miles. Pay £12,650 at a dealer, £11,500 privately

Values

Mileage 10,000 20,000 40,000

2004 04
Trade £12,600 £12,000 £10,800
Retail £14,450 £13,850 £12,650

2005 05
Trade £14,000 £13,300 £12,000
Retail £15,850 £15,150 £13,850

2006 06
Trade £15,600 £14,800 £13,550
Retail £17,495 £16,695 £15,450

Or for similar money

2004 04 BMW 320d SE auto
2004 04 Jaguar X-type 2.0d SE
2006 06 Vauxhall Vectra 1.9CDTi Elite
2006 06 Honda Civic 2.2i CTDi S
2006 06 VW Golf 1.9 TDI Sport 130bhp