The 2011 Toyota Prius is big enough to be considered a midsize car and yet employs a full hybrid powertrain, meaning that it can run on the engine alone, battery alone or a combination of both as needed.
There are three driver-selectable drive modes for the 2011 Prius: EV, Eco and Power. All are accessible from the center console by the push of a button. EV Drive uses battery power alone at low speeds. Eco Drive is designed to give you the best possible mileage using a combination of gas and electric power. The engine utilizes no belts under the hood, resulting in better fuel economy and less potential maintenance.
The 2011 Prius is available in four different trims: Two, Three, Four and Five. Each have different standard equipment and a varying selection of exterior and interior features.
Standard exterior features on all trims include power heated side mirrors, Smart Key entry system, projector-beam headlamps with auto-off, rear window defogger with intermittent wiper, rear deck spoiler, XM Satellite Radio-ready components and High Solar Energy Absorbing glass.
Standard interior features include tilt and telescoping steering wheel controls and a state-of-the-art Multi-information Display with energy monitor, fuel consumption history, hybrid system indicator, odometer, central instrument display, digital speedometer, instant fuel consumption information, fuel gauge and shift-lever indicator. Also standard are air conditioning, power windows and doors, cruise control, 60/40 split rear seats and 12-volt outlets. The standard audio system is an AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3/WMA playback capability, auxiliary audio mini-jack, six speakers and satellite capability
Standard safety equipment includes advanced driver and front passenger Supplemental Restraint System airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags, driver and passenger seat-mounted side airbags, driver's knee airbags and active headrests. Antilock brakes with Brake Assist, Electronic Brake Distribution, electronic traction control and Vehicle Stability Control are all included with Toyota's standard Star Safety System. Also included are side-impact door beams, front and rear energy-absorbing crumple zones, 3-point front seatbelts with pre-tensioners and force limiters, 3-point seatbelts in all five seating positions, child protector rear door locks and adjustable front seatbelt shoulder anchors.
The 2011 Prius Two is the standard base model. Prius Three adds a JBL AM/FM stereo and CD changer that also features integrated XM satellite radio and MP3/WMA playback. Prius Four adds an enhanced 3-door Smart Key system, leather-trimmed interior, heated front seats with driver lumbar support, step lamp for illuminated entry and auto-dimming mirror. The Prius Five includes 17-inch alloy wheels, LED headlamps with auto-leveling washers and fog lamps.
The Navigation Package is available on Prius models Three, Four and Five and includes a voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system as well as a backup camera. The Solar Roof Package, available only in Prius models Three and Four, includes all items in the Navigation Package, plus a power tilt/slide moonroof with a solar-powered ventilation system and a remote air conditioning system. The Advanced Technology Package, available only in Prius model Five, includes everything in the Navigation Package plus Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Keep Assist, which helps the driver stay safely within the lane, Pre-Collision System, which retracts seatbelts and applies the brakes in certain conditions when a crash is unavoidable, and an Advanced Parking Guidance System, which features simplified settings to help guide the car into parking spaces.
Safety Connect, Toyota's first safety and security service, includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator and an SOS call button.
The 2011 Prius will be available in seven exterior colors: Blizzard Pearl, Sandy Beach Metallic, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Winter Gray Metallic, Classic Silver Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic and Black. They can be mated to three interior colors: Misty Gray, Dark Gray and Bisque. All three interior colors are available in both fabric and leather.
Having been completely redesigned for the 2010 model year, the Prius returns unchanged for 2011. Black exterior paint can now be ordered with Bisque interior. Last year's Intelligent Parking System has been renamed Advanced Parking Guidance System, or APGS. In addition, previous Roman numeral identification between Prius models has been dropped in favor of 'one' through 'four' to help limit some confusion.
The 2011 Prius has been built with reduced environmental impact in every way. The 2011 Prius will again be certified as a Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV) and an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (ATPZEV) in California. It will produce over 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new vehicle.
Plant-derived, carbon-neutral plastics are utilized in the seat cushion foam, cowl side trim, inner and outer scuff plates and deck trim cover. The use of aluminum and super high-tensile steel throughout the vehicle reduce the weight by almost 20 percent over the last generation model, which has enhanced fuel efficiency and performance even further.
