Prepare for a pause when you turn the key to start the engine; it acts as if it were waking up from a nap, and only reluctantly. There is nothing mechanically wrong, however; the engine fires up a split-second later and the monitor shows that all systems are go.

The Prius uses a continuously variable transmission, or CVT. So you never feel the familiar thump of an automatic tranny shifting gears. Instead, you feel only a steady and smooth stream of acceleration.

Because the 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine produces only 70 horsepower, the Prius is merely an adequate performer. Merging into faster-moving traffic isn't exactly nightmarish, but it isn't this car's specialty, either.

However, the Prius does just fine for handling the transportation chores that make up the majority of most people's driving duties: Accelerate to 40 mph, stop at the light, wait for it to turn green, and do it again. And with its near-silent power, seamless transmission, and good four-speaker stereo, the Prius creates a soothing environment, even when you're trapped in a heavy rush hour traffic.

What throws you off during your first drive is how the cabin goes silent when you come to a complete stop. Since the gas engine isn't needed, it shuts down. The silence is deafening and instinct causes you to think the engine had stalled. But of course it re-starts itself as soon as you take your foot off the brake. While you're sitting in traffic with the gas engine off, the Prius is producing no exhaust at all. It's also burning zero fuel. That's why the Prius gets its best mileage-per-gallon in city driving. The EPA estimates that the Prius is good for 619 miles of urban crawl between fuel stops.

The ride is typical for a small car: You're not jostled around too much going over bumps and freeway expansion joints, but neither is the ride as smooth as it would be in a larger car. Handling feels safe and secure, but not sporty.

Anti-lock brakes bring the Prius to a halt with little drama. The brakes feel a bit touchy at first, but they never grab too harshly.