Toyota’s funky hybrid steps deeper into the mainstream.

#7. The 2010 Prius drives less like a hybrid and more like a traditional car.

With a total output of 134 horsepower, this hybrid isn't exactly a rocket, but with a good goose of the throttle, you won't have any trouble merging into traffic and cruising stress-free in the passing lane. Due to the gas engine's tendency to shut down at slow speeds, there's still a bit of a delay when asking the Prius to sprint from a dead stop, but many of the car's other hybrid-related idiosyncrasies have been dialed down. The regenerative braking system, for example, has been improved, so drivers won't feel as though the brakes are frequently being gently applied. We tested the hybrid system's four modes – EV, Economy, Power, and Normal – and, not surprisingly, found Normal to be the best choice for daily commuting. EV mode only operates at slow speeds, after which the gas engine kicks in. Economy mode swaps readily-available performance for improved mpg, and Power mode offers the greatest throttle response by putting every bit of those 134 horses under the driver's right foot.

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