Prius that’s fit for a prince

There are good things in life, then there are experiences money can’t buy.

A decade ago I watched the Monaco Grand Prix, won that year by Kimi Raikkonen in a McLaren-Mercedes, from the balcony of a luxury apartment directly level with the start/finish line.

The view was magnificent, matched only perhaps by that from the floor below where Prince Albert and his family sipped their cocktails.

Their arrival had been interesting. As vintage supercars and automotive exotica cruised through Monte Carlo pre-race, a Toyota Prius pulled up – and out hopped the prince.

There can be no finer endorsement for hybrid vehicles, but then they do make sense. And not just in mad busy places like Monaco.

If you don’t know how things work, well the Prius is capable of operating in petrol and electric modes alone as well as in a combination of both.

Called Hybrid Synergy Drive, the system comprises a 1.8-litre petrol engine, a powerful electric motor, a generator and a high performance battery.

From start-up and at speeds below 44mph, Prius automatically operates in EV mode, using electric motor power alone.

The petrol engine is supposedly only introduced under hard acceleration to boost system power, though in reality it doesn’t quite work out like that.

In fact anything but the lightest touch on the accelerator triggers the engine.

And while the ECO setting of the three drive modes – EV, ECO and Power – allows the potential for 70 miles per gallon – my own overall average was closer to 52mpg.

To be fair most of my driving was in the Power setting, essential if you want a dynamic driving experience.

I can’t say I’m a fan of the Prius’s shape; it’s just not really my style, but the car drives well, is comfortable and well kitted out.

With regard to space Toyota sticks to its “Outside Minimum, Inside Maximum” philosophy with a car that’s longer than its predecessor and has a wheelbase equal to a Toyota Avensis.

With the seats folded down there’s a flat load floor and 1,120 litres of space available – room enough to carry three golf bags.

Standard kit, especially on the upmarket T-Spirit version, is extensive, but to pick out a couple – you get a world-first combination of a solar powered ventilation system, which prevents cabin temperature from becoming too hot when the car is parked, and a remote control function that allows the air con to be switched on before getting into the vehicle.

It’s a fine car for the laid-back, environmentally responsible family driver – who isn’t in a hurry.