Toyota Prius

It's time to say farewell to our long-term Prius. It's been here for a year with no mechanical faults whatsoever, and has proved to befrugal, low-emission, comfortable transportation. On the downside, it was never thrilling to drive.

But the TG office has proved I think that it isn't composed purely of hardcore speed nutters; the Prius has been generally liked for its eco-friendly nature and, perhaps, its novelty.

On the open road it'll average 4.4L/100km. In cold weather, though,keeping the aircon on high brings the car's efficiency down.

Trying to turn off the aircon to save fuel meant that the inside steamed up badly - and I couldn't clear it with the normal heating.

A minor panic occurred last week, when my partner and baby were stuck away from home with a flat battery and I wasn't sure whether I could use the hybrid electric Prius to jump-start their car. So I had to borrow the TG Golf and rush off to their rescue. Now Toyota tells me I could have used the Prius after all. D'oh!

As long as you've no ambitions to be a boy/girl racer, the Prius is comfy, pleasant enough to drive, practical for a small family and even quite handsome. Plus you don't pay the Congestion Charge which, as such schemes spread, will be great selling point.

Daniel Palmer