Consumer Reports magazine has just selected Toyota Prius as the best overall value. The hybrid car has the best economic value for mileage with the average cost registering at 47 cents per mile. Considering the price is $29,230, this vehicle option is hard to beat. According to Consumer Reports Automotive Editor Rik Paul, “Prius’ 44 (m.p.g.) overall is the best fuel economy of any non-plug-in car that Consumer Reports has tested. Though it’s not particularly cheap to buy, the Prius’ depreciation is so low that it costs less to own over the first five years than its initial (price). We call that a bargain.”

According to the Toyota website, the Prius offers multiple unique safety features including: Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System, Lane Keep Assist, and a Vehicle Proximity Notification System.

In the unfortunate event of a collision, the vehicle is equipped with additional capabilities to protect passengers. According to the Toyota website: “Working in concert with the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) 26, the available Pre-Collision System (PCS) 25 employs the vehicle’s radar system to determine if a frontal collision is imminent. If so, the system automatically applies the brakes and retracts the front seatbelts to prepare for such a scenario.”

The “Lane Keep Assist” function serves an important use. “If an inadvertent lane departure is detected, the available Lane Keep Assist (LKA) issues an audible warning and displays a warning on the instrument panel. And when Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) 26 is engaged, LKA 27 is designed to help keep Prius in its lane by providing gentle corrective steering when necessary.”

In addition to protecting those within the car, the “Vehicle Proximity Notification System” alerts individuals outside (such as pedestrians and bicyclists) through a mechanical sound regarding the approaching motor vehicle.

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