Cars.com has this overview of the second-gen Prius. Amazingly enough, the car is longer and wider (qualifying as a mid-size sedan) and gets even better fuel mileage than the previous generation Prius. How is this possible? Lots of nifty technology tricks, including more computerized control of the vehicle’s braking system as well as powering more components off the battery instead of the engine.

This is not the hybrid I would buy. But it’s a great second step for Toyota. They intend to follow this with Toyota and Lexus SUVs featuring the same kind of hybrid technology, but what I’m waiting for is a fourth generation MR2 that looks as beautiful as the second generation MR2, weighs 250 lbs less, and puts out the equivalent of 180 hp while getting in excess of 40 mpg under extreme conditions.