Couldn't concentrate at work so I took another quick test spin, and tested the DVD and the traction control (a little). I'm warming up to this car. It's a different experience to drive and you need to relearn how you communicate with it. It seems to like normal (slow) acceleration and then letting of the gas for just a second. Doing that normally leaves you cruising for quite a distance in "yellow arrow" mode (i.e batteries only. Accelerating using EV mode is almost out of the question but maintaining works great. Finding that sweet spot for gliding also seems to work as the weight of the prius makes it glide long.

It handles like a heavy car and the suspension is too soft yet the simple rear axle makes it a litte bumpy. It feel like a SUV at times. I think the Rav4 would make a sweet hybrid (maybe a cross between the prius and the rav4 would be ideal). I am getting more impressed by the sound level. It is a quiet car, probably more quiet then my maxima but not as quiet as a luxury car. I still can't believe how good it feels standing at red lights with no engine on. I'm sure that doesn't really save that much gas but still it's sweet.

The ABS and Traction Control seem quite good. I didn't push it but at lower speed it def could break suprisingly well on snow and I couldn't force it into a skid. This is one of the main reason I'm trading my car as my current car doesn't have ABS something I consider cruisal (and I did a mistake buying a car w.o. it).

I'm also getting more comfortable with the rearview mirror. Though the top end is low you can actually see quiet well backwards. Same for side views. It's not bad, it just felt strange to begin with. I still haven't paralell parked this thing. I also wonder what if any value the rearview camera in the 06 has.

Having this ride for 24 hours is probably a good thing as it allows me to get a real good feel for the car.

The DVD navigation system is good and the display/voice seem accurate. I do miss that 3D view that Garmin I5 gives. I like that you can switch between the map and the hybrid info from the steering wheel as I still like to see what the arrows are doing.

/Robert