Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius features a four-door hatchback body and can seat up to five people. The car's hybrid power train features a small 1.5-liter gasoline-fueled engine that's used in conjunction with two electric motors and a special planetary gear set that functions as a continuously variable transmission. The result is adequate power, high fuel economy and reduced tailpipe emissions.

Under full acceleration, both power sources work together to provide maximum oomph. But under lighter load conditions such as stop-and-go traffic, the Prius alternates between the two, often running on battery power alone. A regenerative braking system converts energy normally lost as heat into electricity to charge the car's battery pack. The gas engine produces 76 horsepower and 82 pound-feet of torque, while the electric motors generate the equivalent of 67 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque.