Testing gas mileage is a funny thing. The outcome on your window sticker may not bear any relationship to what you get, it depends on how, when, and where you drive. This seems too happened with Toyota, which modified its gas mileage figures for the forthcoming 2010 Toyota Prius. The overall rating of 50 miles per gallon stays as is, but the city mileage rises from 50 to 51 mpg, while the highway mileage falls from 49 to 48 mpg and all of the exhaust is gathered in a huge bag hooked to the tailpipe, and then it’s analyzed for levels of pollutants.

The total maximum output of the engine and electric motor is 134 hp, 20 higher than before. That fuel economy increase is all the more incredible considering that the new car weighs about 110 pounds more, a consequence of meeting tougher crash regulations. Prius hyper milers do not favor all-electric mode as the optimum strategy for maximizing mileage. While on the road, Toyota Prius can start up and cruise on electric power alone, and invites people to set personal records in miles-per-gallon compared with regular cars. For sure, the car’s navigation plays a role in increasing the on-road efficiency. A larger engine in the new model gives the Prius better passing power, despite the slightly higher gas mileage. And every Prius now offers three driving modes: Standard, Eco, and Power, letting you dial in how parsimonious or aggressive you want the car’s tuning to be.

The Prius’s electric power steering feels very detached from the action, even though general grip isn’t bad. But what really kills the fun is that the rubber-band effect of the CVT transmission means you tend to lurch and pitch uneasily. Toyota does not only modified Prices have not yet been released, but expect the base Prius to start around $24,500. Fully loaded, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the Prius clear 30 grand.