Who says Earth Day has to just be one day? Truth is taking care of the environment is an everyday thing. And living in a driving city is a good reason to seriously consider an eco-friendly car. That’s where the 2014 Toyota Prius Four comes in. Now remember over a decade ago when the Prius first became available? Back then it was hard to get one because it was, arguably, the hottest car in Hollywood, and there was a waiting list in anticipation of its U.S. arrival. Today, while it remains an in-demand car, thankfully it’s a lot easier to get. It proved quite the companion during a staycation at the Atlanta Evergreen Marriott Conference Resort in Stone Mountain Park.
Rolling up there from downtown Atlanta, one thing was most apparent: the Prius has speed. Forget the silly notion that eco-friendly cars have no power. When driving this Prius, watching the speedometer is a must because it gets up there in no time at all. Once there, a cozy room awaited.
Unfortunately there was little time to indulge and back in Atlanta traffic I went to catch the legendary George C. Wolfe for an event for the Center for Civil and Human Rights. But, once back at the resort, sleep time was in full effect. The next day was a wash-out: rain, rain everywhere. That sucked because, believe or not, hiking was calling my name. Luckily the bed was uber comfy and room service rocked.
The next day wasn’t as wet but not so warm either. But no worries as the Prius (so heart the seat warmer feature) proved to be the perfect vehicle for touring Stone Mountain, which is stacked with trees and lots of calming water. It’s just a beautiful drive!
With all the windows on the Prius, the beauty just shined i,n even through the clouds. And the awesome moonroof was great for stopping off and snapping pics. The JBL GreenEdge Speakers delivered soothing sound. Navigation was a big win too and never missed a beat. Even in the vast Stone Mountain Park, it guided expertly so getting loss was not an option.
Leaving was bittersweet but the beauty of it all is this Prius gets along in the city too. Thanks to its lightness, it handles traffic very well, making it easy to move in and out of lanes. It also keeps tabs on those getting too close. Even more impressive, the 2014 Prius Four averages a whopping 50 mpg; 51 in the city and 48 on the highway. It’s also push-button start, plus who doesn’t love a car that just opens when you step to it? Going from drive to reverse is still a uniquely Prius experience, as those who have ever driven one can attest. Safety, of course, is top priority but so is comfort. This Prius Four starts at $28, 435 and tallies in at $33,358 with such niceties as the moonroof, navigation, the Entune App Suite are added.