The first two generations of Toyota's groundbreaking Prius put hybrid vehicles on the map, establishing hybrids as mainstream choices.

Now Toyota's ready with an all-new, third-generation Prius for 2010. It improves on almost all of the current Prius shortcomings, delivers even better fuel economy and, when it hits showrooms in late May, likely will be priced little more than the current Prius.

The 2010 Prius is so superior to the car it replaces that it almost achieves what should be a primary engineering goal for all hybrids: making you forget you're driving a hybrid.

Hybrids typically are a little whiny and wheezy, particularly if you're merging into fast-moving traffic in which you'd like something resembling genuine acceleration.

That shortcoming is addressed by the 2010 Prius' new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder that is a solid 22-horses stronger than the outgoing Prius' 1.5-liter. The new engine, now all-aluminum, makes a serious difference in all driving situations and is a major factor in eradicating the light-on-power feeling that is a hallmark of hybrid driving dynamics.

Here's the best part: the more powerful new engine is a win-win proposition: Toyota engineers say the larger engine, because it doesn't have to work as hard and is a better companion for the Prius' sophisticated electric-drive components, actually improves fuel economy: the figures for the 2010 Prius are 50 mpg city/49 mpg highway, compared with 48 mpg city/45 mpg highway for the current Prius.

Those engineers also say the 2010 Prius' magnificently complex and magnificently intelligent Hybrid Synergy Drive -- the electric stuff that combines with the gasoline engine to drive the car and recover energy when the Prius decelerates -- is 90 percent new or revised.

Hybrid Synergy Drive provides some of the special entertaining and techie features of the 2010 Prius. On the center console just forward of the most gloriously styled gear-selection lever you'll ever use are three buttons labeled "EV," ECO mode" and "Power mode."

Punch the EV setting and you run purely on electric power up to 25 mph and as far as one mile (a longer distance would deplete the Prius' nickel-metal hydride batteries too much). The ECO mode massages the inputs from the throttle and puts the air-conditioning into an energy-conserving setting, maximizing your fuel-economy potential.

Some of the new toys available for the 2010 Prius include a solar panel incorporated into the optional sunroof that runs a fan that helps cool a parked Prius while you're away, as well as light-emitting diode headlights, which currently are offered almost exclusively for big-money luxury-sport cars.

Most people don't buy the Prius for its looks. But a strong new crease along the body sides and a reshaped front end and roofline help the 2010 Prius look more assertive than before. The 2010 model is based on Toyota's new midsize-car platform, a structure that is more rigid. Combined with the revised electronic power steering, the stiffer structure makes the Prius feel more stable when cornering or traveling at higher speeds.

A wonderful shift lever is the central focus of a new interior that demonstrates real design flair and stupendous build quality. The driver-oriented sweep of the center console that houses the shifter and the automatic climate controls is inspired.

Jim, a good friend from my church, owns the current Prius and has averaged more than 45 mpg over the life of the car. He's the typical Prius owner -- loves everything about it. But Jim's going to want the new 2010 Prius. It's a hybrid that makes you forget it's a hybrid -- until you realize the fuel gauge hasn't budged for about a week.

SPECIFICATIONS

VEHICLE TYPE: 5-passenger FWD hatchback

BASE PRICE: $22,000 (estimated)

ENGINE TYPE: 16-valve DOHC I-4/electric drive motor

DISPLACEMENT: 1.8-liter

HORSEPOWER (net): 98 at 5200 rpm

TORQUE (lb.-ft.): 105 lb.-ft. at 4000 rpm

TRANSMISSION: Continuously variable automatic

WHEELBASE: 106 in.

TRACK (front/rear): 60/60

OVERALL LENGTH: 176 in.

OVERALL WIDTH: 69 in.

HEIGHT: 59 in.

TURNING CIRCLE (curb-to-curb): 17 ft.

CURB WEIGHT: 3,042 lbs.

FUEL CAPACITY: 12 gal.

MILEAGE: 51 mpg city,

48 mpg highway