This post is an advertisement, brought to you by Toyota Prius. Visit Syfy's Prius site here.

The Toyota Prius breaks serious new ground for hybrid vehicles. Beyond just statistics, the 3rd generation Prius has a multitude of features that help keep it safe, modern and green. Here are 10 reasons that the Prius is harmony between man, nature and machine.

1) It has a 50 mpg rating¹
While other hybrids are content with 30 or 40 mpg, the Prius can clock 50 miles for every gallon of gasoline used. As with any vehicle, your actual mileage will vary, but with the Prius you'll know you're burning less gas no matter what you're doing. That's good for everyone, including your wallet.

2) Solar Powered Ventilation System^2,3
On the 3rd generation Prius, the roof is available with embedded solar panels. When you're parked in direct sunlight, the Solar Roof can power a ventilation system that helps keeps the air in the cabin close to the temperature outside. That means you'll be cranking up the A/C less on those hot summer days, which can be a big power drain.

3) Available Touch Tracer Display
Forget leaning over to adjust anything on your dash -- when driving the new Prius, controls for stereo volume and mode, as well as temperature, are right on the steering wheel. Just tap the Touch Tracer Display and they miraculously appear.

4) Three power modes
You're not always driving the same way, and this car knows that. Eco mode will maximize your fuel economy for those long drives. Available EV mode⁴ lets you drive solely on battery power for up to a half-mile under certain conditions -- perfect for browsing parking lots for that perfect spot. And Power mode increases gas-pedal sensitivity for when the need for speed is paramount.

5) LED headlamps
Using highly efficient LEDs instead of incandescent bulbs, the headlights run cool and bright, and they use 20% to 30% less power than conventional headlamps. Run those LED peepers, available on the Prius V, proudly at night!

6) Real-time engine display
How's your driving? With the Prius, you know just by glancing at the dashboard, which shows you actual mpg, gasoline and electric engine use, battery charge, and more -- all in real time. Your driving's looking pretty green.

7) Pre-Collision System (PCS)⁵
Collisions can still happen to even the best cars and drivers, but the Prius is looking out for you. Its available radar-based Pre-Collision System (PCS) can help detect if a collision is unavoidable, automatically applying the brakes and tightening seat belts. Available on Prius V.

8) Lane Keep Assist (LKA)⁶ system
Helping your car stay in its lane is the optional Lane Keep Assist (LKA) system, signaled by an audible tone and flashing screen on the MID display, alerting you if you start to drift out of the lane you're in. It even applies a slight torque to the steering to help keep the car centered in its lane. It's no substitute for safe driving, but the system could help lessen the severity of unavoidable accidents.

9) Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)⁷
Sketchy maneuvering to squeeze into tight parking spaces is a thing of the past on the Prius. Engage the available Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA) system, and the car virtually steers itself, needing the driver only to apply soft braking once it has slipped into place.

10) Remote Air Conditioning System⁸
The interior of the Prius never needs to be scorching, not even on those hot summer days, thanks to the available Remote A/C. Once you're within about 30 yards of the car, you can start up the A/C right from your key fob. Now you can start to cool off before you even turn the ignition, and it automatically shuts down after three minutes, so there's no danger of wasting power.

Disclaimers:
1. 2010 EPA 51/48/50 city/highway/combined mpg estimates. Actual mileage will vary.

2. The Solar Powered Ventilation System uses a fan to draw outside air into the cabin, lowering cabin temperature near outside ambient temperature. Must be turned on prior to leaving vehicle, must be parked in direct sunlight.

3. Available on Prius III and IV only.

4. There is less noise when driving in hybrid electric-only mode; be alert to your surroundings.

5. The Pre-Collision System is designed to help reduce the crash speed and damage in certain frontal collisions only. They are not collision-avoidance systems and are not substitutes for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors such as speed, driver input and road conditions. See your Owner's Manual for further information.

6. Available on Prius V only. Lane Keep Assist is designed to read the lane markers of certain roads and apply slight torque to the steering wheel to help keep the car in the center of the lane. If the vehicle approaches the outer limits of its lane, the Lane Departure Warning feature sounds a warning tone and applies slight torque to the steering wheel to notify the driver that corrective action may be required. These features are not a collision-avoidance system and are not a substitute for safe and attentive driving. System effectiveness depends on many factors. See your Owner's Manual for further information.

7. Intelligent Parking Assist requires driver brake control. Always look around.

8. Available on Prius III and IV only. 2. Maximum operation duration of this system is three minutes. System may not operate if the hybrid battery is under load and/or if the battery charge is low. See your Owner's Manual for further information.

This post is an advertisement, brought to you by Toyota Prius. Visit Syfy's Prius site here.