Bolstered by tax incentives doled out through governments from Tokyo to Stockholm, the Toyota Prius has been smashing sales records the world over since its launch in 1997. In recent months it's outsold every other car in hometown Japan, and now it's clear its maker will peddle more than one million worldwide in 2010 alone.

Keep in mind we are talking about a hybrid.

Undoubtedly the new Prius has benefited greatly from profits of this magnitude, and across-the-board, its a decidedly better car than versions one and two.

Start with the body styling. The Toyota's new design combines a smart nod to Prius' past with a slick, new look featuring a futuristic feel. Gently-raked A-pillars cleverly blend into a roofline that slopes smoothly rearward to form the outline of a delicate tailgate. A tiny hood and bold nose cone blend together to give the front section a contrite yet cheeky appearance. Tall shoulder lines seem to lift the whole design skyward. The ultramodern look of the headlights and taillights accentuate further the car's overall 'space-age' look.

Inside you'll find an interior that matches the modernistic look of the bodywork. A lovely, centered gauge screen dominates the dashboard, while the high-rise center console houses both the clever infotainment system and a glitzy gearshift. Everywhere, and especially at night, the all-embracing feel of the cabin is quite high-tech.

Although the car was not designed to be a cargo-carrier, its purposeful hatch and trunk will swallow 445 litres of goods. Fold down the rear seat and you begin to see the distinct possibility of that camping trip. Further, there's another 5 inches or so of stowage space beneath the trunk's carpet. Very useful.