America's favorite hybrid enters the third year of its third generation with a minor restyling and a lot of new gadgets and gizmos. Otherwise it is still the very same wildly advanced 4-seater good for about 50 miles out of every gallon of gas. There was a time no car could go that far on an entire tank - the Prius is truly a treasured peek into our future.

Being the inspiration that it is, the 2012 Prius shows off its sportier side with more chiseled lines and aggressive detailing in the body shape, alongside new headlights and LED daytime running lights for the aggressively restyled front end and new taillights to complete the look. As much of an overhaul as that may sound, the changes are easily missed at a casual glance - but nevertheless bring the Prius a certain appeal it didn't have before.

Of course, if the factory-made sportiness isn't quite enough to suit your tastes, Toyota now offers a dealer-installed Plus accessory package. In the deal is a 7-piece body kit, lighter 17-inch wheels with performance tires, lower springs and a rear sway bar for improved cornering poise.

Fleet customers will see little change in their Prius I, but Two through Five each have new inclusions for 2012. The II gains restyled wheel covers, a new infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and USB/Bluetooth connectivity. The III now gets navigation, Entune telematics and infotainment, a back-up camera, satellite and HD radio, and a new Smart Key system that controls all three doors.

The IV gains an 8-speaker JBL audio system with reduced power consumption, and the V basically gets all of the above plus the option of the Advanced Technology Package, including an upgraded navigation system with a larger screen, a heads-up display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, a Pre-Collision system and Lane Keep Assist. Buyers of the IV can opt for a Deluxe Solar Roof Package with the heads-up display and a 7-inch touchscreen monitor with split-screen capabilities.

Drivers are consistently pleased with their Prius. Despite professional reviews suggesting poor materials quality and the like, even previous Lexus owners quickly forget to be picky about such things. Although the trip meter does tend to read about 2 mpg higher than actual usage, all drivers report fuel economy as advertised - and sometimes better. The different driving modes afford much more flexibility and enjoyment than previous Prius versions, with PWR offering ample power for acceleration and EV making those loaded parking lots and hours of highway gridlock considerably more economical.

With features like a solar-powered sunroof that ventilates the car while parked, the Prius is a futuristic gem for Toyota's asking price - and well worth a high spot on the list for anyone who feels the pinch at the pump but still wants utility, comfort, reliability and a bit of thrill in their daily commute.