coarse engine note and little in the way of forward momentum to match it. But speed and handling prowess are not what this car is about, of course. It is, after all, still a Prius. I have to keep ...

It's quicker than you might think, and better in corners than it strictly needs to be, but sadly all marred by the e-CVT gearbox that plagues any spirited driver with a flailing, coarse engine note ...