The Toyota Prius has won the hearts of Silicon Valley drivers, edging out the ever-popular Camry, also from Toyota. There's little doubt that higher gas prices are contributing to its rank in the high-tech mecca, though the San Jose Mercury News report also mentions how the car's "status reflects the continued greening of Silicon Valley."

And it also doesn't hurt that its interior is a gadget lover's dream.

Prius sales are up 45 percent in Santa Clara County and 65 percent in the 11-county Bay Area so far this year. The model has been popular in California since it went on sale in 2000, but it is catching on nationwide. U.S. Prius sales through June, according to industry publication Automotive News, are up 96 percent compared with the first six months of 2006.

For the '08 model year, when the new EPA, "closer to real world" mileage guidelines go into effect, the Prius will be rated at 48 city and 45 highway.

[via Valleywag]