The model new 2023 Toyota Prius options incredible new styling, a HUGE horsepower improve, and an brisk persona. These upgrades in feel and appear are a part of altering the Prius’ picture in recent times of declining gross sales. When the Prius was first accessible it was bought by early adopters and celebrities as a automobile of the long run and their solution to save the bushes. Since then, {the marketplace} has turn out to be extra aggressive with hybrid choices and mass-production electrical autos from nearly each maker. We lately had the chance to check this fifth-generation 2023 Prius. The bottom mannequin begins at $27,450, nevertheless our automobile is a Prius Restricted with the Premium Bundle which retails for $36,399. At that worth, you get a automobile centered on gasoline financial system with extra choices than you’ll discover in Toyota’s cheaper Corolla LE hybrid for not far more cash.
Exterior
The brand new styling for the Toyota Prius seems to be attractive. Per Toyota, the design was impressed by efficiency coupes, and this may be seen with the low-slung hood, conventional flat Prius windshield which provides to the sportiness, and the vast rear fender flares which to me seem like they have been taken from the Lexus LC500. It’s additionally the place we’ll discover the primary of fifteen Easter eggs which Toyota has hidden all through the Prius. One other attention-grabbing side of the outside is the low-key nature of the Toyota badges. The Prius badges appear to have extra presence, to look nearly as its personal model. Within the entrance, it nonetheless appears like a Prius with our bi-LED headlights and funky swoosh-like LED daytime working lights. The automobile we’ve got is completed in Reducing Edge, which is a incredible gentle metallic silver that’s accented by the bigger 19-inch Alloy wheels included with the Restricted trim. On the windshield, just under the middle sensors and rearview mirror mount, yow will discover a small Prius define, the letters “Prius” could be discovered within the rear wheel arch spelled vertically when you look intently, and lastly, “Prius” is spelled out once more within the rear window mixing in with the defrost traces. On the again, we’ve got our remaining badging, together with LTD to let individuals know that is the Restricted trim, together with the Restricted-specific powered open and shut liftback hatch which options one other hybrid reborn Easter egg inside.
Inside
The inside is small however makes good use of the area to suit 4 adults, in the event that they aren’t skilled basketball gamers, and options a variety of good Toyota and Prius traits like an abundance of bodily buttons. The inside supplies are low cost, composed of a mixture of plastics and Softex, which is Toyota’s spill-resistant fake leather-based materials that may be discovered on the steering wheel and perforated seats. The supplies chosen for the inside are sometimes picked for worth and weight which results in higher gasoline financial system, so that you gained’t discover a lot sound deadening inside both, this turns into obvious on the freeway. The inside does look trendy, because of the abundance of screens, LED inside working gentle by means of the sprint, and a few extra textures. The 7-inch multi-information show serves as your sprint which feels nearer to an EV than a fuel automobile because of the minimal info offered, digital velocity read-out, fuel tank, and the way laborious you press on the fuel. Nonetheless, you possibly can add some further info together with map readouts per your choice. The mounting of the 7-inch sprint display could make adjusting the wheel a bit unusual as you attempt to keep away from blocking it with the steering wheel. You find yourself studying the show over the wheels versus by means of it, like most automobiles. The middle 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen is a giant enchancment over the smaller 8-inch. It’s easy in perform, however responsive, as a variety of controls are managed by buttons, but it surely does function Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The seats are snug; they really feel higher than some earlier technology automobiles and provide lumbar assist and energy adjustment with reminiscence settings, together with shifting the seat out of the best way for simple entry and exit, a function often reserved for Lexus, and more room could be discovered by manually pulling again the sunshade. The again seats have much less headroom than the entrance, however at 6-ft tall even I can sit within the again with out my head touching the roof, and you can open the handbook glass roof curtain to increase the area. The Restricted model does have heated rear sits, which could possibly be necessary primarily based on the place you reside, however the lack of rear air vents sours any added expertise. You do get extra USB type-C chargers, and the seats could be folded down when wanted. There are extra Easter eggs inside the inside phrased as hashtags with the primary being #wirelesscharger, which is seen trying in, adopted by the #glovebox, #consolebox, however essentially the most enjoyable is the tab in entrance of the shifter which exhibits you the #hiddencompartment.
Powertrain
Energy comes from a hybrid 2.Zero liter inline-four, which adjustments efficiency figures primarily based on the drivetrain choice FWD of AWD. The FWD mannequin does 194 horsepower, 139 lb-ft of torque and achieves 0-60 in 7.2 seconds, whereas the on-demand AWD mannequin does 196 horsepower with the identical 139 lb-ft of torque and achieves 0-60 in 7 seconds flat. Whichever possibility you select makes use of an ECVT transmission. Whereas it’s not a racecar, it’s a appreciable enchancment over the earlier technology knocking off two seconds in 0-60 and boasting a 70-horsepower improve.
Financial system
Gasoline financial system is the primary motive anybody seems to be into buying a Prius. The EPA scores are 52 mpg metropolis and freeway, however Toyota says as much as 57 mpg. Both means, it’s spectacular. With the 11.3-gallon tank within the Prius, that provides you an estimated vary of 587.6 miles which is superior. Driving the automobile within the regular drive mode right here in Phoenix, the automobile averaged 40 mpg-43 mpg in blended driving with the ventilated seats and AC on full blast (to outlive the 110-degree days). It’s necessary to level out that we wouldn’t have the lightest foot or one of the best hybrid driving habits, and having the local weather management on full blast places a pressure on the system as properly, so when you use the Eco drive mode it’s possible you’ll discover the automobile throttle local weather management again. It’s finest to say your expertise could range, however the EPA scores are actually spectacular particularly contemplating the horsepower will increase.
Drive
Driving the 2023 Toyota Prius feels identical to the earlier generations. The facility steering is extremely boosted, and you can simply flip the wheel with one finger in a car parking zone, the brakes are sensitive, and laborious to return to a easy cease as is typical with most hybrids and regenerative braking so no dig on the Prius. There may be additionally some CVT rubber banding with the fuel pedal that’s to be anticipated. What this all means is the driving is easy and requires little effort, particularly when successfully utilizing the driving force assists, making this an equipment for getting from A to B. The seats actually really feel extra snug than earlier fashions, making lengthy drives simpler. For those who’re accustomed to the Prius or different hybrid fashions, you’ll really feel proper at residence right here.
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Conclusion
The Toyota Prius shouldn’t be a luxurious automobile, it’s a fuel-efficient commuter in the beginning. Nonetheless, Toyota has added extra persona in an try and shake the Prius picture. Now we have new styling and extra energy, but the automobile remains to be as environment friendly because it ever was. There are cheaper hybrids within the Toyota lineup, just like the Corolla, however you gained’t discover as many options. However, there are extra luxurious hybrids that commerce gasoline financial system for luxurious. In a hyper-competitive area, the Prius remains to be among the finest within the recreation for gasoline financial system and saving cash.