Overview
The Toyota Prius hatchback turns over a brand new leaf—sure that’s a intelligent reference to Nissan’s electrical automobile—because it enters its fifth era in 2023. After being probably the ugliest automobile available on the market the Prius has pupated into a beautiful butterfly. The brand new automobile provides as much as 196 horsepower, probably the most ever from a Prius. Toyota estimates the 194-hp front-wheel-drive mannequin will stand up to 57 mpg mixed, additionally the most effective quantity a Prius has achieved. A totally redesigned cabin welcomes a extra conventional method to the driving force’s-space structure, with greater screens and a sweetened providing of options together with obtainable heated rear seats. The brand new Prius has a low roofline, a large stance, and a low seating place that full its transition into one thing that appears very a lot value driving. The Toyota that began the hybrid motion finds that it’s rivals with a bunch of autos now, vehicles just like the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and Toyota’s personal Corolla Hybrid, and several other hybrid SUVs as properly.
What’s New for 2023?
The 2023 Toyota Prius begins a brand new fifth-generation completely redesigned and up to date in and out. Each Prius now rides on the subsequent evolution of Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, which makes it a leaner however extra inflexible eco-friendly compact with a wider stance and decrease driving place. A brand new 194-hp hybrid powertrain with obtainable all-wheel drive has been added; Not solely has the extra energy made the Prius faster than a lot of its hybrid rivals, however its newfound efficiency has additionally come and not using a price to gas economic system. All-wheel-drive fashions get 196 horsepower due to the added high-output magnet contained in the rear motor. A 220-hp plug-in hybrid Prius Prime mannequin can also be supplied, however we evaluation that mannequin individually.
Pricing and Which One to Purchase
Recognized for its unimaginable gas economic system, the Toyota Prius delivers on its inexperienced promise. Its lineup of security tools and further options is as robust as its disinclination to cease for fuel. Base fashions include 17-inch wheels, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and a not-so-outrageous beginning value.
Engine, Transmission, and Efficiency
One powertrain instructions the Toyota Prius lineup. It is a 194-hp hybrid setup that makes use of a 2.0-liter hybrid inline-four gasoline engine, borrowed from the Corolla Cross hybrid crossover, bolted to a constantly variable automated transmission. Entrance-wheel drive is customary. For all-wheel-drive Priuses, Toyota provides a high-output everlasting magnet electrical motor to the rear axle, bumping whole powertrain output to 196 horsepower, a 60 p.c energy improve. The launch to 60 mph, which took final 12 months’s Prius an exhausting 10.5 seconds to succeed in, now takes simply 7.1 seconds in response to our testing of a front-drive Restricted mannequin. That’s faster than each the Camry Hybrid and Elantra Hybrid. Because of bigger entrance and rear brakes, the brand new Prius stops sooner from 70 mph than its final iteration too, doing so in simply 171 ft versus 194 ft from a earlier take a look at.
Gas Economic system and Actual-World MPG
Regardless of its bigger engine and extra highly effective powertrain, the Toyota Prius positive factors higher gas economic system for 2023. The EPA estimates the Prius is sweet for 57 mpg within the metropolis and 56 mpg on the freeway for the front-wheel drive mannequin. That is a 4- and 6-mpg enchancment over the last-gen. All-wheel-drive Prius take a marginal hit to gas economic system, with an estimated 53 mpg metropolis and 54 mpg on the freeway. We’ll replace this area after we have collected knowledge for the Prius from our 75-mph freeway gas economic system take a look at. For extra details about the Prius’ gas economic system, go to the EPA’s web site.
Inside, Consolation, and Cargo
Whereas the brand new fifth-generation Prius takes on a brand new form, the inside has performed it extra conservatively, now that includes a extra conventional automotive cockpit. For the primary time, the Prius now has a gauge cluster instantly behind the steering wheel. The brand new design impacts the inside with a roofline that’s decrease by 2.0 inches, and to affect a decrease heart of gravity, entrance passengers additionally sit decrease than earlier than. Base fashions get a pretend leather-based steering wheel, however upgrading to the XLE or greater trim will unlock heated entrance seats, extra cup holders for rear passengers, and rear heated seats.
Infotainment and Connectivity
Each base and upper-level fashions get bigger screens than the earlier automobile had. A brand new 8.0-inch infotainment display screen comes customary on LE and XLE, and Toyota has added a large 12.3-inch touchscreen for the Restricted (or as non-compulsory tools for the XLE). This technique contains “Hey Toyota” voice management and updates its infotainment over the cloud due to over-the-air updates. The bigger display screen comes customary with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto functionality and obtainable Wi-Fi.
Security and Driver-Help Options
The Prius comes customary with driver-assistance expertise that many opponents present solely through choice packages and higher trim ranges. For extra details about its crash-test outcomes, go to the Nationwide Freeway Visitors Security Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance coverage Institute for Freeway Security (IIHS) web sites. Key security options embody:
- Customary automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Customary automated high-beams
- Customary lane-departure warning and lane-keeping help
Guarantee and Upkeep Protection
Toyota matches what its opponents supply, however it gives above-average protection in the case of included upkeep. Likewise, its hybrid-component guarantee is an trade customary.
- Restricted guarantee covers three years or 36,000 miles
- Powertrain guarantee covers 5 years or 60,000 miles
- Hybrid elements are lined for eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary upkeep is roofed for 2 years or 25,000 miles
Specs
Specs
2023 Toyota Prius Restricted
Automobile Sort: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Examined: $35,560/$35,560
Choices: none
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft + 2 AC motors (mixed output: 194 hp; 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: constantly variable automated
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 11.1-in vented disc/11.0-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy All Season
195/50R-19 88H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.3 in
Size: 181.1 in
Width: 70.2 in
Top: 56.3 in
Passenger Quantity: 91 ft3
Cargo Quantity: 20 ft3
Curb Weight: 3199 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.5 sec @ 92 mph
100 mph: 18.8 sec
Outcomes above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Begin, 5–60 mph: 8.1 sec
High Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.0 sec
High Gear, 50–70 mph: 5.0 sec
High Velocity (gov ltd): 115 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 171 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.87 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Noticed: 45 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY (MFR’S EST)
Mixed/Metropolis/Freeway: 52/52/52 mpg