The All-New Prius is a head-turner (and 50+ mpg is perfect for commuting in Jacksonville)
The original Prius made headlines when it first went on sale 22 years ago with celebrities seeking to make an environmental statement by driving them up red carpets. Admittedly, the first four generations of the hybrid primarily lacked head-turning curb appeal. But now, the fifth-generation Prius is sleek and contemporary, with a shape that manages to appear both fast and efficient; it also rides on the latest-generation TNGA modular platform. In addition to its sleek makeover, Toyota has also discovered a way to increase the hybrid system’s efficiency and power.
Let’s dissect what Toyota has done to the hybrid that has found over 5 million buyers in the United States and 20 million buyers worldwide since its introduction and expects to find even more in this EV focused time.
The Toyota Pruis’s New Appearance
Favoring efficiency over looks, no one was buying the first iterations of the Prius for its looks. Now, the Prius bears only the faintest resemblance to its predecessor. The jagged profile and the front-end features mimic the Toyota Crown and Toyota bZ4X. The roofline is 2 inches lower, the vehicle is 1 inch longer, and the rear is nearly 1 inch wider than the front, enhancing the wedge shape. On the XLE and Limited models, larger 19-inch wheels contribute to the vehicle’s imposing appearance.
This is the first Prius with a fixed panoramic roof; the XLE offers it as an option, while the Limited comes with it as standard equipment. The highest specification level also includes a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled front seats, and heated rear seats as an option. Plus, rear passenger door handles that are seamlessly integrated into every Prius.
Eye-catching design on the Prius Prime
The LE has an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system that is integrated into a more streamlined dashboard, while the XLE offers an optional 12.3-inch screen and the Limited comes standard with a 12.3-inch screen. There are six USB-C connections, and higher-tier configurations include a wireless charger. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, and you can upgrade to an eight-speaker JBL Premium Audio system.
The new electrical architecture enhances Toyota’s overall connectivity and makes it simpler to send over-the-air vehicle-improving software updates. Say “Hey Toyota” to give voice commands for navigation, climate control, and audio to the vehicle hands-free.
Ok, but what about Performance on the all-new Prius?
The new Prius utilizes the second generation of the already excellent TNGA-C platform, which reduces the vehicle’s center of gravity, as well as its weight, and increases its rigidity. The car’s wider stance and lower driving position should make operating a Prius more fun by making it more responsive to handling.
The new hybrid system has increased engine and battery output, resulting in increased power and efficiency. The fifth-generation hybrid system is paired with a 2.0-liter I-4 engine (previous generations used a 1.8-liter engine) and a lithium-ion battery with 15 percent more output than the departing nickel metal battery. This brings Prius’ output from 121 to 191 horsepower. This, according to Toyota, reduces the zero-to-60 mph acceleration time to 7.2 seconds for the front-drive model and seven seconds for the all-wheel-drive model.
Looks and impressive fuel economy in the new Prius from Toyota
The efficiency argument is equally persuasive. The current Prius has an EPA-estimated combined mileage rating of 52 mpg; the next generation achieves up to 57 mpg combined.
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