2023 toyota prius redesign
2023 toyota prius redesign
2023 Toyota Prius, Prius Prime Redesigned
With greater power and poise, Toyota's fifth-gen Prius might be delightful to drive.
The 2023 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime look amazing. The fifth-generation Toyota Prius has a crisp, edgy new look and a more powerful hybrid drivetrain.
Prius is possibly the most iconic hybrid automobile. 1997 saw the release of Toyota's wedge-shaped hybrid hatchback in Japan. In 2001, it was the only hybrid in the U.S. Since then, almost 5 million Prii have hit American roads, solidifying Toyota's hybrid image.
Redesigned
The new Prius' form has changed. The five-door liftback's design has a more slanted windscreen. The roof is 2 inches lower than the previous model, while the seat is an inch lower. The sportier hybrid's rear body is roughly an inch bigger, accentuating its hunkered-down proportions.
Toyota's Hammerhead headlamps flash aggressively from the Prius' low hood; they resemble the bZ4X's fascia. The tail echoes Toyota's Mirai's brake lights and how they fold under the corner sheet metal.
2.0-liter Hybrid
Toyota's fifth-generation hybrid powertrain upgrades to a 2.0-liter gasoline engine and a lithium-ion battery for the new Prius. New battery is 15% more powerful than old nickel-metal pack. This allowed Toyota's engineers to use a smaller unit that fits deeper under the second-row bench. Low weight improves driving dynamics.
These upgrades enhance the front-driven 2023 Prius' output to 194 horsepower from 121. (Torque estimates aren't updated.) 0-60 mph takes 7.2 seconds, down from 9.8. Toyota thinks the Prius gets 57 combined mpg.
Electronic all-wheel drive adds a spinnable electric motor to the back axle. In this setup, peak power jumps to 196 hp and the 0-to-60 sprint reduces to 7.0 seconds. AWD improves traction and stability, not speed.
2023 Toyota Prius redesign
Prime Prius
The new plug-in hybrid Prius Prime has a Solar Roof and a J1772 charging connector. Toyota says the roof trickle-charges the traction battery while parked and powers auxiliary systems while driving. Toyota says the Prime's bigger lithium-ion battery doubles its EV range from 25 to 50 miles. I'll calculate: 39 km.
2023 Prius Prime gets 220 hp from its 2.0-liter fifth-gen hybrid system. Its 6.6-second 0-to-60 time is speedier than the new Acura Integra with its CVT. Depending on how the Prime handles, this could be a fun Prius.
Multimedia Toyota
The redesigned interior is "inexpensive, but not cheap" like the Prius. The design and ergonomics take largely from the bZ4X, with a high-mounted digital instrument cluster and low-slung steering wheel. After sitting in a Prius and driving a bZ4X earlier this year, I like it.
Toyota's Audio Multimedia infotainment has a standard 8-inch touchscreen with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. The software can be updated over-the-air and has a variety of connected capabilities that may require a subscription after one to 10 year trial periods. Six USB Type-C connections are in the center console, underneath the dashboard, and on the second row.
Prius Limited and Prime XSE Premium have 12.3-inch touchscreens. Top models have phone-as-key, a power liftback, and JBL audio. The Prius Limited's glass roof is fixed.
Safety Sense 3.0
Safety Sense 3.0 is included on all Prius models. Pre-collision alerts with pedestrian detection, lane-tracing steering aid, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and more are standard. Proactive Driving Assist automatically adds steering and braking assist to follow a bend or if you approach too close to the automobile ahead. It's annoying.
Prius Prime's optional front corner radar sensors and driver monitoring camera power hands-free parking assist, front cross-traffic alert, and lane change steering aid. Traffic Jam Assist allows hands-free steering, braking, and accelerating in low-speed (under 25 mph) or stop-and-go traffic. A camera monitors the driver's eyes to ensure they stay on the road.
The 2023 Toyota Prius goes on sale in December, followed by the plug-in Prius Prime in 2023. Pricing, specs, and fuel efficiency will be released closer to introduction.
