Stealthiest and most secretive vehicle option: Toyota Prius unveiled
The fifth-generation Toyota Prius, set to hit the roads starting 2023 as the 2025/2026 model, promises a fresh, bold design, improved performance, and heightened efficiency compared to its predecessors.
Design
The new Prius flaunts a modern and striking exterior look, drawing inspiration from the conceptual high design era of the 1980s and 1990s. The sleek design is further enhanced by the exclusive Nightshade Edition for the plug-in hybrid, featuring black wheels and distinctive badging for a stealthy aesthetic.
Inside, the cabin boasts an upgraded 12.3-inch touchscreen, an intuitive digital instrument display, and a premium interior with SofTex-trimmed seating, wireless charging, and multiple USB-C ports. The interior layout emphasizes ergonomics and premium materials, bridging the gap between luxury and functionality.
Performance
Under the hood, the fifth-gen Prius utilizes Toyota's latest fifth-generation hybrid system, featuring a 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4 gasoline engine paired with multiple electric motors, resulting in a combined output of approximately 194–220 horsepower. An advanced electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) system is available, offering improved handling and control compared to traditional AWD systems.
The suspension system, a combination of struts in front and a multi-link setup in the rear, balances ride comfort and handling precision. The hybrid powertrain is paired with a smooth continuously variable transmission (eCVT) and sophisticated electronic brake force distribution that smartly blends regenerative and friction braking.
Efficiency
In terms of fuel efficiency, the base LE trim achieves up to 57 miles per gallon combined, surpassing many competitors and continuing the Prius's legacy as a leader in hybrid efficiency. The plug-in hybrid variant offers a sizable lithium-ion battery pack enabling electric driving capability plus very efficient gasoline hybrid operation.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite adds advanced safety and driver assistance technologies, contributing to overall efficiency by promoting safer and smoother driving.
The new Prius offers a more driver-focused dashboard design, a high-level driver display supplementing the main info screen, and a sportier stance than before. The plug-in hybrid model is well-equipped and expensive but offers nearly three decades of investment in technology.
Notably, the new Prius includes a Sport mode, which makes sense for the first time, and boasts improved acceleration in various driving conditions, with a combined equivalent of 223 horsepower. The new Prius is now a genuinely attractive car, with no quirks, and has been released in the UK. However, it is important to note that unlike its predecessors, the fifth-generation Prius is a plug-in hybrid, with no EV version available.
Sources: [1] Car and Driver, (2022). Toyota Prius 2023: First Drive Review [2] Motor Trend, (2022). 2023 Toyota Prius: First Drive Review [3] Toyota USA Newsroom, (2022). 2023 Toyota Prius: A New Era of Hybrid Leadership [4] Autocar, (2022). 2023 Toyota Prius: first drive review [5] Green Car Reports, (2022). 2023 Toyota Prius plug-in hybrid: First drive
- The automotive industry is about to witness a major shift with the introduction of the fifth-generation Toyota Prius, set to hit the roads starting 2023 as the 2025/2026 model.
- The evolution of finance in the transportation sector can be seen through investments in electric vehicles, with the new Prius offering a plug-in hybrid variant for electric driving capability.
- Lifestyle choices are becoming more sustainable, and the Prius's heightened efficiency, boasting up to 57 miles per gallon combined, reflects this trend.
- The advancements in car-maintenance technology can be observed in the 2023 Prius, with features like the advanced electronic on-demand all-wheel-drive system and the Sport mode for improved acceleration.
