New Toyota styling

Priuspoints out the future Corolla gained in looks, performance and technology

by Marcelo Palomino

Autocosmos.com/Chile

Exclusive in Brazil for Auto Press

Since the launch of the fifth generation at the beginning of 2023, the Toyota Prius has impressed with a change of concept. In the previous four generations, the impression was that you had to pay an aesthetic penalty to have access to the best-selling hybrid in history. After 25 years on the market, Toyota has finally allowed its designers and engineers to go beyond pragmatism and give visual value. In other words: the model abandons the traditional dubious aesthetic concepts and finally gets an attractive makeover.

In this case, there was also a question of opportunity, since this new generation was designed from scratch, seeking to maintain its personality in order to be recognizable, while at the same time becoming more striking for different audiences – in other words: seeking a younger consumer. In this quest to broaden the audience, this new generation of Prius brings another novelty: it is offered in the traditional hybrid configuration – with the same system used in the Brazilian hybrid Corolla – and now has a plug-in hybrid version, which is called Prime. The model is not planned to be imported into Brazil, but it shows everything that the new generation Corolla will bring in terms of technical novelties.

Design

For the first time in its history, Toyota’s designers and engineers had complete freedom to rethink the Prius, without aesthetic traps in search of high aerodynamic efficiency (in fact, this model has a worse aerodynamic coefficient than the previous one). It was the way to put an end to a quarter of a century of hideous designs inspired by water droplets, for a clean and efficient redesign.

It is built on an evolved version of the TNGA platform. In this generation, the new Prius is 4 cm shorter, 5 cm lower and 2 cm wider, with a 5 cm longer wheelbase than the model it replaces. The result is a sportier, more attractive look. It measures 4.53 m in length, 1.78 m in width and 1.42 m in height, with a wheelbase of 2.75 m.

Visual

The Prius retains its classic single-volume silhouette, with no creases in the silhouette, but is now an attractive, well-proportioned car, almost like a sports fastback, with some very interesting dynamic features. The hidden rear door handle, the rising cut-out in the front door that projects backwards, a lower center of gravity and elements that characterize Toyota’s new family face.

This is the case with the front end called the Hammerhead Shark, because of the panel in front of the hood delimited by C-shaped reflectors. Another eye-catching detail is the LED bars that run along the rear lid. The 19-inch wheels also help provide a less utilitarian and austere image that marked previous generations.

On board

Inside, there is a perceived higher quality and a cabin that is less futuristic than before, but a little more functional. The most striking feature is the rearward position of the 7-inch digital instrument panel. It is raised and works almost like a head-up display. However, it suffers from the same problem as this type of solution in Peugeot: depending on the driver’s position, it can be partially covered by the steering wheel.

The multimedia center can have an 8-inch or 12.3-inch screen, depending on the version. It features the same operating system that is beginning to be adopted by Lexus models, with greater usability and speed than before. It works very quickly and well, connecting perfectly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wirelessly, although the user interface could be more attractive. The brand will offer a dark environment, with contrasting elements to add sophistication, with an ambient lighting system that works in conjunction with the Toyota Safety Sense system with audible and visual alerts.

Ergonomics

By tradition, the Prius offers a great driving position, with good visibility to all sides, all the controls are at hand. This time, it has been given a wider center console, which makes usability much simpler. The feel of the compactly designed steering wheel and shifter is pleasant.

The rear seats are also comfortable, despite the sharp drop in the roofline, which has taken away a few centimeters of head clearance. Space, however, has been improved for the legs and shoulders, due to the greater width and wheelbase. All in all, it’s a typical medium-sized car, suitable for four or five people. In terms of safety, the Prius has already been awarded the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ in crash tests, thanks to its eight standard airbags and a dozen advanced driving aids.

Motorization

The Prius is available as a hybrid or plug-in hybrid vehicle. In this generation, the bland but efficient 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder engine is replaced by a new 2.0 with 150 hp. It is paired with one or two electric motors, with 111 hp at the front and 40 hp at the rear, connected to a small 0.91 kWh battery. The system offers a combined 194 hp of power in the single-engine, front-wheel drive version, while in the configuration with two electric motors it adds up to 196 hp and also features E-Four AWD, designed to improve grip and dynamics on curves or low-grip roads. In addition to the aesthetic change, the Prius has tried to arm itself to face the new wave of electric models flooding the car market (Text by Marcelo Palomino, Autocosmos Chile, and exclusive in Brazil for Auto Press. Disclosure photos).

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Driving impressions

General gain

Normally, the greater the power, the greater the fuel consumption. Despite the significant gain of the new engine, this is not the case. The homologation is almost 25 km/l in urban environments and has also improved on the highway and in the combined cycle. In other words, despite having a less aerodynamic design and more power, the efficiency of Toyota’s system improves with each renewal. The key, experts say, is Toyota’s second-generation TNGA-C platform. This is a structurally stiffer chassis than its predecessor, with a lower center of gravity and a lighter, more energy-dense lithium-ion battery than the old nickel-metal hydride one.

The Prius continues to use an e-CVT automatic transmission, but has redesigned the braking system and added an active hydraulic boost that improves brake pedal feel. The result is a much more fun car to drive. The chassis is very good, with a lot of linear stability and a high balance in corners, without sacrificing anything to filter out bumps and irregularities in the road.

The steering has also been improved and has become more responsive and precise. Power delivery is high, although it’s not super energetic, but it’s more than enough for everyday use and even offers some sportiness. There’s plenty of torque to push, although when you step on it harder, the endothermic engine kicks in and the sound unceremoniously invades the cabin. Which isn’t a bad thing for those looking for a bit of sportiness. And it’s one more element that makes this the most fun-to-drive Prius ever.