Toyota unveils the new Prius

The new Toyota Prius remains equipped with an electrified powertrain but abandons the traditional hybrid used in previous generations.

The Toyota Prius marked the beginning of the hybrid era for Toyota and more generally for the automotive industry as a whole. This model has somewhat fallen into relative obscurity over time, but the saga is not over. On the contrary, a new chapter begins today with the presentation of the fifth generation.

The sharp lines of the new Prius stand out clearly from the clunky look that characterized some of its predecessors. The design is clean and without unnecessary embellishments. Compared to its predecessor, the Prius 5 is both lower and wider but also 46 mm shorter. However, the wheelbase has increased by 50 mm.

Inside, the seven-inch TFT screen is placed directly within the driver’s line of sight. This setup is reminiscent of the one adopted by Peugeot in its latest models. The physical controls located below the large digital display allow for climate control adjustments. The dashboard lighting changes color as soon as Toyota Safety Sense— a package of driving assistance systems— issues a warning.

A New Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid of 223 HP

For this new generation of Prius, Toyota has opted for a plug-in hybrid. The simple hybrid, which made the model well-known at its debut, is abandoned in Europe.

The only powertrain available at launch combines a 2.0-liter petrol engine producing 148 hp with an electric motor of 160 hp. The combined power reaches 223 hp, compared to the 122 hp of the previous Prius generation. Electricity is stored in a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, which will provide better range. The exact figure is not yet known, but Toyota promises an improvement of around 50%, which would bring the electric range to approximately 75 km.

The new Toyota Prius will be available on the market in spring 2023. Pricing has not yet been announced.

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