25 Years On, Toyota Reinvents the Prius
5 Million Cars Later, an All New Plug In Hybrid Prius Picks Up the Ante
Consistency is a funny thing. Take the Toyota Prius, for instance. In 25 years since it was introduced as a revolutionary gas-electric hybrid, not much ever changed under the skin. Of course, the package altered quite radically in that time, but that good old Toyota Hybrid set-up barely changed at all.
Yes, it did gain a Plug In version in 2012 and that continued into the 2019 incarnation as the Prime. But now Toyota has evolved the all-new 2023 Prius onto a plug-in only car. Revealed in Japan this week the new Prius is the first radical departure from the humble original, a quarter century on. Come, let’s rip it apart and see what gives…
Meet the Reinvented Toyota Prius
The reinvented, fifth-generation Prius brings as dramatic a design change as it does technology revolution. It now switches exclusively to Plug In Hybrid power in most markets, but it will carry on as a regular Hybrid in the US. The 194 horsepower fifth generation hybrid is good for a 2.6 second quicker 7.2 seconds 0-60 mph in front wheel drive form. The 196 HP AWD car manages 60 in 7 seconds. But let’s focus on that new Plug In Prius Prime.
“Since we introduced the original Prius as our first Hybrid model back in 1997, we have launched a much greater selection of self-charging Hybrids over the years,” a Toyota statement confirmed. “While the Prius has played a leading role in driving Hybrid, our HEVs have now spread through a wide range of current models.
“Today our Hybrids cover all the main market segments and meet a much wider customer base, which means the Prius has reached a turning point. “The development team started from scratch to look at what the Prius needs to remain popular for the next 25 years, and the Hybrid Reborn concept was created.”
Prius is Now Only a Plug InHybrid
As such, the new Prius will now only be available as a Prime Plug In Hybrid in most world markets. The new car gets an upgraded version of the previous Plug In drivetrain in. It pairs a 145 HP 2-litre four-cylinder gas engine with a 155 HP EV motor to drive the front axle via a CVT transmission. Delivering a combined 217 HP, it’s a very handy 100 HP up on the outgoing Prius Plug In.
Said to deliver a captivating driver performance, Toyota claims 6.6 seconds to 60 mph acceleration for the new car. That makes it far and away the quickest Prius yet. The company points out that the larger engine matches the previous 1.8-litre unit on fuel efficiency. Our testing returned high 60s mpg figures on that car.
Located under the rear seat, the 13.6 kWh battery is said to boost EV range by 50%. That means the new Prius can travel 58 miles on battery power only. Among the longest EV ranges of any PHEV.
Much Improved Battery Density, Solar Roof
Engineers blame the new car’s EV performance boost on much improved battery energy density. Charging specification is yet be revealed. Toyota has confirmed that the new car’s solar roof generates enough energy for 777 miles of EV driving a year. The solar roof charges the battery while the car is parked, and powers the climate control and other systems.
1.8 inches shorter, 0.8 inches wider and 2 inches lower than before, it rides on a 2-inch longer wheelbase. It is built on Toyota’s latest stiffer, quieter, and more stable TNGA platform. A lower floor means that cabin space is not compromised. That also makes for a dynamically low centre of gravity.
Visually, new ‘hammerhead’ front light bar further emphasises the new Prius’ extra width. The new car retains that famous creased wedge shape, while the roof peak shifts further back. More purposeful looking 19-inch wheels contribute to a coupé-inspired stance.
A Comfy New Cabin
Prius’ cockpit has been revamped to focus on quality and driver comfort. A 7-inch digital display placed to minimise driver distraction, while the new central infotainment screen was nicked from the Corolla.
Toyota has sold 5 million Prius since 1997. They have helped cut carbon emissions by 82 million tonnes. The Prius Hybrid system is available in all most Toyota models sold today.
Images: Toyota