Volvo Introduces the 2025 EX30
Volvo’s 2025 EX30 might just be the bite-size electric crossover that catapults Volvo’s sales into new territory. In addition to a trove of pictures and details, we also have the…
Toyota finally decided that it was time to give the Prius a new lease on life, one that would shed its reputation as the ugly hybrid for old people. The all-new 2023 Toyota Prius looks radically different than any Prius before it, with sleek and, dare we say it, sexy styling. Its interior receives a more premium feel and layout, while the new hybrid system provides a significant boost in power. Available in front- and all-wheel drive (and next year, a new plug-in hybrid Prime model), we have driven both and can report back that the majority of these changes paid off in big ways.
The biggest news for the 5th generation Prius is that it can no longer be labeled a weird or ugly car. In fact, it may not even be a stretch to call this the stylish option in the hybrid world now. Its closest competitor, the Kia Niro, also took a more design-forward approach for its latest generation, and it makes sense. Dedicated hybrids like these two have faded into the background for consumers since the boom in public interest (or strong dis-interest) in full electric cars. They need something to make them relevant, even if the technology underneath has advanced so much over the years. Toyota says this Prius was targeted at younger buyers who don’t want to go all-in on EVs, so it had to look palatable. We’d say they overshot the runway in all the right ways.
Instead of tall and awkward like the last one, the 2023 Prius takes on a sleeker cab-rearward wedge shape. From the sharp and clean nose to the end of the trunk lid, there is a smooth arch forming a shape that is both attractive and premium. Toyota hid the rear door handles into the higher portion of the door where the greenhouse ends, giving it an almost coupe-like persona from certain angles. The kink at the bottom of the front door that draws a sharp body line diagonally up through the side gives it character and depth. The wheels are the largest ever offered on a Prius – 19 inches. They are only 195 mm in width, though, making them some of the narrowest in the industry. Overall, the Prius is 1 inch wider, 1 inch longer and 2 inches shorter in height than the car it replaces.
Out back, designers finally got rid of the separate glass opening at the the top of the trunk lid that was introduced in generation three. The horizontal light bar and overall design is reminiscent of the new Nissan Z. Prius is spelled out loud and proud just below that, while further down is the first implementation of the brand’s ‘Beyond Zero’ badge. This will live on all hybrids, PHEVs and electric bZ models going forward.
The interior is another pretty major step forward for Prius. A combination of the bZ4X and the Crown, it is a much more premium atmosphere than it needs to be. Save for a few plastics and the mish-mash of layers higher in the dash and on the door panels, everything looks and feels pretty nice. The steering wheel and instrument cluster require you to set the column as low as it will go, as you are supposed to view the cluster above the top of the wheel, not through it. If you’re 5′ 9″ or taller, it works just fine. Shorter people will find it ergonomically difficult.
Ambient lighting (blue-only, unfortunately) adds some visual flare at night, while the optional dual-pane moonroof brightens things up. The glass doesn’t open, but there are two manual shades to block out the sun if needed. The automatic climate control is single-zone only, which is somewhat of a letdown when you consider the top Limited trim can climb to the mid-$30k range. Passenger space is a bit less overall this time around because of the svelte new shape. If you’re less than the height of the average adult male in the U.S. (5′ 10″), the rear seat is actually accommodating. Brian had no problem back there, but Alex’s head had to tilt to the side in order to sit up straight. Heated rear seats are optional, though there are no air vents to cool passengers off.
The final big change for the Prius is a new hybrid powertrain. This is the same one found on the updated 2023 Corolla Hybrid – a 2.0L 4-cylinder engine and, finally, a lithium-ion battery stored underneath the rear seat. All-wheel drive will be available once again, but with a much more potent electric motor providing thrust to the rear axle that remains on-demand at all speeds. Front-wheel drive models produce 194 horsepower and get up to 57 mpg combined, while all-wheel drive ones produce 196 horsepower. Before now, the previous would get to 60 mph ‘eventually’. Now, it takes as low as 7.0 seconds to do the deed if you select AWD. That enough should make the Prius worth it for conquest buyers.
Any way you slice it, the new Toyota Prius is way more fun than the outgoing model. Whether it’s straight-line speed or handling, this car feels more engaging. The fastest model, the one with all-wheel drive, will get to 60 mph in seven seconds flat. The previous car did it….eventually. We don’t have any 60-0 mph stopping distances yet, but since most versions weigh over 3,100 pounds and all ride on 195 mm-wide tires, this will likely take a bit longer than its biggest rival, the Kia Niro. That car may also out-handle the Prius, as its top trim rides on much wider tires.
Something to keep in mind when driving the 2023 Prius that you really didn’t have to consider as much before is the comparison between it and the other low-cost Toyota hybrids on sale. The Corolla and Camry, in particular, draw some noteworthy comparisons. The Corolla Hybrid costs less and is less powerful, but has similar MPG and better rear seat headroom. The Camry Hybrid is a hair more powerful and expensive, but gets over 50 mpg and is much more accommodating for passengers. It also has wider tires, so it could prove to be more enjoyable behind the wheel. The Prius certainly feels more modern than either one, as it has Toyota’s latest interior design ethos. The problem lies in cabin noise, where this may prove to be a little bit louder than the Camry out on the road. This does not feel like a Civic Si or an Elantra N-Line, or even some versions of the Mazda3, but the fact that we can even talk about those vehicles in the same sentence as a Prius really tells you something about the direction Toyota has taken it.
Now, as far as fuel economy goes, we averaged between about 43 and 52 miles per gallon on our preliminary drives with the car. Color us a little disappointed that the Prius, in both EPA ratings and real-world driving, did not blow the larger Camry out of the water. This design seems to emphasize aerodynamics, but it actually got less slippery through the air this generation. The previous Prius obviously sold on high fuel economy and extreme cargo practicality in the back, and while the new one isn’t as generous in regards to the latter, it is still a good reason to choose this over similarly-sized options. Thanks to the higher horsepower numbers and, of course, excellent fuel economy, clearly the Prius is no GR Corolla, but if you’re shopping for a Mazda 3, you might be surprised by the driving dynamics here. That statement is mind blowing on its own.
At the end of the day, the only reason you wouldn’t want the new Toyota Prius over the outgoing one is if you need tall people to ride in your back seat frequently or if you appreciated the amount of cargo space it granted you. The new one is certainly less passenger- and cargo-focused, but we believe the design that came from that decision was totally worth it. We will no longer hesitate to recommend the Prius because of its exterior image. If it’s better packaging you want, the Kia Niro or the upcoming Corolla Cross Hybrid might be better choices for you (though only the Toyota will offer AWD). If it’s a stylish and practical liftback sedan with over 50 mpg and agreeable driving dynamics you so desire, put the 2023 Toyota Prius at the top of your shopping list.
Going on sale in January, the 2023 Prius will come in three simplified grades – LE, XLE and Limited. LE front-wheel drive models will start at $27,450, while the top Limited trim will cost you $34,465. Need all-wheel drive? That will add another $1,400 and is available on all three grades. This explains why the 2023 Corolla Hybrid stops at the SE trim, so Toyota could nudge customers up into the more stylish and practical 2023 Prius. We think, at least at first gander, it is absolutely worthy of your hard-earned cash.
