Toyota’s latest Prius has been on the market since 2015. In seven years, a lot has happened, and it’s time for a new version of the world’s best economic vehicle. The new 2023 Prius looks nothing like any prior iteration of the tiny hybrid; it’s unique, to say the least. Whether you like the looks or not, there’s more power than before, higher economy at 57 combined miles per gallon, and an AWD option from the start.
The 2023 Prius retains front-wheel drive as standard and produces 194 horsepower from a 2.0-litre normally aspirated engine and a hybrid powertrain. Yes, even the Prius now has over 200 horsepower. Toyota has finally left the stone age in terms of power electronics, discarding the nickel metal hydride battery in favour of a more energy-dense lithium-ion unit behind the back seats. Because the new battery discharges faster, more electricity can be transferred to the ground as well as the optional electric back axle. On paper, this adds only two horsepower to the AWD Prius’ output. The latest Prius AWD-e system adds seven horsepower, implying that the rear electric motor delivers more power than Toyota claims.
As a consequence, the standard Prius now accelerates to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. The AWD variant completes the same run in seven seconds flat, which is comparable to the performance of a previous-generation Toyota 86 sports car. It’s a good thing the new one is more powerful.
The 2023 Prius is two inches lower and one inch wider than its predecessor, but no information on its length was provided. It’s also lighter, more rigid, and has a lower centre of gravity thanks to its redesigned base. When you combine the new appearance with the emphasis on performance, it appears like Toyota is attempting to shed part of the car’s econobox reputation. It’s still extremely fuel-efficient, with the company estimating 57 mpg combined, but no breakdown of city and highway efficiency has been provided.
The interior of the car has also been altered, though not as significantly as the exterior. On the dashboard, there’s a free-floating touchscreen for infotainment that’s moderately well-integrated. It measures 8 inches on lower-trim LE vehicles and up to 12.3 inches on higher-trim XLE and Limited vehicles. The images above depict a higher-trim vehicle. Thank you for keeping the physical climate control buttons.
Wireless connectivity features All grades have Android Auto and Apple Carplay, as well as six USB-C charging connections. If you want heated seats, you’ll need to upgrade to the XLE model. The Limited specification, which includes ventilated seats and a stronger sound system, is required if you want to heat all four seats as well as the steering wheel.
A Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection is standard, as are radar cruise control, lane departure warning and lane tracking, and automatic high beams.
