This week, Toyota wowed many observers with a leaner facelift of the Prius. The 2023 Prius Prime, the plug-in hybrid vehicle, is also receiving a new appearance as well as several other improvements. For starters, Toyota claims that a bigger lithium-ion battery would increase the previous model’s EV range of 25 miles by more than half (i.e. to at least 37.5 miles). As a result, you’ll be able to do longer excursions before running out of petrol.
The solar roof is another interesting aspect. When the Prius Prime is parked, these panels may recharge the battery. When driving, the solar roof may supply supplementary power to features like as air conditioning, reducing the burden on the lithium-ion battery. Toyota also says that the solar panels’ electrodes are hidden to maintain the plug-in hybrid’s elegant appearance. “A focus for Prius Prime is to allow it to have a similar ethos to the new Prius hybrid model, but with a little something extra — more performance, technology, safety and even a little attitude,” the automaker said.
Toyota says that the 2023 model is lighter and more robust than prior models, with a lower centre of gravity and increased baggage capacity. The car is two inches lower, an inch broader, and an inch longer than the preceding Prius Prime, with a roughly an inch lower hip point as well.
Toyota claims that the fifth-generation hybrid powertrain and 2.0-litre engine assist produce a horsepower boost of roughly 100 hp over the previous-generation vehicle to 220 hp. The car seems to be capable of accelerating from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds.
The Prius Prime, like the standard Prius, offers both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Toyota’s Intelligent Assistant allows you to use voice commands to search for directions, adjust music settings, modify cabin temperatures, and more. The Cloud Navigation system utilises the most recent map, traffic, and route information to assist you in determining how to get to your destination. Alternatively, you may contact a live representative using Destination Assist.
Other features include an eight-speaker JBL Premium Audio system and six USB-C connections. As part of the Remote Connect service, certain trims have a digital key system that allows you to lock and unlock doors, start the engine, and perform other things with your phone.
Aside from that, all trims of the Prius Prime come standard with a Blind Spot Monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking is optional on SE models and standard on XSE and XSE Premium models. Those who choose the XSE Premium trim will be able to employ a Panoramic Picture Monitor feature, which provides a live rotating 360-degree view surrounding the car, as well as a hands-free system to assist with parallel parking and backing into a parking spot.
Although Toyota will announce the price and availability for the regular Prius before the end of the year, Prius Prime will have to wait a little longer. The plug-in hybrid will be priced and available for purchase in the first half of 2023, according to the manufacturer.
