When you hear Prius probably the first thing that comes to mind is an eco fuel saving utility commuter vehicle. We've all ridden either in a taxi, Uber, Lyft that was a Prius since it's one of the most inexpensive and reliable vehicles to drive day in and day out but would you ever buy one? Well with the latest generation, I think a lot of you may really want to consider the New Prius not just for reliability but for style and driving dynamics.
Sporty Yet Comfortable
For this latest Prius, the goal was to create a vehicle that not only met the practical needs of today’s customers, but also had emotional appeal. Available in XLE AWD and Limited AWD grades in Canada, the 2023 Prius is built on the second-generation TNGA-C platform, offering a low centre of gravity with reduced weight and increased rigidity compared to the previous generation. The result? A wider stance and a lower driving position that feels nimble, yet comfortable.
Designed in Japan, the all-new Prius offers a style that is modern, progressive and understated from the inside out. With its piercing silhouette that evokes a level of aerodynamic flair, the new Prius lowers the roofline by 50 mm from the prior generation, for a more athletic look. Moving to the rear of the vehicle it is 20 mm wider, adding a dynamic look to its modern style.
The larger standard wheels also catch the eye – resulting in a sporty look while also that offers drivers added performance and handling. Additionally, the hip point is 30 mm lower than the previous generation Prius, while the battery placement is optimized for a low centre of gravity and enhanced luggage capacity.
Purpose-Built Performance
When it comes to performance, Prius is purpose-built. The new hybrid system enhances driving performance with increases to both engine and battery output. The acceleration feel and vehicle handling have also been enhanced, providing a driving feel and accelerator response unique to electrified vehicles.
Under the hood is the 5th generation hybrid powertrain coupled with a larger 2.0L engine and a newly developed lithium-ion battery, located underneath the rear seat. A standard Electronic On-Demand AWD system has been adopted which uses a motor to drive the rear wheels, enabling stable driving performance when starting off and when driving on slippery road surfaces such as snow. The newly developed lithium-ion battery pack offers a 15% increase in output compared to the previous generation Nickel Metal battery – reducing the size and the weight.
The result is an engaging acceleration experience with 196 horsepower and a 0-100 km/h time of 7.2 seconds (All-Wheel Drive models). This is a 28% improvement compared to the outgoing FWD model of 10 seconds. A high-output IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) motor has been adopted for the rear motor on AWD models, allowing for a compact design that enhances the low traction road climbing performance and the stability when turning.
Prius offers three drive modes – NORMAL, ECO and SPORT mode. In ECO mode, the drive force increase in response to accelerator operation is suppressed slightly to enable finer accelerator control and enhance the fuel economy. In POWER mode or SPORT mode, the drive force in the low-/mid-accelerator opening is increased to enhance throttle responsiveness.
Making the Grade
XLE AWD Grade
Standard Features:
19-inch alloy wheels
8-inch Toyota Multimedia
Wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto
Safety Connect, Service Connect (up to 10-yr trial), Remote Connect (3-yr trial)
6 USB-c ports
Electronic Parking Brake (EPB)
Softex heated leather steering wheel
Rain sensing wipers
Driver and front passenger heated seats
8-way power driver’s seat
Softex seats
Smart Key with Push Button Start
Direct light illumination
Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
Limited AWD Grade
XLE AWD Standard Features+:
12.3-inch Toyota Multimedia
3-yr Drive Connect trial (Cloud Navigation, Intelligent Assistant, Destination Assist)
JBL® Premium Audio System with 8 speakers
Fixed glass roof
8-way power driver’s seat with driver memory
Driver and front passenger heated and ventilated Seats
Rain sensing wipers
Qi wireless charger
Digital Key
Power back door
Advanced Park
Digital Rearview Mirror
Heated rear seats
Panoramic View Monitor
Front and Rear Parking Assist with Automatic Braking (PA w/AB)
Timestamp:
00:10 2022 Fourth Gen vs 2023 Fifth Gen
00:36 All New Design and Style
02:11 Not a Fan of the Underfloor
02:29 All New Interior
05:14 What's it like in the back?
06:20 A Quick Cruise in the old Prius
07:56 Driving the New Prius - What a Difference!
09:28 From 7-40 hp for Rear AWD Motor
10:12 Mini Drag Race
12:07 New Battery and More EV
13:10 Fuel Economy
15:57 Almost 200 hp Launch
17:15 Grades and Price
14:39 Tried and Tested
