2022 Los Angeles Auto Show the all-new fifth generation Toyota Prius and Prius Prime made their world debut showing off sexy new design, the bar raised for technology and safety, and a major boost in power, efficiency and range.
The most fuel-efficient Prius ever with up to a 57 combined mpg and a plug-in Prime model with 50% more EV range, it gets what could be the most handsome design yet. With what Toyota calls a One-Motion Silhouette, the 2023 Prius looks less art project and more a work of art.
The lines are sharper and more taut than before, more down to business and likely appealing to a wider set of eyes. Riding on the second-generation TNGA-C architecture, it’s 1-inch longer, 2-inches lower and 1-inch wider and rides on a collection of wheels ranging from 17 to 19-inches depending on the trim grade.
LED lighting with a sharp presentation shows up both front and rear. One notable shift is that the Prius and plug-in Prius Prime models now share a more common design ethos rather than having unique bodywork and details as before.
The cabin is just as futuristic and forward looking in its design as ever, adopting the more contemporary movement to a large center screen for infotainment and conventional instrument cluster ahead of the driver – eschewing the non conforming center dash display of the previous four generations of Prius.
An 8-inch infotainment touchscreen is standard and a 12.3-inch fully featured system is available on top trims. A JBL Premium Audio System with 8 speakers is standard on the top trims. Both systems feature a healthy list of standard features and functionality however most of the best features are unfortunately subscription based instead of natively provided.
Interior materials and colors vary widely depending on whether you get the Prius in its LE, XLE and Limited or the Prius Prime in sportier collections in the SE, XSE and XSE. In all, the 2023 Toyota Prius appears to continue bringing its familiar vibe of futuristic flair with real life livability.
With an all-new body structure and we are told lighter weight overall, fuel economy, performance and handling are said to be improved. Powering both the Prius and Prius Prime is an up-sized 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, two-motor hybrid transmission and finally a standard lithium-ion battery located underneath the rear seat.
Prius now has 194 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds for FWD, over two seconds quicker than before. Prius AWD has 196 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds thanks to the addition of a new high-output rear motor. Fuel-economy is as much as 57 mpg combined for the LE FWD model, others will be slightly less.
Stepping up to the Prius Prime with it’s larger and more powerful lithium-ion battery under the back seat, gets you a boost to 220 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds with FWD only. That’s over 100 horsepower more than before and EV range is increased at least 50% over the 25 mile range of the last generation. That puts it just under 40 miles now if you do the math.
This is aided by a solar roof panel that can recharge the Prius Prime battery when it’s parked. They can also boost power to accessories that usually pull EV range down like climate control, audio and the like.
Also new for the 2023 Toyota Prius family are a new level of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 passive aggressive safety systems – a list way too long to list here. Suffice it to say standard and available are virtually all of the latest greatest of technologies that will allow you to scroll on your phone a little safer while behind the wheel.
Pricing and the on-sale date the 2023 Toyota Prius will be announced late in 2022. Sale price and availability of the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime will be announced we are told in the first half of 2023.