Flash Drive: 2023 Toyota Prius Hybrid

The High-Promoting Hybrid Will get a Makeover

If new, improved and higher are what make you content in life, then the all-new 2023 Toyota Prius may very well be what you’re searching for. The Toyota Prius has come a great distance because it debuted 22 years in the past, because the second hybrid automotive to be offered in america (after the primary technology Honda Perception). Its worldwide gross sales prime 6+ million, demonstrating its reputation.

Toyota assembled members of the media in Del Mar, California in early December, for the primary drives of what turns-out to be a considerably completely different Prius from the present mannequin. Search for a full Highway Take a look at assessment quickly on Clear Fleet Report. Till then, this Flash Drive is an introduction to the 2023 Prius.

New Powertrain, Elevated Effectivity

The 2023 Prius Hybrid is offered with a single electrical motor and front-wheel drive (FWD) or with twin motors for all-wheel drive (AWD). Each are mated to a 2.0-liter gasoline engine, operating on 87 octane, with a lithium-ion battery that replaces the nickel-metal battery from the earlier generations. Toyota says the lithium-ion battery is 15% extra environment friendly and weighs much less, each of that are key for getting excessive gasoline economic system and elevated driving vary. The wheels are pushed by an computerized transmission with three driver-selectable drive modes of Regular, Eco and Sport.

In a number of unofficial runs, the Prius AWD we had been driving, with twin motors and 196 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque, did 0-60 mph in about 7.0 seconds. Toyota lists the Prius FWD with a single motor going 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds, which is 2.6 seconds sooner than the outgoing mannequin. These occasions are loads quick to merge onto freeways and cross massive rigs.

Gas Economic system

Toyota has rated the 2023 Prius hybrid at between 50 and 57 miles per gallon (mpg), with the upper vary for the FWD fashions. The Prius hybrid makes use of regenerative braking, which converts kinetic power into electrical energy when braking or coasting, and returns it to the battery for later use. In our brief time driving the Prius AWD, the gasoline economic system sprint meter was studying 54 mpg. When Clear Fleet Report has the Prius for per week we are going to report actual world gasoline economic system, however we already know this can be a very environment friendly automotive.

Driving Impressions: Hitting the Highway

A pair hours behind the wheel on the media launch occasion was all we would have liked to really feel the enhancements to the 2023 Toyota Prius. Our time was spent on dry pavement negotiating San Diego County highways and metropolis visitors. As soon as a bit outdoors of city, there have been vast open nation roads that allowed us to push the velocity on corners to check the twin motors AWD system and Toyota’s front-rear torque distribution system.

Using wheel velocity sensors and G-force sensors, the Prius laptop system sends electrical alerts to the rear motor to regulate the rear wheel torque. Experimenting at completely different speeds and corners with completely different ranges of severity, this technique may very well be felt including grip at essential occasions in addition to decreasing understeer, or pushing, so discovering the nook apex was by no means an issue. The three,340-pound weight by no means produced physique roll, and the 195/50 all-season tires on 20-inch alloy wheels supplied confidence-building grip.

Redesigned Exterior

Staying away from hyperbole and overstating what Toyota designers have finished with the 2023 Prius, that is with out argument the best-looking Prius of all time. Aesthetically pleasing with an extended and wider stance, the profile is one related sweeping line from the tip of the hood to the rear spoiler. The primary time it’s seen up-close produces a light gasp, not essentially only for the design, however the realization Toyota might have finished this years in the past. Fairly than describe the design, take a couple of minutes to have a look at the pictures and get a grasp of what this actually “all-new Prius” has to supply. Once you see it in individual, the expertise will begin another time.

The 2023 Prius is offered in three trim ranges of LE, XLE and Restricted, with choices and have packages obtainable for every grade. Colour choices can be Wind Chill Pearl, Chopping Edge, Guardian Grey, Black, Supersonic Purple or Reservoir Blue.

Trendy Inside

The decrease stance ends in a decrease driving place, which provides an air of sportiness. Entrance visibility is sweet, however the swept-back windshield design creates a minor A-pillar blindspot. Rearward, the bifurcated rear window has been nixed within the new design, changed with a one piece glass leading to higher visibility.

The inside is clear and uncomplicated, with controls inside straightforward attain for the driving force. The sprint options two screens: a 7-inch multi-information gauge show situated behind the steering wheel, and both an 8-inch (LE) or 12.3-inch (XLE and Restricted) multimedia show. The multimedia system consists of navigation and SiriusXM/AM/FM radio with wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A JBL Premium Audio System with eight audio system and an amplifier is commonplace on the Restricted. The audio system usability would have been improved with a channel knob to accompany the amount knob. USB ports and Wi-Fi Join, with an AT&T hotspot, are commonplace on all fashions.

Wi-fi cellphone charging is commonplace on the XLE and Restricted grades, however not obtainable on the LE. The fastened glass roof is non-obligatory on the XLE grade.

The seats are trimmed in cloth on the LE however get SofTex artificial leather-based on the XLE and Restricted. The fronts are heated and ventilated (on the LImited solely) with energy changes on the 2 higher grades. The rear seats are heated on the Restricted grade solely. As with earlier Prius fashions, three adults can match within the 60/60 folding again seat, the place they get cup holders. When Clear Fleet Report has the 2023 Prius for per week or extra, we are going to report on the seat consolation after driving for a number of hours.

Security

The 2023 Prius is provided with superior driver help techniques (ADAS) of the Star Security System and Toyota Security Sense 3.0. Energetic and passive security options embody eight air baggage, car stability and traction management, brake help and blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert. The superior driver pre-collision expertise consists of lane departure alert, adaptive cruise management and pedestrian detection. Extra security options embody distant keyless entry, push button begin/cease, automated parallel parking and a tire strain monitoring system.

Warranties

• Complete – Three years/36,000 miles
• Powertrain – 5 years/60,000 miles
• Hybrid Parts – Eight years/100,000 miles

Pricing and Availability

There are three trims, with these base costs together with the necessary $1,095 supply payment.

                 $29,945 (AWD)

            $33,390 (AWD)

• Restricted – $35,560 (FWD)

                   $36,960 (AWD)

The 2023 Prius is arriving in North America sellers in early December 2022.

Observations: 2023 Toyota Prius Hybrid

It has taken some time, however Toyota has delivered a Prius that can make folks go “Ooooo!” The previous wedge form with harsh angles is gone, transitioning to a glossy and aerodynamic excessive mileage and really interesting hybrid automotive. The options on the 2023 Prius make it extremely fascinating, particularly for taking lengthy, gasoline environment friendly street journeys.

If the Prius over time has not been a consideration resulting from its design, these days are actually over. Go into your native Toyota seller and take the fully redesigned Prius for a prolonged check drive, getting a really feel for its efficiency, dealing with and inside consolation. For those who worth spending as little as potential on the fuel station, the 2023 Prius needs to be added to your buying checklist.

Be certain that to opt-in to the Clear Fleet Report e-newsletter (prime proper of web page) to be notified of all new tales and car critiques, together with our Prius driving assessment that can embody reporting on its efficiency, dealing with, experience and driving vary.

Story by John Faulkner. Photographs by John Faulkner and Toyota.

 Disclosure:

Clear Fleet Report is loaned free check autos from automakers to guage, sometimes for per week at a time. Our street exams are primarily based on this one-week drive of a brand new car. Due to this we don’t handle points resembling long-term reliability or whole value of possession. As well as, we are sometimes invited to producer occasions highlighting new autos or expertise. As a part of these occasions we could also be provided free transportation, lodging or meals. We do our greatest to current our unvarnished evaluations of autos and information irrespective of those inducements.

Our focus is on autos that provide the perfect gasoline economic system of their class, which leads us to emphasise electrical automobiles, plug-in hybrids, hybrids and diesels. We additionally function these environment friendly gas-powered autos which might be among the many prime mpg autos of their class. As well as, we intention to supply critiques and information on superior expertise and the choice gasoline car market. We welcome any suggestions from car homeowners and are devoted to offering a discussion board for different viewpoints. Please tell us your views at writer@cleanfleetreport.com.