(ON CAM) Yes, this is the new Toyota Prius,
it looks great but that’s just the start. It has the windshield rake of a Lamborghini, a
voice-based interface system similar to luxury German brands, and the fuel economy of
a Toyota Prius. Because it is a Prius, the new 2023 model, the 5th
generation. It’s as good looking as the outgoing version was awkward.
(ON CAM) The fifth generation Prius is not just about design, overall it's a much better
vehicle. It’s more powerful, it's more efficient, it has better tech. It goes from being a
punchline to a pretty desirable vehicle . I’m at an manufacturer’s event outside
of San Diego, CA for a full debrief on all that’s new. This is not a skin-deep review.
(SOUND UP) For a car with such an iconic role in the Toyota lineup, we knew we had to make
a statement, and I'd say that our designer engineering team definitely delivered.
True. Considering the damage gen 4 did to eyeballs, this needed to be a grand slam
to keep the Prius branding relevant since it’s not available as a pure EV. Pricing?
The LE will start at $27,450 and XLE will start at $30,895, and for those who want
everything that Prius has to offer the top trim Limited grade with all-wheel drive
will be very well equipped at $35,865. (SOUND UP)
GFX- Add $1,095 for delivery on all models There’s so much to get to. For starters, a
guest star! (ON CAM) All right a special treat, Ryan Douthit is my co pilot. Hi there,
how’s everyone doing? Let’s do this. GFX- 2023 Prius has a 0.27
Cd vs 0.24 for 2022 models Let’s hit the basics first. Truly all new,
it’s built on the TNGA-C platform. The roof is two-inches lower, width and length are
up by about 1, wheelbase longer by 2. More attractive to the eye, it’s less so to the
wind, aero efficiency drops a skosh. All three trims can be had with all-wheel drive, a
bargain at 1,400 bucks. Prius Prime, arriving in the summer of 2023 should have more than the
current model’s 25 miles of all electric range. The 4-cylinder is a larger 2-liter running the
Atkinson cycle plus there’s a torquier electric drive motor, that’s up some 20% from 120 to 152
lb.-ft. Net horsepower is up a whopping 60%. Total for the system is 194 horses for front drivers,
Toyota doesn’t offer total torque figurers. It rises a couple to 196 HP for AWD powertrains.
Interesting, considering the motor that drives the back tires gets a substantial boost to 40
horsepower, the old one was 7. The lithium-ion battery with 14% more output is under here.
GFX- LE FWD is manufacturer rated at 57 city / 56 hwy / 57 comb
XLE/Limited FWD 52/52/52 LE AWD 53/54/54
XLE/Limited AWD 49/50/49 Generally, it’s silent running on start, the
engine might fire up in colder conditions. The eCVT has no kind of synthetic shift
points and there are no steering wheel pedals to adjust regeneration drag, that’s
done here. I’ve always found “EV Mode”, that offers short low speed electric travel, to
be kind of useless. Drive modes adjust steering weight and throttle mapping. Subtly. There’s no
head up display, the gauge cluster is up high enough to keep eyes on the road.
GFX- Toyota says a FWD Prius should do 0-60 runs in 7.2 seconds.
Ryan and I snag the top trim AWD Limited in optional Wind Chill Pearl. It’s Toyota-rated
efficiency is the lowest, due to extra weight and 19-inch alloys. Still, 49 MPG average is
impressive. The fuel sipper is the front-drive LE rolling on 17 inchers at 57 miles per gallon, the
volume model XLE scores 52. So Prius still does Prius efficiency things and owners can hyper-mile
without a paper bag over their heads now. Plus, with AWD, it sprints to 60 miles an hour in
7 seconds flat. Nearly 3 seconds quicker. One of the things I was wondering about when
I saw the pictures of this was how visability would be with the A pillar since it's really
raked back. It's not bad it does kind of block your view. They pack so much into these modern
vehicles with all the electronics and the airbags, and all that stuff, these just aren't thin
anymore so when you have this raking, there’s this visual block in front of you, however they
do have this nice little glass piece down here with A pillar to wing mirror immediately yeah a
little gap. At least feel like you can see. Yeah. The vanity in me really appreciates the new
exterior design. I feel a lot better about driving this car. The old one was just so fugly, it was,
it was hideous. The proportions were wrong. I mean it might've been more aerodynamic. The cD
was better than even this vehicle there that actually gives this one a little bit more wind
resistance, but I think that that is worth it if you don't drive around with your head, you know
behind the steering wheel is low as you can go. Yeah because you don't wanna be seen in it.
I also think it's interesting that the folks at the event this morning kind of
admitted that. Yeah! Whhhhaaat? It takes a lot for the manufacture to even agree ever and that it
was maybe not the best design they’ve ever done. I'm putting my foot hard end of the throttle there's a little bit of that rubberbanding
dynamic but it's not bad. No. So we haven't hit any freeway yet but at 55 miles
an hour you can tell by the audio quality this is a fairly quiet car. Yeah it's not a Lexus, not
meant to be. No I can hear a little bit of wind noise up in the front, I think that’s tire
noise, it might be tire noise because this is on the 19 inch wheels. Yeah if you get the LX
you get the 17 inch wheels which actually provide better economy than the 19s. That's part of the
reason why the higher end trims have less economy. It's 49 mpg, like I would live with less economy
to get a more satisfying car. So the LE with 17 inch wheels 57 in the city, 56 highway. OK
all right so that’s 8 MPG, I would go for the opulent car, that's also the all wheel drive,
the absolute best Prius you can get, and yeah it's less economical but it's a lot more satisfying.
I think as you get older as we are Tom, these little amenities like seat heaters and
coolers, you know, cars that are a little bit quieter, these kind of things when you're in your
20s and 30s, it’s like, it'll be fine. But when you’re the older you say no, I’m not putting
up with that. So even though this loaded one is mid 30s, you don't have to spend that much
money to get you know this kind of economy and these kids of looks. Yeah, it’s a good look.
This road that we're on is kind of winding and gotta say this handles pretty well. Also,
there's a really nice weight to the steering, it's just about perfect, not something I would
normally think about when I think about Prius. Never! I know we keep going back to that.
Looks like I can't believe this is a Prius Toyota is trying to up its game there. Yeah,
didn't Akio Toyota say that he wanted like performance across-the-board, everything needed
to handle well now. No more dialing it in and saying well you have economy, great. Yeah they are
trying to sharpen things up a bit and it shows. Generation 5 has excellent brake feel, smoothly
transitioning from regenerative to the physical brakes which are slightly larger now. Visibility
is generally good forward and to the side, to rear it’s kind of a slit. Thankfully
there’s the improved Toyota Safety Sense 3 A-DAS system. I’ll let the Toyota folks take that.
Blindspot monitor and rear cross traffic alert is standard on all grades. In addition to all
of these features Prius will have lane change assist and cross traffic alert. Lane change works
with lane changing assist and operates when the dynamic radar cruise control is operating. When
the driver partially engages the turn signal, the vehicle monitor determines the new vehicles
in the path of the lane change. The system provides steering support into the new lane. Now
driver’s hands must remain on the steering wheel. Front cross traffic alert uses the vehicles
front quarter radar sensors to alert the driver with visual and audible alerts about vehicles
approaching from the side at an intersection Allow me to heap more praise on the Prius. It
looks better in here. Materials are more appealing to eyes and fingers. This iridescent LED lighting
distracts from faux carbon fiber. For comparison, here’s the outgoing cabin. See what I mean? I
hear from smaller journalists that this extreme rake makes entry a little less convenient and
visibility-wise the A pillar bothered Ryan more than me, that’s what test drives are for.
Headroom is reduced about an inch-and-a-half front and back, interior space is down by 2 cubic
feet. Limited models get heated and vented seats that Toyota claims are redesigned for better
support, they’re covered in SofTex material, leather is not a thing in Prius. Same
goes for this which is heated. Visually, it’s kind of heavy with lots of buttons.
The driver’s looking at a lot dashboard since it’s deep to accommodate the
dramatic glass. The climate is single zone. There are the usual places to stash
things, many of them are on the small side. GFX- Toyota Drive and Remote Connect
services are complimentary for one year. (ON CAM) The new multimedia interface is so much
better than the outgoing one. It doesn’t really have a home screen it relies a lot on natural
voice prompts like “Hey Toyota I need directions to In-N-Out Burger”. I found 15 results one is one
(unintelligible) Would you like to go to that one? Yes, and can you explain why
their fries are so awful? Apparently not. So you do need a data
plan with this, there is an initial trial, but after that there is a monthly fee.
Originally, I thought this was the Qi charge pad and was going to grouse about
the poor ergonomics but then realized, the charger is here and extremely well done.
On top of that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are wireless. Phone-as-key is optional on XLE.
Prius can be had with a self-parking feature and a digital rear view mirror. Generation 4 had
a rear wiper, that’s gone now, sadly. There are a number of easter eggs, and Toyota isn’t
being dramatic with “reborn”. It really is. The only busy part of the design is this, better
than the C-HR though. Uber riders will find the release pad has little travel and feels firm.
GFX- Ryan at 6’1” found the headroom to be a bit tight
A quick check in the backseat, I’m 5 foot nine and even though the roof slopes back
I’ve got that much headroom, that’s not bad. Knee, leg, and foot room are generous. The cushions are
high enough so that I’ve got thigh support. The door openings are a little on the small side
if you’re getting car seats in and out often. Pockets, those are pretty small. No adjustable
vents or separate climate zone. At least I can charge my phone. No pocket on this side. My evil
twin brother would not like that. An umbrella, I feel right at home. This is the Limited,
heated seats are an option on this model. The bench is wide enough so you could put three
adults back here for a short trips across town but I would keep it to two. That way, you can
have a cup of coffee or a refreshing beverage. Analyzing the new sheet metal, the cabin is pushed
back from the nose. The windshield flows directly into the hood with only a slight angle change. I
talked to the chief engineer about the unusually clean-looking front end (I mean for Toyota) and he
confirmed this is a styling language for the brand going forward. Thank the design Gods. The Synergy
Drive badge is replaced by the new Beyond Zero dot. No more blue glow inside the logo either that
signaled hybrid powertrains. Kind of a Lexus thing happening with the lettering here. The kick in the
lower flanks streams into the rear fascia cut line for harmony. It all flows nicely. Generation four
had none of that. Need a reminder of that riot of randomness? Here ya go. I find no glee in calling
someone’s baby ugly, I’m just truly perplexed how it made it past the first consumer clinics.
(ON CAMERA) As always on events, no TP trunk test. Besides it’s 6:45 in
the morning, I don’t think they’re open. Only Limited gets a powered liftgate, it’s
not kick-to-open. It and XLE models get this divider that eats into cargo room, no,
that’s not cheap Styrofoam. No spare tire, just a repair kit. It’s easy to mold bag hooks
into here, wish there were some. Dropping the seats without going to the back door isn’t
a stretch. As far as cubic feet go, I’ll guestimate the top models have around 45 of them
to fill in this configuration, notice the floor is nice and flat. Seats up it’s just over 20 cubes,
nearly 24 for the base LE. So ultimately, it’s an average of 3 cubic feet smaller now. Personally,
I find that a small price to pay for the svelte looks. The utility should be serviceable for
everyday use. And the security cover is easy to stash when not needed. My time with Prius
was short but let’s do Red Light Green Light Green Light- The design is a win.
Nothing more to say there. Toyota gave the interior team a better budget to
work with. Efficiency can be best in class, a critical bragging right for Prius.
Every part of the driving experience is better. Give the engineers a raise.
The ugly duckling becomes a swan. Seriously. Better materials and a more
conventional cabin layout Up to 57 MPG with noticeably more power
Still efficient but now with decent driving dynamics
Yellow Light- The swept styling comes with a bump in price. The new Toyota interface is vastly
improved but will require a monthly subscription fee after a year. There’s improved safety tech
that should help with poor rearward visibility. About $1,000 more than Generation 4, not bad
Improved connectivity will cost, plans start at $8 mo / $80 year
The rear view is a slit. Yay for blind spot detection.
Red Light- For some, the styling will impact entry, exit, headroom
and visibility. Cargo room is down too. Toyota continues to drag it’s feet when it comes to
full electrification but that’s a separate issue. Dramatic design may impact usability for some
Uber drivers will have less trunk room Nope, this is not a full EV, and won’t be
There is the baggage of the outgoing model. But once people see this in person, the
frumpy reputation should melt away. If it weren’t such a valuable nameplate, Toyota
could have easily called this something else. (ON CAM) So I don’t know about you, but
much better looking, better handling, better performance, better efficiency, that’s kind
of a win for me. And also better infotainment. It’s a much better vehicle and you
won’t be embarrassed to drive it. Fugly no more, the 5th generation Prius is a huge
leap forward, and in many ways, the best vehicle Toyota makes. When it hits the market in January
of 2023, it will turn heads and perceptions. Normally, I interface with a number of people
and gauge the reaction of a new model. This trip I was seriously pressed for time. But
the few that did check it out had a strong reaction. Along the lines of “THAT”S A PRIUS”
(ON CAM) Once again, special thanks to Ryan Douthit from Driving Sports TV. We should really
do this again. Yeah I think in Washington state. Yes, come out to my off-road course. That would be
great. That would be great and watch his channel, he does good work. You do too Tom. I try.
A reminder that I attended this event courtesy of Toyota. It paid for my travel,
hotel room and fed me good food. But you know that I’m a straight shooter with you.
That’s your first look at the all-new 2023 Toyota Prius. Before I go let me address
something, there are people out there that feel like this should have been an all-electric
vehicle. I highly disagree. Prius equals hybrid, that is marketing gold, auto makers dream of that
kind of branding. If Toyota is going to do a pure EV it needs to come up with another name plate
and I don’t think that Bz4X is that, OK? It’s just kind of cumbersome. And I did talk to the chief
engineer, he said that there was some thought of turning thi s into an electric vehicle and then
they decided against it. I think that’s wise. Thanks for watching remember subscribe to
this channel, click notifications follow me on social media ad if you have a question leave
in the comments. That’s Driven I’m Tom Voelk.
