Price (as tested) đź’˛: $34,095/ $38,595
Powertrain ⚙️: 2.0-liter 4-Cylinder + 2 Motor Generators + Lithium-ion Battery
Output đź’Ş: 194-196 hp/215 lb-ft of torque
Transmission đź•ą: Continuously Variable Transmission
0-60 MPH 🚦: 7.0-7.2 seconds
Top Speed đź’Ą: 112 mph
MPG (as tested) ⛽️: 49-52 city/50-52 hwy/49-52 combined
Curb weight ⚖️: 3,164-3,340 lbs
Even with all the left lane hogging and stop light delays Priuses (Pri-i?) have put me through, I have a soft spot in my heart for this car.
The third generation, in particular, sold me on the efficiency play. It wasn’t fast, but it could take abuse, was styled inoffensively, and returned mid-40s mpg almost regardless of driving style.
The 4th generation tripped over itself on its way out the door, but that may have been a low bar for this all-new model to leap over.
And boy does it leap – gracefully, athletically, efficiently – over everyone’s expectations. It doesn’t look good for a Prius, it just looks good. Period.
Inside, the available 12-inch touchscreen and twin-panel glass roof is nifty, but the cabin is largely ho-hum. Except for that driver cockpit, which has an unfortunate resemblance to the bZ4XYZ that has the wheel sitting in the lap of taller drivers.
I can forgive the ergonomic misstep, however, because a 75hp gain compared to gen 4, a Prius-best 57 combined mpg rating, and dynamics that genuinely don’t suck give the 2023 Prius that smooth finish to its stylish start.
Join Miles in the 2023 Toyota Prius in Cutting Edge/Reservoir Blue with all Black/Grey Leatherette as he shares his expert driving impressions.