The Toyota Prius hatchback will enter its fifth generation in 2023. It has transformed from possibly being the ugliest car on the market into a beautiful butterfly.
Toyota really has done a great job with this one, as it looks like a vehicle from the future. Almost as if the carmaker has been designing it for years.
Performance wise too, the new Prius has taken leaps as the new 2023 model has the highest horsepower of any Prius ever.
Toyota expects the 194-hp front-wheel-drive variant to achieve up to 57 mpg combined, which is also the best figure for a Prius.
A newly renovated cockpit embraces a more traditional approach to the driver's area arrangement, with larger screens and a more enticing feature set that includes available heated rear seats.
The new Prius has a low roofline, a wide width, and a low seating position, completing its transformation into a vehicle that appears well worth driving.
Toyota, which pioneered the hybrid movement, now competes with an array of vehicles, including its own Corolla Hybrid, as well as various hybrid SUVs that are readily available in the market now.
What to expect from the new Prius?
The Toyota Prius 2023 starts a new fifth generation that has been completely revamped and improved both inside and out.
Every Prius now rides on Toyota's next-generation TNGA-C platform, which makes it a lighter but more rigid eco-friendly compact with a wider stance and lower driving position.
A new 194-hp hybrid powertrain with available all-wheel drive has been installed; not only does the extra power make the Prius faster than many of its hybrid rivals, but it also comes at no cost to fuel economy.
The Toyota Prius, known for its remarkable fuel economy, keeps its green promise.
Its arsenal of safety devices and supplementary features is as impressive as its aversion to stopping for gas.
The base model has 17-inch wheels and blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert but with the high inflation rate and the import restrictions, we are not entirely sure about the price range it will be set at.
Engine and performance
The Toyota Prius lineup is led by a single powertrain, which is a 194-horsepower hybrid system with a 2.0-litre hybrid inline-four petrol engine derived from the Corolla Cross hybrid crossover and mated to a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).
The conventional drivetrain is front-wheel drive. Toyota adds a high-output permanent magnet electric motor to the back axle of the all-wheel-drive Priuses, increasing overall powertrain output to 196 horsepower, a 60% boost in power.
However, we are not entirely sure whether the all-wheel drive version will be available in our market or not.
The launch to 100 km/h, which took an arduous 10.5 seconds in last year's Prius, now takes just 7.1 seconds, according to numbers provided by Toyota.
That is faster than the Camry Hybrid and thanks to the larger front and rear brakes, you'll be driving with more confidence.
Interior
While the new fifth-generation Prius has a new look, its interior is more conservative, with a more classic cockpit. The Prius now includes a gauge cluster located behind the steering wheel for the first time.
The revised design influences the interior by lowering the roofline by 2.0 inches, and front passengers sit lower than before to influence a lower center of gravity.
The standard steering wheel is imitation leather, but upgrading to the XLE or above level unlocks heated front seats, extra cup holders for back passengers, and rear heated seats.
Both the base and higher-level variants have larger screens than the previous model. All the trim levels get a new 8.0-inch infotainment screen as standard, while the Limited gets a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen. (or as optional equipment for the upper spec versions).
This system incorporates "Hey Toyota" voice control.
The larger screen comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as Wi-Fi.
Verdict
Honestly, the name Prius never really generated much interest in the car community, even with its recent seven-seater Prius Alpha, as practical as these vehicles might be, the name was synonymous with boring.
However, that is sure to change with the fifth-generation model. This looks like it's from the future and has taken strides in terms of performance as well.
Now that Toyota has retired the Premio and Allion, known as the national cars of Bangladesh, the Prius could be the perfect replacement for those.
