Tuesday, September 19, 2023

2023 Toyota Prius Limited: No Longer A Fuel-Efficient Ugly Duckling

Highlight: According to fueleconomy.gov, the Toyota Prius LE has a fuel driving range of 644 miles.

Test Vehicle's MSRP: $37,445 (Base Model – LE): $28,545

Seating Capacity: 5

Standard Safety Features: air bags; ABS; a radar-activated cruise control system; a pre-collision system with pedestrian protection; a lane departure alert system with steering wheel assist; a brake assist system; an electronic blind spot monitor system with rear cross traffic alert; a hill start control assist system; a heated power outside folding mirrors; a backup camera; and a tire pressure monitoring system


Standard Equipment (Base LE): 17-inch wheels; cloth seats; manual adjustable seats; a manual tilt/telescopic steering wheel; USB charging ports; a 6-speaker SiriusXM audio system; active grille shutters; center front storage with an armrest; a cargo area tonneu cover; and Wi-Fi connect

Standard Equipment (Limited): 19-inch wheels; rain sensing wipers; leather-like seats; power driver’s seat with memory and two settings; heated and ventilated front seats; a heated steering wheel; access vehicle via smartphone; wireless smartphone charging; an automatic dimming rearview mirror; a 12-inch multimedia infotainment screen; two rear cup holders; front and rear parking assist with automatic braking;

Options: carpeted floor mats; a limited premium package; heated rear seats; and a digital rearview mirror

Other Trim Levels:

XLE

Standard Audio On Test Vehicle: an 8-speaker audio system with AM/FM/HD with SiriusXM

Bluetooth Connectivity: Standard

USB Connectivity: Standard

Apple/Android Connectivity: Standard

Bumper-to-Bumper Warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles


Powertrain Warranty:  3 or 36,000 miles

Engine/Horsepower: a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder/150-horsepower (hybrid powertrain)

Recommended Fuel: regular

Standard Fuel Mileage: 57-city/56-hwy (test model)

What’s New: The fuel sipping hybrid is all-new for the 2023 model year, wearing an all-new stylish design, while being driven by a new powertrain.


Why:

A front wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration

Stylish design

A fresh and modern interior design and layout

Roomy vehicle

Load of technology

A high level of safety driving aids

A variety of trims

Fuel efficient

Heated and ventilated front seats

Heated rear seats

A heated steering wheel

A 360-degree camera available

A plug-in model available

Simple, but thoughtful interior layout

But: 

Still feels underpowered

Sporty appearance, but its no racecar

The infotainment system can be somewhat frustrating to navigate, since we have to rely on the voice activated system to operate such features as the audio system

Toyota also requires users to set up a profile

The navigation system requires a subscription

Verdict: For those of us who have been around for a while, the all-new Prius exterior styling cues are reminiscent of the Dodge Intrepid of the nineties. It borrows from Chrysler’s popular cab forward design, which embodied roominess and style. However, the Prius has a shorter overhang (or wheelbase).

The compact Prius is available in three trims in either a front-wheel drive or an all-wheel drive configuration. It also contains a high level of standard safety features.

The sexy vehicle is power by a new fuel-sipping hybrid engine that inks out upward of 644 miles on full tank of gas, with its 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine. Thus, this boosts the mpg by 5 miles, when compared to a comparable 2022 Prius. As it relates to the driving experience, one is immediately reminded that like the previous Prius this year’s model is no sports car. In fact, the driving experience is uneventful.

Moreover, this year’s interior and interior gauge layout evolves from a somewhat odd futuristic design to one that’s modern, eye-appealing, but still fresh. While we appreciate the new layout in terms of the gear selector to the design of the driver’s gauges, we still aren’t a fan of Toyota’s voice operated control needed to adjust the complicated infotainment system.

Furthermore, depending upon the trim selected, one can equip the vehicle with such features as a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats to heated rear seats to a radar-activated cruise control system.

Overall, the new Prius exudes loads of sexiness despite the driving experience being what one expects from a typical compact vehicle. Its designed to get one from point A to B safely.

Competition:  Hyundai Elantra Hybrid Blue and Kia Niro hybrid

 

1 comment:

Motor Mazad said...

The safety features in this Prius Limited are also impressive, especially for those considering it at a car auction in the UAE. From the pre-collision system with pedestrian protection to the electronic blind spot monitor system, it's clear that Toyota is committed to keeping both drivers and pedestrians safe on the road.

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