The world's best-selling hybrid car is getting a makeover, we spotted the fifth and new generation Prius in Brussels, where Toyota is showcasing the future stars of its range for years to come.
With 5 million units sold since 1997, the Prius has led Toyota's hybrid lineup for nearly 30 years. The Japanese build their very divisive design with a traditional sedan look.
Description of the exterior and interior
Exterior
The dimensions change with the reduction of length and height and the smoothing of the surfaces.
The large 19-inch wheels and the inverted windshield reinforce the overall line, as does the new, very subtle light signature in the form of hooks.
Interior
The quality is accurate, the design is simple and neat, despite the many control buttons. We remain dissatisfied with the placement and reduced format (7'') of the digital instruments. Toyota also stays true to the old gear lever, which tends to disappear from this type of vehicle today.
New: LED interior lighting reacts to the traffic situation. For example, if the car in front of you runs a traffic light or traffic jam, the Prius signals that the road is clear.
The Japanese don't shy away from going all-digital with a 12.3-inch central touchscreen display with significantly higher performance and resolution.
It will still be possible to opt for a roof fitted with solar panels, which Toyota says can generate electricity for more than 1,000km per year.
For passengers, however, the new Prius blows hot and cold. The longer wheelbase provides plenty of legroom in the rear seats.
On the other hand, that simpler silhouette (-5cm tall) with the sunken windshield has its share of concerns. First, it reduces the driver's visibility. It then hurts headroom in the rear seats. An adult over 1.75 m rubs his head in the pavilion. To this we must add a small transmission tunnel that punishes the middle seat. The arrival of larger capacity batteries further reduces the volume of the trunk, the numbers of which have not yet been revealed.
Not a single hybrid in Europe
The new Prius will offer two types of mechanics: basic hybrid, paid hybrid, but not a hydrogen version as mentioned in the press a few weeks ago. This has been confirmed by Toyota.
In Europe, the company will market only the rechargeable version, whose electric range increases by 50% thanks to a battery with a larger capacity (the latter increases to 13.6 kWh from 8.8 that was before). According to the manufacturer, it should achieve "zero emissions" for 70 km. The two combustion and electric motors are placed side-by-side up front to produce 223 hp, almost double that of the current Prius.
So why not import the full hybrid version to Europe? We put the question to the producer, who makes two arguments. First, the simple hybrid offering in the compact class is already close to the Corolla or even the CH-R. Second argument: Toyota wants to make the Prius the "flagship of its plug-in hybrid technology" in Europe. This will automatically increase the account.
Given the engine and technologies on board, the bill is likely to exceed 40,000 euros. Respond a few months before the planned commercialization in France in the spring of 2023.
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