As anticipated in previous articles, the new Toyota Prius 2023 has been unveiled in Japan today and will also be exhibited at the Automobility LA show on November 17. It will be exclusively a plug-in hybrid.
Notably, the design remains relatively unchanged, maintaining its distinctive silhouette, ensuring it remains easily recognizable as a Prius, with enhancements in certain aesthetic and proportion aspects.
The redesigned headlights give it a more modern look. It is also 50 mm lower, and the lower part of the roof has been moved backward, achieving a more pronounced coupe-like line. The rear appearance, however, is entirely new.
Aesthetic improvements include eye-catching 19-inch alloy wheels.
More Interior Space
The new Prius (fifth generation) is built on Toyota’s TNGA platform, allowing the vehicle to gain interior space despite being 46 mm shorter.
The interior design is similar to previous models and the bZ4x electric, featuring elevated instrumentation and a steering wheel design inspired by them.
Toyota emphasizes efforts to improve cabin soundproofing and the use of better materials in the new Prius. Ambient lighting will have a more prominent presence and will also be used to alert the driver to potentially risky situations.
Another significant change is the slightly lower driving position.
Increased Power
The most substantial changes in this fifth generation occur in its mechanical aspects. The hybrid system sees an increase in power, with the electric component playing a more significant role. Toyota claims that this fifth-generation Prius will be the most efficient iteration of a model already known for its efficiency.
The hybrid system comprises a 2.0-liter engine with 148 horsepower (111 kW) combined with an electric motor with 160 horsepower (120 kW). The total output of the 2023 Toyota Prius is 223 horsepower (163 kW), contrasting with the 122 horsepower of the current Prius plug-in.
The lithium-ion battery capacity has also increased to 13.6 kWh. Toyota has managed to keep its size compact enough to fit under the rear seats.
The 2023 Prius will retain the option to recharge energy through the solar panels on the roof, which Toyota claims can provide power for up to 1,250 km per year.
Although, as mentioned earlier, the Prius will make its debut at an auto show in Los Angeles this week, its arrival in the European market is not expected until the spring of 2023.
