Handling – Toyota Prius 5 (2023): the Prius puts the watts

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Toyota Prius 5 (2023) vs Prius 4: everything that changes

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This model interests you ?

Handling – Toyota Prius 5 (2023): the Prius puts the watts

The best -selling hybrid car in the world is transformed. The design, the platform and the engine have been revised from floor to ceiling. Expected in the spring, the fifth generation of Toyota Prius will be exclusively sold in rechargeable version on our territory. We were among the first to take the wheel.

In short

5th generation
Power: 223 hp
From € 45,000*

The Prius is the spearhead of the Toyota hybrid range for 25 years. Trend to its beginnings, the Japanese sedan quickly established itself as the symbol of the militant ecologist. It took a few years to install the concept of hybridization and its benefits with the general public before meeting the success that we know today, namely a car title the year (in 2005) and nearly 22 million copies sold since 1997. This success Toyota has, over the years, declined to the whole range, certain models such as CH-R or Corolla even coming to Cannibalize its sales.

For this fifth and new generation, Toyota wanted to offer more emotion to his sedan. Exit the tricorps silhouette. The Prius offers itself a less exuberant design which results in a change of proportions. This new generation is lower (-5 cm) and slightly shorter (4, 51 m) than the old. The overhangs are reduced, the wheelbase progresses and the windshield has been fell. The result leads to a design that is both elegant and dynamic which should seduce a wider spectrum of customers. This line is highlighted by large 19 rims and the new very fine light signature in the shape of hooks, which will also be found on the next CH-R.

On board, the dashboard returns to a more traditional layout with an instrumentation postponed behind the steering wheel and a multimedia screen in the horizontal position. The quality of the materials is correct. The dashboard is covered with a valuing flexible plastic but several covering on the upper part make low -end, damage.

We weigh against the presence of many command buttons and the reduced (7 ”) format of digital instrumentation. The Japanese does not avoid the transition to all digital with a 12.3 -inch central touch screen with performance and clearly higher resolution. Interior LED lighting is “active” and reacts to traffic conditions. For example, in fire or in a traffic jam, if the car preceding you is gone, the Prius tells you that the way is free.

For passengers, the new Prius blows hot and cold. The larger wheelbase offers a beautiful leg space in the rear seats. On the other hand, this profiled silhouette with a remote windshield has its share of inconveniences. First, it reduces visibility for the driver. Then he penalizes guard at the roof in the rear seats. An adult over 1m75 will see his head rub on the pavilion. To this must be added a small transmission tunnel which comes to penalize the place of the middle.

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The chest volume already just on the current generation does not progress. The latter falls to 284 liters (VDA), less than a clio chest ! A score too fair for a sedan of this size. We console ourselves by a wide loading surface and accommodation for cables under floor.

Always so sober but much more powerful

The new Prius has two types of mechanics: simple hybrid and rechargeable hybrid. Only the latter, more profitable for the manufacturer, will be imported into Europe. There is even a 4-wheel drive version, offered across the agenda which should never arrive with us.

Toyota changes this motorcycle group for the occasion. 1.8 essence gives way to a 2.0 of 148 hp, associated with an electric motor of 160 hp, which provide a combined power of 223 hp, sent to the front wheels. Be practically double the current ! The arrival of a larger capacity battery (13.6 kWh), now housed under the rear seat, allows it to almost double its radius of action in all electric. Toyota announces 69 km.

A new driving mode to optimize the electric phases

A prius that accelerates as strong as a Clio RS up to 100 km/h (6.8 s) ? Who would’ve believed that ? The couple of electromotor (more powerful) brings the dose of vitamin that was missing in Japaneseise. Driving becomes more fun than before with lively starts and sustained acceleration at mid-regime, despite an automatic gearbox with continuous variation (ECVT) which (despite its great reliability) struggles to be forgotten when we Punct the right pedal. The maximum speed is limited to 177 km/h in hybrid mode and 135 km in all electric mode.

Toyota has changed the different driving modes of its model. It is possible to configure it in all “EV” electric, in “automatic” mode that selected for our test but also in HEV-EV mode, which works in concert with navigation in order to maximize the electric phases and lower consumption. This mode takes into account the speed, the distance as well as the tilt of the road. Finally, it is possible to recharge the battery with the heat engine thanks to the “load” mode.

An average consumption of 3.9 l/100 km in hybrid mode

By driving at a good speed on a course composed of the majority of secondary roads and without ever practicing eco-driving we observed an average of 3.9 l/100 km. In view of the approval and the proposed dynamism, it is a very good score. Once the batteries “empty”, the Prius works as a simple hybrid. An area that she masters perfectly. Consumption then climbs very little, around 4.4 l/100 km. It will be necessary to keep in mind that with the arrival of a large battery, the capacity of the tank is now equivalent to that of a Yaris (40 liters).

It is possible to go a little further in the saving process by opting for a roof equipped with solar panels (around € 3,000), which would recover the equivalent of ten kilometers per day. Régenerative “B” regenerative braking is also present to optimize energy recovery. Configure the intensity requires half a dozen manipulations via the on-board computer.

The charging power is disappointing. First, the Prius accepts only alternating current (AC), unlike certain competitors such as the GLA Mercedes 250th capable of receiving direct current. Then its power caps at 3.5 kW. Competition generally offers a quick load, type Wallbox, up to 7.4 kW.

With expanded voices, a lower center of gravity and revisited suspensions (Mac Pherson at the front and double triangulation at the rear), the new Prius becomes much more engaging to drive. Stability is improved at stabilized speed as on a highway for example. The Japanese is dynamic without departing from a good level of comfort.

This comfort is reflected in quality sound soundproofing and really well -calibrated damping. During our test, carried out in the south of Greece, the Prius was able to preserve our lumbar from the many imperfections of the roadway. What’s more, equipped with a 19 ’pneumatic ride’ ’. Good work. Dynamism is brought by a lower center of gravity, wider voices and much better aerodynamics.

“Satoki Oya”, the chief engineer of the Prius therefore took up his initial challenge. To advance your baby in two key areas: design and driving.

The new hybrid prius increases the emotional cursor of her conduct by one floor. The Japanese now adds driving pleasure and performance, to its master asset: controlled consumption. The prices and the range have not yet been revealed for the moment, however we expect an even higher starting price than its predecessor, around € 45,000.

*estimate.