2023 Toyota Prius: Welcome to the Next Generation
The 2023 Toyota Prius kicks off its 5th generation in style. We look at powertrain, interior options, trim levels, and more. Find out our thoughts here.
2023 Toyota Prius – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2023 Toyota Prius on Carsforsale.com
What’s new for the 2023 Toyota Prius?
The 2023 Toyota Prius kicks off the model’s fifth generation and it does so in style. One engine is available with one transmission and the buyer’s choice of front or all-wheel drive. Three trim levels are on offer and each includes a package of advanced driver aids along with an easy-to-use infotainment system and excellent fuel efficiency. A panoramic sunroof, heated rear seats, and digital rearview mirror are available.
The 2023 Toyota Prius is all new with a stunning new shape, a revamped interior, and far better driving dynamics than ever before.
The Breakdown
Gorgeous styling
Outstanding efficiency
Better to drive than before
Sedate interior style
Less cargo room
Less headroom
A great new Prius
2023 Prius Specs
- 194 horsepower from base engine
- 139 lb-ft of torque from base engine
- 3 available trims
- 23.8 cu-ft of cargo capacity
- Available 12.3-inch infotainment system
- Standard adaptive cruise control
- 2 years of free maintenance
2023 Toyota Prius Powertrain
Toyota sells every Prius with the same four-cylinder hybridized engine and a continuously variable transmission. It makes 194 hp but torque is unlisted. Front-wheel drive is standard but AWD is available and adds an electric motor to the rear axle. Somehow it only bumps total power to 196 hp. Still, this is a dramatically better car to drive than the old Prius.
While almost any car with less than 200 hp is going to feel pretty slow keep in mind that the outgoing Prius had just 121. On top of adding power, the new Prius feels better to drive in every other discernible way too. The brakes are a huge step forward and now offer the kind of linear consistent pedal feel that was missing in the past. The steering is sharper too and again, offers good feedback.
Body roll and overall body control is better too. It’s easy to place the Prius on a line and keep it there throughout a turn without having to guess what the tires are doing. This is no hot hatch but it feels like it compared to the old Prius.
2023 Toyota Prius Fuel Economy & Battery Range
According to the EPA, the Prius can get up to 57 mpg in the city and 56 on the highway. Those are great figures and they don’t drop much when saddling this hybrid with AWD. That version still gets up to 53 mpg in the city and 54 on the highway.
Interior, Comfort, & Cargo Space
Slipping into the cabin of the Prius reveals some big changes but mostly conservative ones. Gone is the centrally-positioned gauge cluster in favor of a traditional cluster behind the steering wheel. The wheel itself looks almost like something out of a space ship thanks to unconventional angles and a long top pad that leads into the cluster. The rest of the cabin is very straightforward. The seats are comfortable enough on their own but they’re a bit flat and stiff over time.
As this new Prius is slightly shorter than the old one there’s less headroom in each row. It’s especially noticeable for taller folks in the back seat. Toyota includes six USB-C ports on every Prius along with a wireless charging pad. Storage is good too thanks to just over 23 cubic feet of cargo room under the rear hatch. Those who want a little more luxury with their Prius can equip it with heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, a digital rearview mirror, a panoramic sunroof, and a surround-view camera system.
2023 Toyota Prius Entertainment & Technology
Modernizing the Prius includes improving the infotainment system too. Now, an 8-inch screen with Android and Apple connectivity is standard. It’s quick, easy to navigate, and looks great too. A larger 12.3-inch version is even more impressive and comes standard on the Limited trim level.
XLE buyers can add it as an option as well. There’s a new “Hey Toyota” voice command system integrated into the larger screen that’s not as accurate as a conventional smart device speaker but will still get most tasks done on the first try. The available JBL sound system is good too with a rich full sound.
Safety Features
Toyota offers the Prius with an outstanding safety package that includes automatic high beams, forward collision mitigation, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot warning, and adaptive cruise control. Each works smoothly and effectively too.
2023 Toyota Prius Trims & Pricing
LE – $28,545
The base Prius comes with 17-inch wheels, LED headlights, cloth upholstery, an 8-inch infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, six USB-C power ports, six speakers, a wifi hotspot, forward collision mitigation, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assistance, blind-spot warning, and automatic high beams.
XLE – $31,990
This trim gets 19-inch wheels, heated front seats, faux leather upholstery, rear seat cupholders, keyless entry, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a wireless charging pad, rain-sensing wipers, and parking sensors.
Limited – $35,560
The top trim adds a power liftgate, ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, driver’s seat memory settings, and an eight-speaker JBL sound system. Buyers can also add heated rear seats, an automated parking system, a digital rearview mirror, and a surround-view camera system.
Warranties
Prius buyers get the benefit of two years or 25,000 miles worth of complimentary maintenance. In addition, they get a pretty average warranty package of three years or 36,000 miles of limited coverage and five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage.
What we think
2023 Toyota Prius – pressroom.toyota.com | Shop 2023 Toyota Prius on Carsforsale.com
There’s very little question that Toyota has made a gigantic leap forward with this generation of the Prius. It’s a better car than the one it replaces in just about every aspect. What it gives up, a little headroom and a little cargo space, feels like a fair tradeoff to us.
What’s better yet is that it’s inexpensive and comes with free maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles. That’s a very tough package to argue against for those in this market.
