We have done all of the homework on both the new and used Toyota Prius. Read on to find out which is the best bargain!
New vs Used: Toyota Prius
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Fuel-conscious drivers have loved the Toyota Prius since it debuted in America in 2000. They carried the flag for the hybrid revolution and introduced America to the benefits of hybrid powertrains.
The 2023 model year ushered in the fifth generation of the little hybrid car which is still a hot seller in America. Fuel mileage has increased over the years, and other improvements have come about as well.
But is it better to buy a used one?
In 2019, the Toyota Prius was still in its fourth generation. The 2023 model brought about some great changes, including a complete overhaul of the exterior. It gave the car a fresh, sporty look which contrasted greatly to the very ugly previous stylings.
Other changes include a new 194-horsepower hybrid powertrain that is available in AWD. This is the most powerful engine in the history of the Prius. The best part about it is that it doesn’t cost you any fuel mileage!
Other changes include standard 17-inch wheels, rear cross-traffic alert, and blind spot monitoring on the base model.
Let’s take a look to see these changes in more detail.
Specs
The 2023 Toyota Prius comes with a 2.0L hybrid inline four-cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. This combination puts out 194 horsepower and 139 lbs.-ft of torque. This combination gives the 2023 Toyota Prius up to an EPA-rated 57 MPG city/56 MPG highway.
There is a 220-horsepower plugin-hybrid Toyota Prius Prime that is available, but we won’t touch on that one in this review.
The 2019 Toyota Prius was a little more laid-back in terms of styling and performance. The powertrain consisted of a 1.8L hybrid inline four-cylinder with a CVT transmission. It delivers 121 horsepower and 120 lbs.-ft. of torque. This setup provides an EPA-estimated 58 MPG city and 53 MPG highway. This was the first year that AWD was offered on the Prius, and it was available on the LE AWD-e and XLE AWD-e trims.
Driving and Performance
The 2023 Toyota Prius’ new powertrain surprised us during testing. It was much faster than previous years, going from zero to 60 MPH in just 7.1 seconds. It beat out competitors such as the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid.
The newfound power of the 2023 Toyota Prius hasn’t added much excitement to the overall driving experience. Although the steering lacks liveliness and feeling, it is at least focused and precise. New suspension components and frame updates give the new Prius a haughtier stance on the road. This puts the driver lower in the car for a sportier feel overall.
The 2023 Toyota Prius handles rough pavement better than its predecessors, but it is prone to excessive noise from the tires, wind, and engine. While it is comfortable, the noise keeps it from being completely relaxing on long road trips.
The 2019 Toyota Prius suffers from the same bad acceleration for which the Prius was infamous. The 2019 Toyota Prius crept from zero to 60 MPH at an excruciating 10.7 seconds. The handling is focused but mind-numbingly boring. You don’t buy a Prius for the handling, after all.
The ride is incredibly smooth as long as the pavement isn’t broken. Once you hit a rough road, be prepared to feel the impact. It is jumpy, shaky, and loud.
Comfort and Interior
The interior of the 2023 Toyota Prius offers an interior that is perfectly comfortable for long road trips. The seats are supportive and comfortable up front. The back seats are a little less spacious than previous models due to the sloping roofline. This means that taller passengers will have a little trouble getting in and out of the car, and they may feel a bit cramped.
Cargo space gives you plenty of room for the essentials with 27.4 cubic feet of space in the trunk and 50.4 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded down. This is less than the previous generations, however.
The control layout has been redesigned with a gauge cluster located directly behind the steering wheel. This puts everything in line with the driver’s eyes. The front passengers sit lower in the frame to lower the center of gravity.
The materials are what you would expect to find in an economy car – mainly plastics, cloth, and faux leather.
The infotainment screen has been upgraded in the 2023 models. There is now a new 8.0-inch touchscreen on the LE and XLE trims, and the Limited trim gets a gigantic 12.3-inch touchscreen. Drivers can control the system via the screen or through “Hey Toyota” voice commands. The 12.3-inch touchscreen comes standard with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as well as Wi-Fi.
The 2019 Toyota Prius offers an interior that is also trimmed mostly with plastics which is to be expected on an economy car. The instrument cluster is mounted in the center which forces the driver to take their eyes off of the road frequently.
There is plenty of room for passengers in this little car, and taller passengers will still appreciate the comfortable position that the rear seats offer. When it comes to cargo space, the 2019 Prius gives you a respectable 24.6 cubic feet in the trunk and 62.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded.
The infotainment system is easy to use with an optional 11.6-inch screen available on higher trim levels. The technology is lacking, however, with no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay compatibility on any trim. There is a Qi wireless charging pad, however.
Trims and Features
The 2023 Toyota Prius comes in three trims. The LE is the base trim and comes standard with features such as LED headlights, folding 60/40-split rear seats, 17-inch alloy wheels, six USB-C charging ports, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with Apple Carplay and Android Auto capability, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a six-speaker audio system, forward collision warning with automatic braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic control.
The XLE trim adds rear seat cupholders, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, keyless entry and ignition, synthetic leather upholstery, wireless phone charging, rain-sensing wipers, 19-inch wheels, front and rear parking sensors, synthetic leather upholstery, and heated front seats. Optional features include a panoramic glass roof, a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and a smartphone key capability that allows you to use your smartphone as a key.
The Limited trim gives you all of the features of the XLE (including optional features) plus a power liftgate, ventilated front seats, heated steering wheel, an eight-speaker JBL audio system, and driver’s seat memory. Options include a surround-view camera, automated parking, a digital rearview mirror function, and heated rear seats.
The 2019 Toyota Prius comes in four trims with two additional AWD trims. The base trim is the L Eco, and it includes features like automatic LED headlights, heated mirrors, automatic climate control, adaptive cruise control, 15-inch wheels, LED running lights, keyless entry and ignition, dual 4.2-inch driver information screens, a six-speaker audio system, front USB port, two rear USB charge ports, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, automatic high beams, and lane departure warning.
The LE trim adds features such as a spare tire, parking sensors, rear window wiper, front seatback pockets, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and automated parallel parking.
The XLE trim gives you SofTex simulated leather upholstery, automatic wipers, 17-inch wheels, a power-adjustable driver’s seat, a wireless phone charging pad, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.
The top-of-the-line trim is the Limited trim, and it comes with features like adaptive headlights, a navigation system, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, adaptive headlights, Toyota’s Safety Connect emergency communications, and a 10-speaker JBL audio system with satellite radio.
The Verdict
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Toyota has made it possible for families who are on a budget to also save big money at the pump. The 2023 Toyota Prius is priced right for those who are all about saving money. The base trim starts at $28,545. Considering that you’ll save big at the pumps, this is a smart investment.
If you’re looking for a preowned 2019 Toyota Prius, you can expect to pay around $21,000 to $25,000 for a model with modest mileage. But why would you want to when you can get a brand-new Prius with a new warranty, upgraded powertrain, and a complete redesign for only a little more?
The choice is clear – if you’re going to be buying a Prius, it is better to pay just a little more to get a car that not only has a more usable powertrain but also gives you a better overall design. The new Prius really turned our heads while relieving us of some of the features that made the older design unpalatable. Long live the mighty Prius!
