Toyota Portugal brought together the five generations of the Prius in the press conference space, providing an interesting opportunity to see them all in the same place. The first one, which arrived in Portugal in the year 2000, is minuscule compared to its successors. It still has an appearance of an orthopedic shoe on wheels, which conceals the fact that it is a true technological compendium. The concept has continuously evolved, with an increasing electric range and the introduction, from 2012 onwards of the plug-in hybrid version.
All generations had a somewhat controversial aesthetic, where it wasn’t the shape but the concept that seemed to appeal more to Prius enthusiasts. When it first appeared, there weren’t many environmentally conscious car options, which is why many celebrities, especially those from North America, adopted the Prius as their symbol of environmental activism.
It also allowed Toyota to substantially reduce its global emissions and develop the hybrid system, combining gasoline propulsion with two electric motors, which is now present in virtually all Toyota and Lexus ranges.
Finally, the Prius is a looker
The fifth generation immediately stands out for its design. It has a wedge-shaped form, with the highest point of the body slightly after the B-pillar. The A-pillar and the windshield line are highly inclined, adding a level of dynamism that had never been seen before in a Prius. The absence of a rear door handle also accentuates the sportiness of this five-door five-seat model.
The LED lights at the front emphasize its aggressiveness, while those at the rear give it a touch of retro-futurism. The PRIUS logo at the back leaves no doubt about the strength of this name, which has its own place in the Toyota universe.
Tech: Moving on up
As for the technical aspects, let’s start with the high-voltage battery, which has increased from 8.8 to 13.6 kWh, representing a capacity increase of 54%. With more stored energy, the electric range in 100% electric mode, according to the WLTP standard, now stands at 72 km for the version equipped with 19-inch wheels. The base model comes with 17-inch wheels with aerodynamic covers and offers an 86 km electric range. The previous generation of the Prius PHEV achieved 49 km.
Regarding power, the gasoline engine now has a capacity of 1998 cc and delivers a power output of 112 kW (152 hp), compared to the 72 kW (98 hp) of the previous generation with a 1.8-liter engine. The electric motor has undergone an even greater increase and now boasts 120 kW (163 hp). The combined power is set at 164 kW (223 hp). These renewed technical capabilities allow the sleek Prius to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in an unprecedented 6.8 seconds. The top speed is 177 km/h.
Despite the increase in power and performance, the concept of the Prius is almost the opposite of a sports car. And it was not reasonable be expected otherwise in its fifth iteration. Thanks to its low center of gravity, Prius models have always exhibited good, safe, and competent handling. Comfort has always been a priority as well, considering that it is a vehicle designed for everyday and family use.
It is true that this fifth generation delivers rapid accelerations and responsive performance. But whilst operating in electric mode, the Prius runs almost silently, once the combustion engine joins in, it becomes evident that high revs are still not its strong suit. The four-cylinder engine produces an uninteresting sound, showing more effort than pleasure, which doesn’t encourage deviating from the ideal pattern of use: gradual acceleration and moderate speeds that enhance energy efficiency and electric mode utilization.
Nevertheless, it is reassuring to know that in a demanding situation or when overtaking, the Prius possesses the competence to swiftly gain speed.
Almost a BEV…
In electric mode, the Prius is highly competent, capable of covering several dozen kilometers without needing to engage the gasoline engine. In this new generation, the Prius can reach a speed of up to 135 km/h while operating in electric mode.
Considering the 13.6 kWh of the traction battery as a net value, the energy consumption per 100 km is 18.8 kWh according to the WLTP standard, while it is 15.8 kWh for the model equipped with 17-inch wheels. These numbers demonstrate that the electric system of the new Prius is highly efficient, even when compared to fully electric models.
Regarding the charging of the battery, Plug-in hybrids are like electric vehicles, with the difference being that, due to their smaller battery capacity, they have slower charging speeds and naturally do not have the option for fast charging using direct current (DC).
They can receive power through the external charger that comes with the vehicle, which can be connected to a household socket, or they can charge with a power of up to 3.3 kW (16 amperes) using the built-in charger in the vehicle.
These charging numbers are typical for a Plug-In hybrid and are identical to those of the previous generation.
First impressions at the wheel
I drove approximately 50 kilometers, enough to get a general sense of this model’s capabilities. The interior boasts an overall high-quality feel with good materials.
However, I believe that for drivers between 1.70 and 1.80 meters tall, it may be difficult to position the steering wheel optimally while still being able to read the instrument panel. In my case, I had to lower the steering wheel by a good two centimeters below the ideal position in order to see my speed.
On the other hand, the small instrument screen seems to display an excess of information, showing all the active driving assistance systems. I have doubts about the usefulness of this information overload, but Toyota places great value on it.
The complexity of the menu settings is another characteristic of the Prius. A practical example is configuring the intensity of energy regeneration during deceleration when shifting the transmission lever to “B” mode. There are three levels, but unless there is an expert nearby, you really need to consult the manual to figure out how to do it. It requires navigating the instrument panel menu using the controls on the steering wheel, entering the settings, and scrolling through several pages until you find the place where you can choose your preferred intensity. Then, you also need to choose the function that keeps your preferences saved when restarting the car, so you don’t have to go through it all again…
However, it was already known that the Prius, which is exclusively manufactured in Japan, has this dual nature of use. For those who just want to plug and play, the factory specifications are excellent. For enthusiasts who want to explore all the capabilities of this technological platform, there is much to discover.
Even the driving modes have a customizable function, allowing you to combine, for example, eco mode air conditioning with sport mode accelerator response and normal mode steering. Therefore, this complexity is more a matter of personal preference than a flaw. There are certainly opportunities for simplification, but for now, the Toyota engineers have chosen not to take advantage of them.
Improved solar power capability
In the previous generation, the Prius already had solar cells on the roof. However, in the new generation, they are more efficient, allowing for the recovery of, according to Toyota, 8 km of range in a parked day or fully charging the battery in a week. While driving, the solar cells can generate electrical energy that contributes to the vehicle’s accessory needs.
We weren’t able to test this functionality, but it is worth acknowledging that the integration of this device into the roof is very well executed and gives the impression of being almost a bicolor aesthetic solution. It is important to note that this feature is only available on the highest trim level.
The price of the Prius V PHEV in Portugal starts at €41,990 for the Exclusive version, which features 17-inch wheels that actually improve the energy efficiency and range. The intermediate Luxury version is priced at €44,190 and stands out with its 19-inch wheels and digital rearview mirror. The top-of-the-line Premium version, which includes integrated solar cells on the roof, is priced at €49,690. This version also features vegan leather seats, a 360-degree panoramic camera, and remote parking, among other equipment. (Prices without VAT are €34,138, €35,927, and €40,398, respectively).
The solid blue color is the standard base color, while the white, gray, and yellow (launch color) options are available as optional choices.
Innovative tradition
Toyota has a loyal audience for the Prius, who will undoubtedly appreciate the improvements made in this fifth generation. Moreover, the Prius V Plug-in is, like its predecessor, a realistic option for families with only one car who seek the benefits of an economical and low-emission vehicle that can be used for all types of trips without concerns about battery charging.
It will also certainly be a viable choice for fleets with similar requirements.
