The 2023 Toyota Prius Is A Fuel Sipper You’ll Want To Drive
The 2023 Toyota Prius Is A Fuel Sipper You’ll Want To Drive
It’s quicker, handles better, delivers up to 57 miles per gallon and you won’t feel the need to drive wearing a disguise. The 2023 Toyota Prius is better in almost every way and not by just a small amount. And the svelte design language is something you’ll see more of out of Toyota. Tom Voelk travels to San Diego, CA for a deep dive into the all-new 5th generation Prius. He teams up with Ryan Douthit from Driving Sports TV to check out the ugly duckling that has become a swan. They drive an Limited AWD model in Wind Chill Pearl.
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About Tom: Tom Voelk is an award-winning automotive contributor to The New York Times. His podcast was the first to win an Emmy Award (and he’s won for photography, editing, producing and reporting).
00:00 Intro
1:15 Pricing
1:45 Ryan!
1:51 Dimensions and Powertrain
3:30 What We’re Driving
4:03 Visibility
4:49 Vanity of Design
5:42 Transmission / Quietness
6:16 Efficiency
7:30 Handling
8:18 Brake Feel
8:33 Safety ADAS
9:22 Interior
10:28 Interface and Tech
11:49 Backseat
12:39 Design
13:37 Cargo
14:41 Red Light Green Light
15:33 Summary
16:39 Thanks Ryan
17:11 Before I Go…
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Content
0 -> (ON CAM) Yes, this is the new Toyota Prius,
it looks great but that’s just the start.
13.98 -> It has the windshield rake of a Lamborghini, a
voice-based interface system similar to luxury
19.26 -> German brands, and the fuel economy of
a Toyota Prius. Because it is a Prius,
24.54 -> the new 2023 model, the 5th
generation. It’s as good looking
29.22 -> as the outgoing version was awkward.
(ON CAM) The fifth generation Prius is
34.5 -> not just about design, overall it's a much better
vehicle. It’s more powerful, it's more efficient,
40.98 -> it has better tech. It goes from being a
punchline to a pretty desirable vehicle .
46.68 -> I’m at an manufacturer’s event outside
of San Diego, CA for a full debrief on
51.96 -> all that’s new. This is not a skin-deep review.
(SOUND UP) For a car with such an iconic role
58.02 -> in the Toyota lineup, we knew we had to make
a statement, and I'd say that our designer
62.58 -> engineering team definitely delivered.
True. Considering the damage gen 4 did
68.28 -> to eyeballs, this needed to be a grand slam
to keep the Prius branding relevant since
73.92 -> it’s not available as a pure EV. Pricing?
The LE will start at $27,450 and XLE will
83.1 -> start at $30,895, and for those who want
everything that Prius has to offer the top
91.56 -> trim Limited grade with all-wheel drive
will be very well equipped at $35,865.
97.2 -> (SOUND UP)
GFX- Add $1,095 for delivery on all models
100.14 -> There’s so much to get to. For starters, a
guest star! (ON CAM) All right a special treat,
105.48 -> Ryan Douthit is my co pilot. Hi there,
how’s everyone doing? Let’s do this.
110.94 -> GFX- 2023 Prius has a 0.27
Cd vs 0.24 for 2022 models
111.84 -> Let’s hit the basics first. Truly all new,
it’s built on the TNGA-C platform. The roof
118.32 -> is two-inches lower, width and length are
up by about 1, wheelbase longer by 2. More
124.44 -> attractive to the eye, it’s less so to the
wind, aero efficiency drops a skosh. All
130.5 -> three trims can be had with all-wheel drive, a
bargain at 1,400 bucks. Prius Prime, arriving
136.8 -> in the summer of 2023 should have more than the
current model’s 25 miles of all electric range.
142.98 -> The 4-cylinder is a larger 2-liter running the
Atkinson cycle plus there’s a torquier electric
148.92 -> drive motor, that’s up some 20% from 120 to 152
lb.-ft. Net horsepower is up a whopping 60%. Total
159.36 -> for the system is 194 horses for front drivers,
Toyota doesn’t offer total torque figurers. It
166.8 -> rises a couple to 196 HP for AWD powertrains.
Interesting, considering the motor that drives
174.72 -> the back tires gets a substantial boost to 40
horsepower, the old one was 7. The lithium-ion
181.08 -> battery with 14% more output is under here.
GFX- LE FWD is manufacturer rated at 57
184.47 -> city / 56 hwy / 57 comb
XLE/Limited FWD 52/52/52
184.519 -> LE AWD 53/54/54
XLE/Limited AWD 49/50/49
184.56 -> Generally, it’s silent running on start, the
engine might fire up in colder conditions.
190.38 -> The eCVT has no kind of synthetic shift
points and there are no steering wheel
194.94 -> pedals to adjust regeneration drag, that’s
done here. I’ve always found “EV Mode”,
200.16 -> that offers short low speed electric travel, to
be kind of useless. Drive modes adjust steering
206.16 -> weight and throttle mapping. Subtly. There’s no
head up display, the gauge cluster is up high
211.56 -> enough to keep eyes on the road.
GFX- Toyota says a FWD Prius
213.025 -> should do 0-60 runs in 7.2 seconds.
Ryan and I snag the top trim AWD Limited
216.42 -> in optional Wind Chill Pearl. It’s Toyota-rated
efficiency is the lowest, due to extra weight
222.3 -> and 19-inch alloys. Still, 49 MPG average is
impressive. The fuel sipper is the front-drive LE
230.16 -> rolling on 17 inchers at 57 miles per gallon, the
volume model XLE scores 52. So Prius still does
239.16 -> Prius efficiency things and owners can hyper-mile
without a paper bag over their heads now. Plus,
245.1 -> with AWD, it sprints to 60 miles an hour in
7 seconds flat. Nearly 3 seconds quicker.
252.84 -> One of the things I was wondering about when
I saw the pictures of this was how visability
258.3 -> would be with the A pillar since it's really
raked back. It's not bad it does kind of block
266.46 -> your view. They pack so much into these modern
vehicles with all the electronics and the airbags,
271.32 -> and all that stuff, these just aren't thin
anymore so when you have this raking, there’s
275.64 -> this visual block in front of you, however they
do have this nice little glass piece down here
281.64 -> with A pillar to wing mirror immediately yeah a
little gap. At least feel like you can see. Yeah.
289.98 -> The vanity in me really appreciates the new
exterior design. I feel a lot better about driving
296.82 -> this car. The old one was just so fugly, it was,
it was hideous. The proportions were wrong. I
304.44 -> mean it might've been more aerodynamic. The cD
was better than even this vehicle there that
308.16 -> actually gives this one a little bit more wind
resistance, but I think that that is worth it if
314.34 -> you don't drive around with your head, you know
behind the steering wheel is low as you can go.
319.2 -> Yeah because you don't wanna be seen in it.
I also think it's interesting that
325.44 -> the folks at the event this morning kind of
admitted that. Yeah! Whhhhaaat? It takes a lot
336.36 -> for the manufacture to even agree ever and that it
was maybe not the best design they’ve ever done.
343.32 -> I'm putting my foot hard end of the throttle
349.02 -> there's a little bit of that rubberbanding
dynamic but it's not bad. No.
354.72 -> So we haven't hit any freeway yet but at 55 miles
an hour you can tell by the audio quality this is
363.24 -> a fairly quiet car. Yeah it's not a Lexus, not
meant to be. No I can hear a little bit of wind
369.48 -> noise up in the front, I think that’s tire
noise, it might be tire noise because this
375.42 -> is on the 19 inch wheels. Yeah if you get the LX
you get the 17 inch wheels which actually provide
382.08 -> better economy than the 19s. That's part of the
reason why the higher end trims have less economy.
387.72 -> It's 49 mpg, like I would live with less economy
to get a more satisfying car. So the LE with 17
399.74 -> inch wheels 57 in the city, 56 highway. OK
all right so that’s 8 MPG, I would go for
410.4 -> the opulent car, that's also the all wheel drive,
the absolute best Prius you can get, and yeah it's
417.9 -> less economical but it's a lot more satisfying.
I think as you get older as we are Tom,
424.2 -> these little amenities like seat heaters and
coolers, you know, cars that are a little bit
430.02 -> quieter, these kind of things when you're in your
20s and 30s, it’s like, it'll be fine. But when
436.68 -> you’re the older you say no, I’m not putting
up with that. So even though this loaded one
441 -> is mid 30s, you don't have to spend that much
money to get you know this kind of economy and
446.94 -> these kids of looks. Yeah, it’s a good look.
This road that we're on is kind of winding and
455.58 -> gotta say this handles pretty well. Also,
there's a really nice weight to the steering,
465.24 -> it's just about perfect, not something I would
normally think about when I think about Prius.
470.82 -> Never! I know we keep going back to that.
Looks like I can't believe this is a Prius
477.84 -> Toyota is trying to up its game there. Yeah,
didn't Akio Toyota say that he wanted like
484.32 -> performance across-the-board, everything needed
to handle well now. No more dialing it in and
490.26 -> saying well you have economy, great. Yeah they are
trying to sharpen things up a bit and it shows.
500.34 -> Generation 5 has excellent brake feel, smoothly
transitioning from regenerative to the physical
505.68 -> brakes which are slightly larger now. Visibility
is generally good forward and to the side,
511.5 -> to rear it’s kind of a slit. Thankfully
there’s the improved Toyota Safety Sense 3
518.1 -> A-DAS system. I’ll let the Toyota folks take that.
Blindspot monitor and rear cross traffic alert
524.94 -> is standard on all grades. In addition to all
of these features Prius will have lane change
530.52 -> assist and cross traffic alert. Lane change works
with lane changing assist and operates when the
537.24 -> dynamic radar cruise control is operating. When
the driver partially engages the turn signal,
541.86 -> the vehicle monitor determines the new vehicles
in the path of the lane change. The system
546.48 -> provides steering support into the new lane. Now
driver’s hands must remain on the steering wheel.
552.72 -> Front cross traffic alert uses the vehicles
front quarter radar sensors to alert the driver
557.64 -> with visual and audible alerts about vehicles
approaching from the side at an intersection
564.48 -> Allow me to heap more praise on the Prius. It
looks better in here. Materials are more appealing
570.66 -> to eyes and fingers. This iridescent LED lighting
distracts from faux carbon fiber. For comparison,
577.56 -> here’s the outgoing cabin. See what I mean? I
hear from smaller journalists that this extreme
584.7 -> rake makes entry a little less convenient and
visibility-wise the A pillar bothered Ryan
590.7 -> more than me, that’s what test drives are for.
Headroom is reduced about an inch-and-a-half
596.4 -> front and back, interior space is down by 2 cubic
feet. Limited models get heated and vented seats
602.94 -> that Toyota claims are redesigned for better
support, they’re covered in SofTex material,
608.46 -> leather is not a thing in Prius. Same
goes for this which is heated. Visually,
613.74 -> it’s kind of heavy with lots of buttons.
The driver’s looking at a lot dashboard
618.84 -> since it’s deep to accommodate the
dramatic glass. The climate is single
623.52 -> zone. There are the usual places to stash
things, many of them are on the small side.
629.28 -> GFX- Toyota Drive and Remote Connect
services are complimentary for one year.
629.979 -> (ON CAM) The new multimedia interface is so much
better than the outgoing one. It doesn’t really
635.7 -> have a home screen it relies a lot on natural
voice prompts like “Hey Toyota I need directions
643.14 -> to In-N-Out Burger”. I found 15 results one is one
(unintelligible) Would you like to go to that one?
654.36 -> Yes, and can you explain why
their fries are so awful?
661.2 -> Apparently not. So you do need a data
plan with this, there is an initial trial,
665.94 -> but after that there is a monthly fee.
Originally, I thought this was the Qi
670.38 -> charge pad and was going to grouse about
the poor ergonomics but then realized,
675 -> the charger is here and extremely well done.
On top of that Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
680.88 -> are wireless. Phone-as-key is optional on XLE.
Prius can be had with a self-parking feature and
687.9 -> a digital rear view mirror. Generation 4 had
a rear wiper, that’s gone now, sadly. There
694.56 -> are a number of easter eggs, and Toyota isn’t
being dramatic with “reborn”. It really is.
700.98 -> The only busy part of the design is this, better
than the C-HR though. Uber riders will find the
707.88 -> release pad has little travel and feels firm.
GFX- Ryan at 6’1” found the
710.794 -> headroom to be a bit tight
A quick check in the backseat, I’m
713.16 -> 5 foot nine and even though the roof slopes back
I’ve got that much headroom, that’s not bad. Knee,
720.6 -> leg, and foot room are generous. The cushions are
high enough so that I’ve got thigh support. The
726.36 -> door openings are a little on the small side
if you’re getting car seats in and out often.
731.58 -> Pockets, those are pretty small. No adjustable
vents or separate climate zone. At least I can
736.62 -> charge my phone. No pocket on this side. My evil
twin brother would not like that. An umbrella,
743.64 -> I feel right at home. This is the Limited,
heated seats are an option on this model.
748.38 -> The bench is wide enough so you could put three
adults back here for a short trips across town
754.26 -> but I would keep it to two. That way, you can
have a cup of coffee or a refreshing beverage.
761.88 -> Analyzing the new sheet metal, the cabin is pushed
back from the nose. The windshield flows directly
768.3 -> into the hood with only a slight angle change. I
talked to the chief engineer about the unusually
773.7 -> clean-looking front end (I mean for Toyota) and he
confirmed this is a styling language for the brand
780.84 -> going forward. Thank the design Gods. The Synergy
Drive badge is replaced by the new Beyond Zero
788.1 -> dot. No more blue glow inside the logo either that
signaled hybrid powertrains. Kind of a Lexus thing
794.88 -> happening with the lettering here. The kick in the
lower flanks streams into the rear fascia cut line
800.34 -> for harmony. It all flows nicely. Generation four
had none of that. Need a reminder of that riot of
807.54 -> randomness? Here ya go. I find no glee in calling
someone’s baby ugly, I’m just truly perplexed how
815.94 -> it made it past the first consumer clinics.
(ON CAMERA) As always on events,
820.8 -> no TP trunk test. Besides it’s 6:45 in
the morning, I don’t think they’re open.
828.24 -> Only Limited gets a powered liftgate, it’s
not kick-to-open. It and XLE models get
834.42 -> this divider that eats into cargo room, no,
that’s not cheap Styrofoam. No spare tire,
839.58 -> just a repair kit. It’s easy to mold bag hooks
into here, wish there were some. Dropping the
846.12 -> seats without going to the back door isn’t
a stretch. As far as cubic feet go, I’ll
851.7 -> guestimate the top models have around 45 of them
to fill in this configuration, notice the floor is
857.88 -> nice and flat. Seats up it’s just over 20 cubes,
nearly 24 for the base LE. So ultimately, it’s an
865.98 -> average of 3 cubic feet smaller now. Personally,
I find that a small price to pay for the svelte
871.92 -> looks. The utility should be serviceable for
everyday use. And the security cover is easy
877.92 -> to stash when not needed. My time with Prius
was short but let’s do Red Light Green Light
885.06 -> Green Light- The design is a win.
Nothing more to say there. Toyota
890.1 -> gave the interior team a better budget to
work with. Efficiency can be best in class,
894.96 -> a critical bragging right for Prius.
Every part of the driving experience
899.94 -> is better. Give the engineers a raise.
The ugly duckling becomes a swan. Seriously.
902.717 -> Better materials and a more
conventional cabin layout
902.953 -> Up to 57 MPG with noticeably more power
Still efficient but now
903.235 -> with decent driving dynamics
Yellow Light- The swept styling comes with a
906.36 -> bump in price. The new Toyota interface is vastly
improved but will require a monthly subscription
912.66 -> fee after a year. There’s improved safety tech
that should help with poor rearward visibility.
918.9 -> About $1,000 more than Generation 4, not bad
Improved connectivity will cost,
919.407 -> plans start at $8 mo / $80 year
The rear view is a slit. Yay for
919.828 -> blind spot detection.
Red Light- For some,
921.9 -> the styling will impact entry, exit, headroom
and visibility. Cargo room is down too. Toyota
928.68 -> continues to drag it’s feet when it comes to
full electrification but that’s a separate issue.
934.02 -> Dramatic design may impact usability for some
Uber drivers will have less trunk room
934.573 -> Nope, this is not a full EV, and won’t be
There is the baggage of the outgoing model.
936.96 -> But once people see this in person, the
frumpy reputation should melt away. If
942.3 -> it weren’t such a valuable nameplate, Toyota
could have easily called this something else.
946.38 -> (ON CAM) So I don’t know about you, but
much better looking, better handling,
952.5 -> better performance, better efficiency, that’s kind
of a win for me. And also better infotainment.
961.14 -> It’s a much better vehicle and you
won’t be embarrassed to drive it.
965.76 -> Fugly no more, the 5th generation Prius is a huge
leap forward, and in many ways, the best vehicle
973.56 -> Toyota makes. When it hits the market in January
of 2023, it will turn heads and perceptions.
984.6 -> Normally, I interface with a number of people
and gauge the reaction of a new model. This
991.8 -> trip I was seriously pressed for time. But
the few that did check it out had a strong
996.9 -> reaction. Along the lines of “THAT”S A PRIUS”
(ON CAM) Once again, special thanks to Ryan
1003.98 -> Douthit from Driving Sports TV. We should really
do this again. Yeah I think in Washington state.
1010.76 -> Yes, come out to my off-road course. That would be
great. That would be great and watch his channel,
1016.16 -> he does good work. You do too Tom. I try.
A reminder that I attended this event
1023.12 -> courtesy of Toyota. It paid for my travel,
hotel room and fed me good food. But you
1029.18 -> know that I’m a straight shooter with you.
That’s your first look at the all-new 2023
1035.48 -> Toyota Prius. Before I go let me address
something, there are people out there that
1041 -> feel like this should have been an all-electric
vehicle. I highly disagree. Prius equals hybrid,
1049.58 -> that is marketing gold, auto makers dream of that
kind of branding. If Toyota is going to do a pure
1057.38 -> EV it needs to come up with another name plate
and I don’t think that Bz4X is that, OK? It’s just
1065.54 -> kind of cumbersome. And I did talk to the chief
engineer, he said that there was some thought of
1071.42 -> turning thi s into an electric vehicle and then
they decided against it. I think that’s wise.
1077.96 -> Thanks for watching remember subscribe to
this channel, click notifications follow me
1083.48 -> on social media ad if you have a question leave
in the comments. That’s Driven I’m Tom Voelk.
Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6nUOWr_MazI