The Toyota Prius took on a full redesign for 2023, and we’re already starting to discuss the 2024 Prius. Are we being impatient with this iconic hybrid car?
When the term hybrid is mentioned, many people immediately think of the Prius. This car has been the top hybrid in the market for the past twenty years, but it’s always had some fatal flaws. One of those flaws has been a lack of styling, which has, thankfully, been corrected. If you miss out on the goodies added to the 2023 version, don’t sweat it, the 2024 Prius has the same stuff.
When sensibility matters
From the time the second generation model of this hybrid car arrived, the Toyota Prius has been the most sensible car in the market. It doesn’t have the capability of a pickup truck, but you can put stuff in it. It’s not as powerful as a sports car, but it gets up to highway speeds relatively well. It’s not a large family hauler, but five people can fit inside most Prius models. When you want a car that gets you from A to B without being fussy, complicated, or expensive, the Prius does the job well.
Toyota took a chance with the new Prius
The 2023 Toyota Prius represents the start of the fifth generation of this hybrid car. It entered the market with a new approach and philosophy to ensure this car could grab more attention. You can barely see the wedge design of this new model, and the polarizing aspects of the previous generation are finally gone. What we see today is a sensible car with a lot more personality than before. This gives the new Prius the right look to be more acceptable to more drivers than ever before.
This new model draws inspiration from other Toyotas
As you look around at the 2024 Prius, you’ll find a car that brings a few features from other Toyota vehicles. The new TNGA-C platform allows this hybrid car to have a much lower center of gravity which increases the overall stability of the car. The Hammerhead headlamps resemble the front fascia found on the new bZ4X electric crossover. If you head around to the back of the car, you’ll find a set of taillights that replicate the shape of what we’ve seen on the Toyota Mirai hydrogen-powered sedan.
Enjoy a higher-quality interior in the Prius
The cabin area of the new Prius is useful and practical; no surprise there. You’ll find a traditional dashboard layout and controls that are easy to find. You’ll find several comfort features that make it easy for you to have the feeling you want inside this car. The Prius has heated and ventilated front seats, ambient lighting, and a panoramic glass roof. The new look gives the Prius a more attractive style and the desired quality for everyday driving.
Toyota gives the Prius a better infotainment system
The latest Toyota Prius includes an impressive multimedia system. This new system is responsive, well-designed, and easy to use. The standard touchscreen for base models is 8 inches in size, while higher trims receive a larger 12.3-inch screen. Every version of the new Toyota infotainment system includes wireless connectivity via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. To make things even better, these Prius hybrids also have a wireless charging pad at the higher trim levels to ensure you’ve got the right way to keep your vehicle charged up while on the road.
What’s the safety like in this hybrid?
The 2024 Prius includes the Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 suite of driving aids on all models of the Prius. This system includes some incredible features like lane-tracing assist, pre-collision alerts with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assistance. This new Toyota accelerates smoothly and brakes well, making it an easy hybrid car to drive and enjoy every day. As expected, part of the braking system is the regenerative braking, which captures energy from the brakes and sends it to the hybrid system to make this little car even more efficient.
All this sounds great, but what about the power?
You won’t find V8 levels of power in the new Toyota Prius, but you will enjoy a much more powerful version than what was offered in previous generations. The latest model takes the old 121 horsepower and tosses it out the window. In the fifth generation model, you’ll find a larger 2.0-liter engine mated to the hybrid system to give you 196 horsepower. This is enough power to accelerate this car to 60 mph in only 7.7 seconds. That time is a full three seconds faster than the previous generation of the Prius. Now you can challenge older Prius models to a drag race and leave them in the dust.
Is the fuel mileage still where it should be?
If you choose the 2024 Prius, you’ll find the FWD models receive 52 mpg combined fuel mileage numbers for the XLE and Limited trims, while the base LE model achieves 57 mpg combined. These numbers dip a little with the e-AWD system included. The Prius Prime delivers more power than the regular Prius but still has the same level of fuel mileage as the previous generation. If you want to enjoy a Toyota Prius that hits 225 horsepower, you’ll want to choose the Prius Prime.
The AWD system is pretty helpful
As mentioned, the Toyota Prius is one of the most sensible and practical cars on the road. With that in mind, you expect the AWD to increase your confidence when faced with slick and wet road surfaces. This is precisely what the AWD system does for you. The AWD system uses a motor in the rear to give you the added traction you need when you head out on the road.
The 2024 Prius also comes with three driving modes which are Normal, Eco, and Sport. These three driving modes allow you to enjoy a fantastic ride with the right settings.
Although this new 2024 version of the Prius doesn’t bring anything new to the mix, it does have several advantages over previous-generation models. Will this be the new Prius you love to drive?
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