Toyota Prius Is Hybrid Perfection

Technically, the Prius was not the first hybrid to hit the U.S. market. Still, it certainly was the first hybrid that mattered, and its combination of efficiency and practicality made the Prius a runaway sales success. In the multiple Prius generations since, Toyota has steadily honed and improved on the hybrid drivetrain. Now that there are plenty of hybrid models from which to choose, particularly from Toyota, the brand has adapted by making the latest version of the Prius stunningly beautiful and more fun to drive. These were the last ingredients in bringing the Prius to near hybrid perfection. Valley Hi Toyota gives you the details.

It is being stated by reviewers across the automotive industry that the Prius is one of the sleekest and best-looking sedans on the market. From the pointy nose that inspired the front-end design of the rest of the Toyota sedans to the dramatic supercar-rivalling 21.6-degree windshield angle to the attractive “Kamm rear” with the fill-width taillight embedded in gloss black, the Prius is attractive from any angle. Proportions also make a difference, with the current model an inch longer and wider but two inches lower than the previous generation. At the same time, the Prius retains its ability to seat five and retains its rear hatch to provide easy access to the cargo area.

Because the 5th–generation Prius looks so much faster, Toyota sought to make it so. A 2.0-liter engine replaced the previous model’s 1.5-liter, and when combined with the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system, power jumped from the previous model’s 121 hp to 194 horsepower. The result is easily the quickest Prius to date. 0-60 acceleration, which was once measured in two digits, is now reached in 7.0 seconds, or 7.2, with the available all-wheel drive system; the latter being another way the Prius expands its marketability.

The brisk performance does not impact its famous fuel economy, which remains spectacular. The EPA estimates the Prius’s city/highway/combined mpg to be up to 57 / 56 / 57, and reviewers have found those figures easy to match in their own testing. MPG varies by model, but the lowest showing is for an AWD XLE or Limited grade, which is still estimated at a lofty 49 / 50 / 49.

The inside of the current Prius is a pleasant place to do the business of driving. The standard center touch screen is 8 inches, but this increases to 12.3 inches on upper trims. Both are horizontally positioned in contrast to the previous model and more in keeping with the swept-back appearance of the exterior. The phone charger is “likely the best wireless charger any automaker has ever designed,” according to automobile enthusiast site Jalopnik. You drop your phone in a toaster-like slot on the console next to the shifter, and a spring-activated buffer snaps it into position. You could run the Prius on a rollercoaster track, and the phone would stay in position.

The most unique aspect of the dash design is the placement of the driver’s digital information display. It is at the base of the windshield, where it is viewed over the steering wheel rim rather than under. The display can be scanned easily without taking your eyes off the road, essentially filling the function of a head-up display with superior clarity.

The best part is that you don’t have to pay dearly in advance for your fuel savings later. The base LE has a starting MSRP of $28,350, and a top-of-the-line Limited AWD model starts at $36,765. That puts the entire Prius model line at about $20K below today’s average new vehicle price. And that average new car likely doesn’t look as good as the Prius.

With great looks, even greater fuel economy, and the safety, quality, and reliability of a Toyota, shopping the Prius is a must for anyone looking for practical and economical transportation. Check out all the Prius model has to offer at Valley Hi Toyota in Victorville, CA.