Used 2023 Toyota Prius

There are 82 million reasons to like the Prius. That’s how many tons of carbon dioxide that have not, according to Toyota, been released into the environment thanks to the company’s hybrid vehicles. And the Prius is the godparent of hybrids, the OG of low emissions.

Now there are 82 million and one, and something we might never have anticipated from a Prius. How about those looks? That story about ugly ducklings and swans springs to mind, as the new Prius attains a certain grace.

For all those people who wished the Prius was punchier — whether for driving or following — we have good news. Power has increased significantly from 121 to 194 horsepower, or 196 with all-wheel drive. And that extra power made itself apparent within the first minutes of our very first drive. The notoriously lackadaisical Prius is now quicker than perhaps most cars in its size/price range. Toyota says 0-60 mph has dropped from a lackluster 9.8 seconds to a rather astonishing 7.2 seconds. This really is a different Prius altogether.

Getting back to 0 mph is a similarly impressive exercise. Gas-electric hybrid systems improve fuel economy by recapturing braking energy, a byproduct of which can be uneven brake feel. But nobody does it better than Toyota, and the new Prius stops smoothly and confidently.

The steering and suspension systems have been tuned to complement the newfound athleticism, but without impacting ride comfort to any meaningful degree. We found the new Prius about as smooth on the highway as most cars of its ilk, if not the quietest. The steering is very light, with inputs requiring very little effort.

Our outward vision was somewhat hampered by a small rear window. There is a remedy for this, though. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, and a digital rearview mirror comes with the XLE and Limited trims. It shows a clear image of what’s behind the car, thanks to a rear-facing camera. Technology like this has enabled Toyota to push the design envelope, unrestricted by small compromises.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and researching the current collection of hybrid cars including this new Toyota Prius.

Hooray. Toyota has finally added a driver information display in front of the driver, as opposed to a single unit atop the center console. It’s only taken five generations.

The dashboard as a whole echoes the car’s front end. It’s clean and modern. We also like the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen available in the higher trims, as well as the wireless charging location. This is a secure spot just ahead of the center armrest, big enough to take an iPhone 13 Pro Max in a case.

There is a compromise for rear passengers, though. The lower roofline means taller adults will be arguing about who gets to sit up front. But if you don’t regularly transport taller adults in your backseat, don’t worry about it.

It’s a shame that those places where elbows usually come to rest are still under-padded. And even though Toyota can fit dual-zone automatic climate control to base models of the C-HR subcompact crossover, it decided not to here. Not in any trim.

Cargo space behind the rear seats is at least 20 cubic feet. A couple of golf bags will fit with plenty room to spare.

We understand Toyota’s wish for the Prius to be distinct. Over the years, it’s been a torch-bearer for a different kind of driving and a correspondingly different kind of driver. It could be argued that this approach hasn’t always been successful from an aesthetic angle.

This time around, the Prius remains singular. But now it’s sleek as well. From almost any viewpoint, it looks as if it was sculpted in a wind tunnel. The lines seem simple, like the taillight bar going across the rear end, but they’re effective in their proportions and minor details.

The roof is two inches lower than before, the body is an inch wider. It’s amazing how such apparently small increments can make such a visual difference. This thing is gorgeous.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Smartphone integration in a convenient cable-free format comes as standard with every new 2023 Prius hybrid.

Infotainment systems
The base LE has an 8-inch touchscreen, bigger than the outgoing model. A 12.3-inch display is optional in the XLE, standard in the Limited. Six USB-C ports are standard, and the 2023 Prius can receive over-the-air upgrades.

All-wheel drive
For people who live in areas where winter tires are probably a good idea, then adding this option brings extra reassurance.

Digital key
Accessing the 2023 Prius can be done by smartphone. This is optional in the XLE, standard in the Limited, and enables functions like remote locking/unlocking.

Powered tailgate
Exclusive to the top Limited trim, a powered rear hatch/tailgate/liftback/whatever-you-want-to-call-it adds a touch of pampering.

Advanced Park
This is a hands-free parking system for parallel and perpendicular spaces, available as an option in the Limited model.

Just as the rest of the 2023 Prius is new, so is its hybrid drivetrain. A 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine replaces a 1.8-liter unit. It’s augmented by a more powerful electric motor to create a total of 194 horsepower, noticeably better than the previous generation’s 121. A lithium-ion battery is stored beneath the rear seats.

Drive goes to the front wheels (FWD) in standard form. A second electric motor driving the rear wheels comes on board with the optional all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Output rises modestly to 196 horsepower.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the outgoing LE model was capable of achieving 52 mpg in combined city and highway driving. Toyota estimates that the new LE should manage 57 mpg. That’s an impressive figure, particularly in conjunction with the significant increase in power.

In response to rising catalytic converter thefts, Toyota is now offering steel shields as a dealer-installed accessory. Depending on where you park your vehicle, that could be one dealer add-on worth considering.

2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine + electric motor(s)
194/196 total horsepower (FWD/AWD)
EPA combined (city/highway) fuel economy: Up to 57 mpg, says Toyota

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Toyota’s basic new-car warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first, with powertrain coverage of five years or 60,000 miles. This is typical among mainstream car companies. Hybrid-related components have their own warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, while the hybrid battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free maintenance.