It was 1997 when Toyota had the audacity to transfer to a production car a technology that had long been tested in prototypes. The result was the Toyota Prius , the first series-production hybrid and a model that laid the groundwork for the electrification of the automotive industry at a time when… no one was talking about it.
Twenty years later, the Toyota Prius is in its fourth generation and with a look as controversial as the first. What also changed (and a lot) was the landscape of the automobile industry during this period of time and the competition to pioneer could not be fiercer.
And it mainly comes from indoors — have you counted the number of hybrid models that Toyota has to offer in 2020? Only the Aygo, GT86, Supra, Hilux and Land Cruiser do not have a hybrid version.
The question we ask is: does it make sense for the pioneer of hybrids to still exist? Taking advantage of the newly received restyling and the novelty of now being able to have all-wheel drive, we put the Toyota Prius AWD-i to the test.
Inside the Toyota Prius
As with the exterior, the interior of the Prius is typical of a… Prius. Whether by the central digital instrument panel, which is quite complete, but requires considerable time to get used to; even the fact that the handbrake is applied with the foot, everything inside the Prius couldn't be more… Japanese.
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By the way, the quality also follows the Japanese gauge, with the Prius having a remarkable robustness. Still, I can't help but consider that the choice of materials used in its brother's interior, the Corolla, was a little happier.
As for the infotainment system, it has the same qualities (and defects) normally recognized as systems used by Toyota. Easy to use (shortcut keys help in this aspect) and quite complete. It only sins for having a dated look compared to what most competitors have.
In terms of space, the Prius takes advantage of the TNGA platform (the same as the Corolla and RAV4) to offer good levels of habitability. Therefore, we have a generous luggage compartment, with a capacity of 502 liters, and more than enough space for four adults to travel in comfort.
The curious positioning of the handle of the e-CVT box brings to mind the slogan written by Fernando Pessoa for Coca-Cola: "first it gets strange, then it gets in."
At the wheel of the Toyota Prius
As I told you, the Toyota Prius uses the same platform as the Corolla (incidentally, it was the Prius that debuted it). Now, this simple fact alone guarantees the Toyota hybrid a competent and even fun behavior, especially when we take into account that the Prius has efficiency and economy as its main objective.
The steering is direct and communicative and the chassis responds well to the driver's requests. Still, there is a hit more focused on comfort compared to Corolla. The all-wheel drive system, on the other hand, reveals a quick and effective action.
As for the benefits, the 122 hp of combined power propels the Prius with pleasant speed in most situations, especially if we choose the “Sport” driving mode.
Obviously, it's impossible to talk about the Prius without mentioning its hybrid system, its raison d'être. Very smooth, this favors the electric mode. As on the Corolla, on the Prius Toyota's work in the field of refinement is notable, allowing for a considerable reduction in the inconvenience we usually associate with the CVT gearbox.
Finally, with regard to consumption, the Prius does not leave credits in the hands of others, making very good use of its hybrid system to achieve excellent results.
Throughout the test, and in a carefree driving and with considerable use of "Sport" mode these were around 5 l/100 km . With the “Eco” mode active, I got averages as low as 3.9 l/100 km on a national road and 4.7 l/100 km in cities, with a considerable use of electric mode.
The all-wheel drive version of the Toyota Prius has 15" alloy wheels with an aerodynamic bonnet.
Is the car right for me?
I started this text with the question "does the Prius still make sense?" and, after a few days behind the wheel of the Japanese model, the truth is that I can't give you a concrete answer.
On the one hand, the hybrid icon that is the Toyota Prius is now better than ever. The hybrid system is the mirror of more than 20 years of development and impresses for its smoothness and efficiency, its dynamic behavior is surprising and the consumptions continue to be remarkable.
It maintains a non-consensual design and style — one of its hallmarks — but remains immensely aerodynamically effective. It is (very) economical, spacious, well equipped and comfortable, so the Prius remains an option to consider.
On the other hand, contrary to what happened in 1997, today the Prius has much more competition, especially internally, as mentioned. Objectively, it's impossible not to mention the one I consider his biggest internal rival, Corolla.
It has the same 122hp 1.8 hybrid engine as the Prius, but for a lower purchase price, even when the choice is for the Corolla Touring Sports Exclusive, the van in the range with the highest level of equipment. Why the van? The luggage compartment capacity is even greater (598 l).
It's true that the Prius still leads in absolute efficiency, but does it justify the almost three thousand euros more (standard version, with two drive wheels) for the Corolla?
The new Toyota Prius AWD-i also adds all-wheel drive, which entails an even considerable increase compared to the two-wheel-drive Prius, at least in this Premium version — its price is 40 594 euros . An option to consider for some, we do not doubt, but unnecessary for an urban/suburban use, which is where we find most Prius.