Driven: 2023 Toyota Prius Gets Rid Of The Hybrid Stigma

There was once a time when driving a Toyota Prius would be considered a form of torture to automotive enthusiasts. It was slow, ugly, and about as exciting as watching paint dry. Everything changed when Toyota released the new fifth-generation Prius, a completely reimagined take on the iconic hybrid vehicle. The amazing fuel economy was carried over with none of the awkward styling and dreary driving. Oh, and did we mention it now produces nearly 200 horsepower?

When it came time to book a car to drive around for a weekend trip to Boston, we felt the Prius would be the ideal choice. Boston's roads are horrendously confusing (having been designed before the advent of cars), and the "tarmac" is just a series of potholes that have been lazily filled in. After spending a long weekend with the Prius, we believe it might be quite ideal for vacation time that includes a lot of driving.

In the glow-up to end all glow-ups, the 2023 Prius left its uncool image behind and isn't looking back. This is a genuinely stylish car, especially done up in Limited trim, like our tester. The Limited gets a fixed glass roof and rides on 19-inch wheels, which look great paired with the Reservoir Blue paint. Supersonic Red is another stupendous option, but it adds $495 to the price.

There were more than a few occasions when someone driving an older Prius did a double take to look at our tester. We could visibly see their facial expression change as they realized that the sporty blue car next to them was actually the new Prius. It was a fun and satisfying phenomenon to experience.

The Prius has gradually improved from cheap econobox to plush commuter, and this latest model is the culmination of that transition. In Limited trim, the Prius has every feature you could possibly need from a daily drive: heated and ventilated front seats, a heated steering wheel, a 12.3-inch touchscreen with Wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless phone charging, digital key capability, and a premium JBL sound system. Heated rear seats are an optional extra only on this trim.

We like Toyota's cabin design, and it feels smartly laid out. There's a nice storage bin in front of the cupholders, which also has hidden storage underneath. We typically hate wireless phone chargers, but this one actually holds the phone in place and keeps it juiced up (though our iPhone did overheat while using it).

All of Toyota's efforts to beautify the Prius didn't come without one or two drawbacks. Tapering the roofline to create a more attractive car takes away from cargo and passenger space, but it's a trade-off we believe most consumers will be willing to make. The trunk holds up to 23.8 cubic feet of space, but that number shrinks to 20.3 cubes in the XLE and Limited grades. For comparison, the outgoing Prius could accommodate between 24.6 and 27.4 cubic feet. It's more than sufficient for the small family.

Passenger space is a similar story with 34.8 inches of legroom and 36.4 inches of headroom in the back; the previous Prius offered only 33.4 inches of legroom, but it was a little more spacious in terms of headroom. Front headroom is also down nearly 1.5 inches, which could be a pain point for taller drivers.

Driving a Prius used to be an exercise in patience; it would get up to speed eventually, but it took time. This new model gets a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (up from a 1.8-liter), and output has jumped from 121 horsepower to 194 hp (196 hp with optional all-wheel-drive). With that substantial increase in power, the 0-60 mph now takes 7.2 seconds in front-wheel-drive guise instead of an agonizing 9.8 seconds. It's no performance car, but it's a significant improvement over what it was.

Even in hilly areas, it's easy to keep the Prius coasting quietly, though you will hear the engine come on when brisk acceleration is requested. There is still a distinct engine groan resulting from the CVT, but it never feels underpowered. The regular Prius may not have the 44-mile electric range of the Prime in base specification, but there is an EV button that can run the car without the engine for a few miles at low speeds.

With larger wheels, the Limited trim averages 52 mpg (compared to 57 mpg combined in the LE), meaning you can cover well over 580 miles on a tank of gas. Opting for AWD drops efficiency. by around three miles per gallon. We drove over 150 miles during our weekend vacation and didn't even use a quarter tank.

Starting a $27,450 for the LE grade, the Prius is still an affordable commuter car for buyers who want a fuel sipper and aren't ready to make the switch to electric. It's worth noting that the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is cheaper at $23,300, but the fuel economy and available amenities aren't as impressive. Buyers who want a more practical vehicle may want to consider the RAV4 Hybrid crossover, which starts at $31,225.

The Prius can get pricey in the upper trim levels, as evidenced by the nearly $38,000 price of our tester (not including destination). Though it lacks ventilated seats, the mid-level XLE only costs $30,895 compared to $34,465 for the Limited, and it's still available for under $35,000 with options.

This may sound like an overstatement, but the 2023 Toyota Prius is the best redesign we have seen. It adds more power, better styling, and more technology without totally ruining practicality or efficiency. Toyota's only problem will be building enough to meet demand.