Don’t look now, nevertheless it’s been twenty years because the Toyota launched the Prius gas-electric hybrid, efficiently promoting a driveline idea that had been tried because the vehicle was invented, however by no means successfully nor profitably executed. To have fun, Toyota is constructing 2,020 copies of the 2021 Prius 2020 Particular Version, a automobile we first reported a few 12 months in the past.
It comes as Prius gross sales declined practically 38% in 2020 from 2019, a decline that is perhaps defined by company cannibalization: Toyota provides hybrid drivelines all through its lineup, from Corolla to Avalon, in addition to on the Highlander, RAV4 and others.
On condition that the Prius begins at $24,545 — or $29,875 for the 2020 Particular Version — it can save you practically $1,000 or extra by choosing the Corolla Hybrid, a automobile that provides practically similar gas economic system and doesn’t resemble an alien life kind.
As well as, the Prius has credible competitors, such because the Hyundai Ioniq with its higher EPA numbers, the Honda Perception that’s extra enjoyable to drive, and the Kia Niro, which, just like the Honda, is much better wanting. Even worse, hybrids are available many kinds, from minivans to off-road SUVs like the Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The Prius has misplaced a lot of its distinctive promoting proposition.
Toyota is conscious of this. Deputy Chief Engineer Koichi Kaneko mentioned in an interview with TheDetroitBureau.com a 12 months in the past, “For the following Prius now we have to consider tips on how to … separate [it] from the remainder of the Toyota line-up.”
Overview
Supplied in L Eco, LE, XLE, and Restricted trim ranges, all fashions are front-wheel drive, though Toyota now provides all-wheel drive in LE and XLE trims. Selecting the XLE with AWD-e trim offers you entry to the Superior Expertise Bundle, which provides navigation and a head-up show — two good choices. The take a look at automobile, the Prius 2020 Particular Version, is mainly a front-wheel-drive Prius XLE with a flowery trim bundle.
Exterior
There’s no parsing phrases: the Prius is stunningly unattractive. You possibly can’t drink it fairly. However the 2020 Particular Version does its finest to gussy up the previous woman with black 17-inch alloy wheels, color-keyed rear spoiler, blackout headlight elements, trim, B-pillars and mirrors. It’s obtainable in two colours: Supersonic Purple or Wind Chill Pearl.
Our crimson take a look at automobile was significantly placing, because it makes the very best of the Prius’ ungainly design. It’s helped by the mannequin’s LED lighting, though given this automobile’s frugal persona, you’d count on them.
Inside
Inside, the Prius 2020 Version wears “2020” insignia ground mats, in addition to a black shift knob, black A-pillar trim and smoked HVAC vents. In any other case, this resembles an XLE inside. The take a look at automobile was properly outfitted.
The imitation leather-trimmed heated entrance seats are 8-way adjustable driver’s seat and 4-way adjustable passenger’s seat. It additionally options an imitation leather-trimmed heated steering wheel, though the highest of the wheel remained chilly. The seats have been snug and legroom is greater than ample entrance and rear. The inside was quiet on freshly paved roads. That modified on older roads as tire and highway noise engulfed the cabin.
As earlier than, the digital instrument cluster is heart mounted on the high of the instrument panel. This limits the motive force’s capacity to consistently monitor pace or fool lights. The automated local weather management is straightforward to make use of, however the compressor struggled to chill the inside, regardless of not being in Eco mode.
Powertrain
The Prius returns with a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter 4-cylinder fuel engine paired with an electrical motor up entrance. Ordering all-wheel drive provides a further motor within the rear. It generates 121 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque by means of a constantly variable computerized transmission with front-wheel or all-wheel drive.
Security and Expertise
As you’d count on, stability management, traction management, anti-lock brakes, digital brake-force distribution, and brake help are normal. So too is Toyota Security Sense 2.0, a set of driver-assistance applied sciences that features computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert with steering help, lane-tracing help, computerized excessive beams, adaptive cruise management, and road-sign help.
A 7-inch touchscreen, with six-speaker audio system, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa and compatibility is normal. You additionally get a USB media port, two USB cost ports, and a Qi-compatible wi-fi smartphone charger. The display’s consumer interface is way simpler to make use of than ones provided in pricier Lexus autos.
Driving Impressions
Don’t be fooled by the Prius’ sprightliness off the road — a sensation typical of electrically enhanced drivelines. As its horsepower and torque figures recommend, the Prius is not any pace demon, though its patrons aren’t on the lookout for that.
Nevertheless, whenever you want a sudden burst of energy to overhaul a automobile at freeway pace, the transmission is reluctant at finest, even in “Sport” driving mode. Given its stately tempo, some drivers might discover themselves mashing the throttle in a quest for extra energy. Alas, this solely results in mediocre gas economic system, as our take a look at automobile’s 36 mpg gas economic system attests.
The driving expertise continues to be one among ethereal vapidity. There’s nothing in the best way of highway really feel. The steering is gentle. The suspension ably soaks up bumps aside from the very worst offenders. Physique lean comes on in corners and the Prius communicates its limits lengthy earlier than you attain them. Surprisingly, there’s little regeneration really feel when braking as in different hybrids or battery electrical autos, and brake pedal really feel is gentle and missing in progressive really feel.
The unmitigated absence of persona is ironic given its alien life-form styling.
Wrap Up
Regardless of its distinctive trim, the 2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Particular Version stays what it all the time was: a automobile engineered to attain excessive gas economic system on the expense of any driving pleasure. Clearly, this isn’t a driver’s automobile. This labored 20 years in the past. However a altering market, and lots of higher decisions for green-oriented drivers, makes the Prius more and more more durable to suggest, not solely in opposition to its competitors, however in opposition to Toyota’s different hybrid fashions.
