The Toyota Prius, hated by many, but also loved by many.
If you know someone who has one, you know that they love them.
If you don’t, you just think they all might just be some of the worst perpetuators of a stereotype on the road.
If you have one, or have had one, you know that there is so much to love and appreciate about the Toyota Prius.
I myself have a love/hate relationship with the Toyota Prius
I owned a 2013 Prius III and it was kind-of awesome for a whole host of reasons.
It was efficient, consumables were cheap to replace, it’s a literal generator if you’re in a pinch, but honestly you would never have guessed that one of those reasons was it’s handling!
It was like driving a mid-engine car…
You see, the battery pack sits low in the rear, right between the two rear wheels, and allows the car to rotate almost like a mid-engine car! (I said almost…) If time and money allowed, I know I would have really enjoyed having a performance suspension with grippy tires, and lightweight wheels.
That said, it was never going to happen, because it was just so painstakingly SLOW…. 0-60 in 10.1 seconds is just plain awful for merging onto NJ highways.
Why was the Prius Historically slow?
We know that Toyota is capable of making fast Hybrids, like the RAV4 Prime 0-60 of 5.7 seconds in a small SUV is quite amazing, my Atlas can only do 7.75 to 60 and our 2020 VW Jetta 1.4t will also only do 7.7 0-60.
I’ve always thought the 2.5 from the Camry hybrid was more appropriate, but alas, we have only been given a 2.0L Engine in the all new fifth generation 2023 Toyota Prius.
How fast is the All New 2023 Toyota Prius 0-60 MPH?
Toyota says that the Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) Toyota Prius will result in an “engaging acceleration experience with 194 horsepower and a 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds”
The Prius with All-Wheel Drive (AWD) adds a high-output IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) motor in the rear to increase total power output to 196 horsepower and results in a 7.0 second 0-60 time.
7 Seconds 0-60 is still faster than Comparable Options
The reality is that the Prius is a commuter, it’s a wagon, and for some reason some folks cross shop it with small CUV’s. When put up against some realistic options (for the same or similar starting $MSRP) 7 Seconds 0-60 is still faster than most comparable options.
*MPGe (Combined)
What About
The
Prius PRIME?
How fast is the All New 2023 Toyota Prius PRIME 0-60 MPH?
2023 Prius Prime 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds
Toyota says that the ALL New 2023 Toyota Prius Prime will benefit from the new 5th Generation Hybrid System with a newly developed lithium-Ion battery increasing EV range by 50% while boosting total power output to 220 hp good for a 0-60 time of 6.6 seconds.
“An EV with an Engine”
The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime increased EV distance by 50%
What about Handling?
The new 2023 Prius Prime had its wheelbase stretched for performance and will sit 2 inches lower, 1 inch wider, and 1 inch longer.
The “Traction” battery will be placed underneath the rear seat to lower the cars center of gravity and increase luggage capacity. (THIS IS HUGE)
Why is Traction Battery Placement Huge?
The attractiveness of the standard hybrid is the huge cavern behind the driver’s seat where I can efficiently and practically haul almost anything. The previous generation Prius Prime’s had their battery go up from the frame and intruded into the cabin effectively reducing cargo capacity. With the battery moved underneath the seats, there will be minimal if any difference in cargo capacity between Hybrid and Prime models.
2023 Toyota Prius Hybrid Gallery
2023 Toyota Prius PRIME Gallery
