An Early Look at the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium
Could the Prius finally be categorized as “cool”?
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Toyota has just revealed its latest Prius Prime model for 2023 and, with its clear restyling and hybrid performance improvements from the previous generation, it could be the new choice for the discerning car consumer in a “sea of electricity.”
The all-new Prius – which was announced earlier this year – arrived with fanfare around its substantially new design, and the Prime maximizes itself in the looks department. To summarize, the Prius Prime is sleek, with a radically raked front windshield that’s more “sports coupe” than “efficient city car.” A sloping rear roof that drops off suddenly at the hatch lip gives an almost boxy-yet-futuristic angle to the rear, while a flat rear bumper complements the front’s near-90º angled fascia. Speaking of the rear, the Prime is actually wider than the previous generation, which is a bold move from Toyota since a wider stance would actually harm efficiency. More on that and these decisions later.
The Prime XSE Premium is also equipped with 19” machine-finished wheels that sit two inches lower than the previous generation. This stance and the large wheels give the appearance of aggression and again goes against the grain of efficiency, yet works well with the Prius Prime’s appeal. Sharp angular LED headlights, a low and pronounced front air dam, rear LED light bar and rear door handles at the C-pillar are other visual choices that make the new Prius Prime stand out.
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Eddie Eng/Hypebeast
Inside, the cabin feels more refined and evolutionary, with driver-passenger enhancements to touch points and visuals being the main takeaway. Dashes of red – at the dashboard, shifter and even on the seats – adorned our test car’s interior that gave the rather-boring black upholstery a much needed pop. We also liked the dual digital screens, acting as the gauge cluster and infotainment center. Bonus points for all the climate controls being accessible through knobs and buttons rather than within menus, and for the volume knob too although it was a bit far for the driver to reach. The most surprising element within the cabin was the steering wheel, which felt small in hand, giving the impression that whoever designed it had handling and dare-we-say “sportiness” in mind.
Performance-wise, the Prius isn’t a sports car, but has shown improvement over the last gen. Inside are two motors: a 2.0L gas-powered engine good for 150 horsepower, and a 161 hp electric motor working in conjunction. The net total of both comes to 220 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque that allows the Prius Prime to accelerate from 0-60 in 6.6 seconds – the previous Prius was up in the sevens. While not sports car territory, acceleration in six seconds is competitive against the Audi A3 e-tron Sportback at 6.5s, the BMW i3 at 6.6s and even the turbo-four cylinder Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 at 6.5s. Overall the car felt zippy when it needed to be and the power should be more than enough for most people, but certainly not for the enthusiasts.
So why did Toyota create a new Prius with big wheels, a wider body and a lower stance, all of which go against the ideals of maximum efficiency? For once, the hybrid Prius is a contender against the “new norm” of electric cars you see on the road. The Prius’s design alone adds a new layer for consumers in search of a car that looks great and drives well, even if it sacrifices a bit of efficiency. Back in the early 2000s, most can remember looking at the Prius and scorning it for being bland and boring; for Toyota to flip that script and now be considered an alternative to a new defacto is invariably a bold statement, and that’s what makes the new Prius different, daring, and possibly even “cool.”
The Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium starts at $39,170 USD and begins shipping in May. If you’re looking for something from Toyota that’s no compromises, the GR Corolla is the latest in the sporty offerings department.
