2016 Toyota Prius Driven First Drive Review

PRICE  $25,035

The hybrid juggernaut shows no sign of slowing down.

 Hybrid vehicles in general, and the Toyota Prius specifically, have turn out to be so much a part of the material of the automobile scene that it’s smooth to overlook that the original Prius went on sale in Japan much less than 20 years in the past. And it didn’t come to the usa till 2000.
But since 1997, Toyota has hawked greater than 5 million Prii of numerous descriptions around the arena. As such a mainstream model, it receives regular updates every six years, so we’re right here to give you the lowdown at the 2016 model.
Like such a lot of conventional sedans of yesteryear, the brand new Prius is longer, lower, and wider. The period growth is two.Three inches even as the opposite two exchange by using best zero.6 inch, however the net effect is to offer the ’16 Prius a sleeker and barely greater athletic stance. Even as the general profile keeps the wedgy teardrop appearance that commenced with the 2004, 2d-generation Prius, the body panels have some more creases and bulges to offer extra visual interest. LED headlights and rear lights are both smaller and more one of a kind than the current model’s, and the hoodline dips markedly decrease.

This nearer-to-the-pavement influence is extra than cosmetic, due to the fact the brand new model has a one-inch-decrease center of gravity, way to the brand new TNGA (Toyota New international architecture) platform, which uses extra excessive-power metallic and presents 60 percentage greater torsional pressure. With this platform, the Prius additionally gets a multilink rear suspension, that is heavier than the preceding torsion beam however affords greater favorable suspension geometry, for better handling. This heavier suspension, at the side of the relocation of the hybrid battery from the trunk location to below the rear seat, probable bills for most of the middle-of-gravity discount. Passenger volume is fractionally smaller than earlier than, but trunk space has grown from 22 to 25 cubic ft—or even greater in some variations. Internal, the brand new Prius retains the traditional vital instrument cluster, but the dashboard now sweeps into the doors gracefully and has a totally prominent critical show with honestly separated HVAC controls. However, the top of the dashboard remains hard plastic with a softish coating. Of path, the massive wide variety here is gas financial system, and even as the reliable figures aren't yet out, Toyota is projecting that the ratings will are available at 54 mpg town and 50 at the motorway, will increase of 3 mpg (city) and 2 mpg (motorway) over the current automobile. With weight essentially unchanged and simplest a small aerodynamic improvement—the drag coefficient drops from zero.25 to zero.24—this is a beneficial development. But wait, there’s extra. Toyota is likewise introducing a Prius Eco version that is expected to gain considerably higher mileage—attempt 58 mpg metropolis and fifty three dual carriageway. To attain these consequences, the Eco version, more well called the Prius two Eco, starts with the bottom Prius model and cuts sixty five kilos thru numerous measures. A lithium-ion battery instead of the nickel-metal-hydride battery shaves 35 pounds. The relaxation comes from doing away with the rear wiper and from changing the distance-saver spare tire—and its attendant jack—with a tire-restore and inflator kit.