Test Toyota Prius, the benchmark hybrid reinvents itself

Talk about the Toyota Prius not is to do it in a car either. Since its launch in the year 1997 in Japan, has become an icon and has earned a privileged place. This vehicle has been a precursor, ahead of his time and the proof is that almost 20 years later his philosophy is still intact. It will find the a higher efficiency to its maximum power, the search for savings through four generations. Although its beginnings were difficult, as almost all of them.

The first generation progressed timidly, probably because of the fear of the unknown. But over the years knew how to refocus and evolve. With the second generation began the global expansion and with his arrival to the united States and Europe, won many adherents. The third continued to increase its sales to be one of the culprits that Toyota has sold 9 million of hybrids. To day of today, has sold more than 3.7 million Prius, so it is not surprising that we had so eager to try it out.

And comes into our hands the fourth-generation Toyota Prius, which will probably be where find a greater advancement. The japanese brand wanted to practically reinvent their hybrid par excellence, and it seems to have done. The Current Engine we have already proven from the Yaris Hybrid to the RAV4 Hybrid, going for the Auris Hybrid. In addition we recently had the opportunity to attend the 24-Hour Hybrid of Toyota where we ran with all. If that weren’t enough, we have a greater prospect to be tested last week at the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, one of its rivals direct.

Picturesque

With the new Toyota Prius, the japanese brand has wanted to put a point of inflection. Before looking for a more generalist, more focused to sell the car. Now looking for personality, that the client can differentiate themselves from the rest through this model. As an example of this change of scenery, this Prius may not be approved as a taxi. Probably this fourth generation does not become with the time a bestseller, but yes that is win a hole in heart of a few stalwarts.

From the front we begin to see their lines risky, that you give a dynamic appearance and different at the same time. Highlight your headlights LED with an unprecedented form, complete with the daytime running lights are placed below. The hood will have a marked ribbing that form a ‘V’ and the vertex of which is the badge of Toyota. Below two narrow grills that will be active, allowing for the passage of air when it is necessary to cool the engine and closing when not, to gain aerodynamic.

Because the aerodynamics has been one of the more worked on this Toyota Prius. It is in a ratio of only 0,24 Cx, one of the best in its class. It is evident in your side, where you can appreciate the body type kammback or 17-inch wheels that are duotones, and pretty much keeled, fulfilling the function that we said. Another of its significant elements will be the prolonged fall from the ceiling and a C-pillar with a peculiar shape.

high waist flows into one of the zagas more varied that we can find in the market. It begins with the rear window split in two parts, one of the consequences of the fall of the roof and that it would impair the view slightly. We follow the drivers rear, which are likely to have the record of the dimensions, since they extend more than half a meter down as it is impossible not to recognize them for the night. The bumper is quite voluptuous and its lower part goes in a black color different from the body.

Different technological and

When we entered the cabin of the Toyota Prius also breathes an air of distinct in the rest of the vehicles. The first thing that calls the attention is the complete symmetry that way your dashboard. While the majority of cars will have the instrumentation clearly driver-focused, here will be right in the center. And you can forget the traditional watches, in the Prius is used two TFT screens of 4.2 inches which are followed from one another. Here you can see all kinds of information from speed to consumption, going by the state of the battery.

at The beginning will be a little weird looking just in front of the steering wheel and see a clean space, but it is easy to get used to. Just below are the outputs of the air conditioning, which will detail the name ‘Prius’. And in the center of the center console is the same 7-inch touch screen that we have seen in other models of the brand and that comes with the system Toyota Touch 2 & GO from where you are controls all of the infotainment. Below and in the same moulding Piano Black, we find the controls for the climate control bizona.

And if we keep looking down you will find one of the significant aspects the interior of the Toyota Prius. It maintains the policy levers of change that are used in brand japan, small and unique. This joystick blue comes out in a horizontal position, and despite its dimensions it stands out for its ease of use. Not what we said, but in this area the moulding has changed, here it is white and stands out tremendously with the rest of the car. On the multifunction steering wheel is repeated this pattern, taking some white details.

Although they did not perceive in the photographs we are left a hollow below this moulding and there are placed the buttons to control the air conditioning of the seats. They are too hidden and sometimes hard to find. Opposite to what happens with the area of wireless charging for our smartphones, which is on the low side, and that we have not been able to verify its operation by not having a mobile compatible. Behind two hollow cup-holders, by the color color and shape do not end to convince.

we have Not said it before, but the Toyota Prius only have a single level of equipment. It is a risky bet and that it will limit a lot of the buying options. Even so, we have to say that is very complete, even taking into account that its price is quite superior to the previous. One thing that automatically calls our attention is the Head-up Display, which projects the speed on the windshield, an element that we are not used to seeing in other vehicles generalists. We can also point out the JBL 10-speaker.

Though if Toyota wants to stand out in something their vehicle is in security. As in other models already tested, we find the Toyota Safety Sense, that will bring us a series of driving aids. We find among them a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, sign recognition, or the adaptive cruise control that we handle with the lever behind the steering wheel. Add to the list the intelligent control of road lighting or the warning of involuntary change of lane.

there is No lack of space

the fourth generation of The Toyota Prius is the first model in the range which is based on the platform TNGA. Will be the major reason that has grown a few inches over its predecessor. It is in 4,54 meters long, 1,76 meters wide and 1,47 meters tall. For its part, the wheelbase is 2.7 meters. Thanks to this we find a cabin quite broad, in addition to technological and other than as explained above.

The squares in front are of a noticeable size and it is very easy to access thanks to the large opening of the doors. The seats looking for the comfort and we also have the advantage of the regulation power in several points. Another detail is that are heated, which will become a virtue in the winter. I must say that in our unit were fabric, but that can be ask the leather upholstery, being one of the few options that accepts the Prius.

rear seats will be of the same style in some vehicles of the segment D. will Travel two people to perfection, finding more than enough space for our heads and legs. However, the square central will be closer and elevated, so that it will be hosting an adult only barely. But in addition to a spacious interior, we will find ourselves with a trunk remarkable.

The new Prius has 502 liters of capacity and this means an increase of 60 litres compared to the third generation. Is helped by a forms very regular and the ease of trade, thanks to the opening of the gate. The negative part is that we will not have a spare wheel under the ground, in its place we find a repair kit for punctures. When we need more space, simply recline the second row seats to reach the 1,600 litres .

Mechanical hybrid renewed

We passed to drill down to the heart of the Toyota Prius. hybrid drive system has also undergone some modifications. The gasoline engine Atkinson-cycle 1.8-liter with 98 HP remains the same, although it has sought to improve its efficiency. Is in addition to an electric motor to achieve a total power of 122 HP and 163 Nm of torque, figures below the 136 HP of the previous. It is striking that there is a decrease of power, when the current trend is totally opposite.

The explanation is the search for this efficiency, long-awaited. But however, its performance will not be affected, because at the same time it has reduced the weight of the car up to the 1.450 kg. It is clear that the Prius is not a ‘rocket’, accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 10,6 seconds and its maximum speed is 180 km/h. But our smile will come to the fore when we see in its data sheet a consumption of 3.3 l/100km and CO2 emissions of 70 g/km A bonanza for all those who care about the environment.

Completing the mechanics of the Prius we find the popular change of e-CVT, present in all the hybrid models of the range Toyota. This transmission of the planetary gear, it will work to use as a inverter continuous. Luckily we’ll have the gear selector, what about the rest of automatic gearboxes. batteries nickel-metal hydride (Ni-Mh) batteries are the only option and have a capacity of 6.5 kWh. Therefore, it is completely different to the Ioniq that offers us a dual-clutch transmission and lithium ion battery.

Stealth

When we get behind the wheel of the Toyota Prius, the first thing that we will be able to to highlight is the silent. Okay, the start and the first meters to the right with the electric motor, but beyond that, we will continue to surprise. The aerodynamic improvement is linking a good job of isolation, does that just come to us sounds of the rut and even do not let us distinguish between when it enters the gasoline engine if you are not attentive. This is also the fault of the great refinement that achieves the set, being one of the best cars that I have tested in this aspect.

From the moment that we remove the parking brake foot (another of the details of the Prius) us invades the smoothness and the peace of mind onboard. The acceleration is – linear and rather gradual, it is only annoying when we walk on to the background and we started to notice that ‘slippage’ of the CVT. And at that point it sounds more of what you are, we also note the improvement in hearing compared to other models. Another thing that we see is the easily between the electric mode in game. You simply control a little our right foot to achieve rates of use of up to 30%.

In fact we can be rolling at 100-120 km/h on electric if you toy with mimo the pedal. The the duration of the battery will be higher and its charge time is less, they can go without speeding up to achieve this task. If we want to accelerate that process, we will count with the help of the regenerative braking. We will have to adapt to it, as it makes the pedal feel is something different. We will also have the option of putting the change in position ‘B’ with which we will increase the retention of the engine, which we’ll be braking at the same time that recovers energy.

Comfortable and very thrifty

there Will be few concessions to the sportiness in the Toyota Prius, which is postulated as a standard in comfort. The new multi-link rear suspension is more rigid and improves its behavior, but still looking for comfort, so it will stand out on tours in the city. Also improved management, which now has a touch more natural and enjoyable than before. Therefore becomes in a vehicle, fun to drive, even features three driving modes Eco, Normal and PWR; which is added to the EV mode to adapt to different situations.

If we choose the Eco mode, your answer will be more soft and contained, allowing us to make a consumption very tight. Should I say proud that during the test arrives to get the same 3.3 l/100km which authorises the Prius in a tour pro. The rest of the time it will be easy to around 4 litres, always and when not to abuse of secondary roads. On average in the more than 500 kilometers of test we get 4.7 l/100km, a figure could be improved but it’s still very good for the use we have given.

Conclusion

The fourth generation of the Toyota Prius continues to meet the goal set since their launch: to be a reference in the sector. Has improved in all its aspects, and it was not something easy. In the first place is presented with a picture much more personal, that will turn heads at your pace, and will not leave anyone indifferent. Its interior is also updated to be at the height of his opponents and we will have a remarkable technological endowment, in addition to an image differentiated.

Its hybrid drive system will be more efficient than ever before and will provide benefits sufficient despite the power reduction. Is smooth, refined and quiet; in summary with a car that will be very nice to drive. Furthermore, it will be very easy to make low energy consumption, close to 4 litres. The negative part is that is sold with a unique finish, without being able to choose just options. The positive that it is a finish very well equipped and with a good price/quality ratio, on the basis of the 29.990 euros.

Equipment Toyota Prius

Price of Toyota Prius in Spain

the Opinion of the editor

Gallery of images Toyota Prius

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