And that complex AWD system? We’re not getting it.
At the ongoing Los Angeles auto show, Japanese auto juggernaut Toyota has pulled the wraps off its halo hybrid model, the Prius. The timing and venue of the unveil could not be more important for Toyota, as Los Angeles is arguably the stomping ground for the Prius, where celebrities would rather be seen in a petrol-electric fastback than anything else.
With the new model year comes a new look for the Prius, and by Toyota’s own admission, they’ve cleaned up the overall aesthetic appeal of the hybrid family car. The look is now smoother and more coherent than before, doing away with radical design features in favour of more digestible cues. They’re responding to the buying public here, who felt the outgoing car was a bit too out-there for their liking. As a motoring hack, I personally favoured the bold lines, but there we are.
The interior has been given a bit of a refresh too, with Toyota improving on the “sensory quality” of the Prius to a degree. They’ve employed more refined materials inside to push the perceived quality upwards, while there have been layout revisions to the centre console and tunnel to improve ergonomics and usability.
There’s no new kit in the cabin of the Prius however, with the only notable update inside being the new infotainment screen. Toyota says the new head-unit incorporates features like ‘pinch’ and ‘flick’ functionality, like the kind you’re used to on your smartphone, which they say will greatly improve the user experience.
There are also no powertrain updates under the bonnet, with the same 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine paired to two motor/generators and an smart-CVT automatic in the middle. Toyota Australia has made it very clear that the e-AWD system that the Prius will now receive in North America (that puts electric motors in the back to power the rear axle) will not be making an Australian debut. The usual gamut of safety systems are also unchanged, with the same pre-collision systems, collision avoidance features, and active high beam all continuing to be offered on the ‘new’ Prius.
However, when it arrives in April 2019, it won’t be alone (at least not for long). Next year will also bring about the new Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, which together with the Prius, will sit alongside the Corolla hatch & saloon, both of which offer hybrid powertrains. As a result, Toyota is expecting to reap the benefits of offering a wide range of hybrid vehicles, inadvertently setting up the next-generation of buyers to more-readily accept the benefits of electrified mobility. Prices are expected to be about the same as the existing car, with comparable levels of kit, and a similar variant structure as we’re presently used to.
For the best deals on a new Toyota, check out our Showroom.
