Is Gen 5 Prius really better-looking than Gen 4 Prius Prime?

That's the money shot IMO.



Mine.

 

Thanks! I knew about the wheel covers but didn’t realize the rear lights and matte verses gloss differences. I have an XLE coming so it will be glossy black trim, alloy wheels and the nicer rear lights…not that I will get to enjoy any of these things while driving. : ) I’d rather the better gas mileage but needed some of the interior upgrades.

Yes…that is the best angle. My 2009 looks best from that angle too although I love the 2009 rear end as well. I like conservative lines.

I’m noticing more cars with a similar look. Must be the future design for rear ends.

 

Meh

 

There's a light bar difference? I only noticed the regular Prius has a red bar, and the Primes have the cleared tail light bar.

I also recently noticed the matte wheel well trim pieces, bummer on that.

 

Very, very little difference from a whole view perspective. The only thing that REALLY stands out are the bigger wheels (when you're up close). And I wasn't willing to take the MPG hit. I passed on several XLE's.

Rejoice! You're driving one of the coolest cars of 2023... and beyond. And I personally like the LE wheel look from a distance compared to the aluminum. It looks stealthy/blacked out. Does the SE come with the hubcaps?

The Cheaper 2023 Toyota Prius Hubcaps Are Awesomely Angular

The Cheaper 2023 Toyota Prius Hubcaps Are Awesomely Angular
Didn't think a Prius could be cool? What about its... wheels?

 

If it were mine, and if I was handy with tools, and if I had a place to work on cars, I'd probably fix it up. If not, I'd donate it to my local public radio station.
Oh wait, that's what i did with my last car. It ran, but i donated it.

 

I’ve always admired this body style. *Oops this was supposed to be a response to Mendel’s photo of his Gen 3. *

Me and my desire for conservative lines. I just didn’t like the design of the odd angled dashboard / console connection. I still enjoy the minimalist interior of my 2009 with matte metallic accents.

 

I think it would be cool to have the rear of a Gen 2 with the front of a Gen 3. And the interior of a V.

 

We both want the same car. : ) Why didn’t they consult with us? I had no idea the V didn’t have the funky console until a woman pulled up in one to ask me a question. Would love a V with better gas mileage.

 

And a V with the extra row of seats in the USA. And I'd like the multi-level B mode on the Camry and Avalon hybrids in all the Prii.

 

You nailed IT!! IT being that beauty is in the eye of the beholder

 

It's unfortunate you won't be partaking in owning the new Prius. I appreciate all the knowledge you bring to the forum though.

With that being said, all the other prospective Prius owners job of finding one just got a tiny bit easier.

 

Objectively, there is no good or bad looking car.
Culturally, there are agreed upon things that are more or less ‘beautiful’. However, those norms are not universally agreed upon by every individual.

The gen 5 Prius adopted many traits that fit the cultural idea of ‘beauty’.
Some of these traits may negatively impact efficiency or ease of use.

So to answer the thread title, I believe most people will consider the looks of the Gen 5 more appealing than the Gen 4.

Will everyone? No, of course not.

 

You can't win them all. I can't remember a car in recent history that has performed such a 180 in the public perception from last gen to new. It seems like the main thing that was holding everyone back was it's looks or maybe even lack of power. Now such things are no longer barriers, and suddenly a econo car like a Prius is now in hot demand.

Before the new gen, a lot of people wouldn't be caught dead in a Prius no matter how much more efficient it was over the competition. Now I've got friends who never liked Prius' complimenting the car, and a couple of them who want one now. The reality is you cannot please everyone.

I feel like whatever the tables were, be it 90%/10% of those who couldn't stand the looks vs those who could/liked it, has completed flipped to 10%/90%. Whatever the percentage is, this is an undeniable home run for Toyota.