2023 Prius & Prius Prime - Japanese Reveal Photos & Recap

Looks very cool. Glad they are moving the battery in the Prime. Dont know if I would call it "reborn", but a modest improvement. Feels more like an Smart phone upgrade from one year to the next: Some nice improvements, but nothing earth shattering. But maybe more will be revealed over time.

 

Trying to keep the photo intensive posts in one thread.

Great photos in the following article:
2023 Toyota Prius Debuts In Europe As PHEV With 220 HP

Note the solar panel roof.
Btw, these pictures are clearly Toyota Press release pictures. So, if Motor1.com cries copyright, I'll report
them to Toyota for illegally claiming copyright on Toyota's copyrighted photos. Yes, that is illegal.

 

Page 2 of photos:

 

Page 3 of photos:

 

I literally hate ALL but one change they made, that was the larger battery. The 19 inch wheels are a stupid mistake that will cost money and efficiency. The performance hike will kill efficiency look at the new Corolla hybrid. Nobody needs 0-60 that fast, it was rarely a thing before Tesla and now suddenly everyone cares about acceleration. This car will be about as fast as a BMW 3 series from 5 years ago, totally unnecessary. The interior looks hideous with that new screen design and center screen that sticks up. I would much prefer the Hyundai accent interior over this crap. 22 will be the last year the Prius was great.

 

Can't wait to see the specs but I really love the design.

 

I haven't been paying attention so maybe I just missed this but... do the back doors not open? Or is it a 2 door?

 

One problem is that a lot of ordinary cars in the US market do have 0-60 that fast, and then people expect everyone except semi trucks to have that acceleration, which causes issues. (There are other solutions for this, but they're legislative, and we all know those will never be implemented.)

...also, frankly, I have a suspicion that the Corolla Hybrid's efficiency hit is partially EPA test group shenanigans no longer being possible. (It's also partially that the more efficient trims weren't in the EPA database last I looked. But, before 2023, the Corolla Hybrid was basically treated as a variant of the Gen 4 Prius as far as the EPA testing, which could have improperly given the Corolla too high MPG.)

And, the 2.0 liter engine has slightly higher thermal efficiency than the 1.8 liter, partially offsetting efficiency losses from a more powerful engine and hybrid system.

 

Higher res photos here: World premiere for fifth-generation Toyota Prius, 100% Plug-in Hybrid for Europe

And I was able to get this out of those:


That really isn't much to work with, but it looks to be a confirmation of 195/50R19.

Also, that press release says up to 19 inches, confirming a smaller size, even for the European market which is PHEV-only.

 

I think the back door handles are right next to the windows, toward the rear.

 

Magnifico!

 

Doesn’t sound to me a very good size in terms of handling and holding the road, especially with almost double the power than before.
Tires would have the same width of gen2 albeit with larger wheels; gen4 tires with 17 wheels have a width of 215 mm, so +20 mm than 195.
They will be probably more efficient though.

 

It’s a really great look, inside and out. Toyota needed to do this for Prius. No complaints about the redesign from me. Looking brilliant. Will save further comments until I get to actually drive one. I never did warm up to the G4 looks, although I do admire its efficiency and drivability gains.

 

Looks cool. The biggest question is the price. And availability. For the US buyers, with Toyota's tax credit gone, I just don't think it will be affordable for many. Also, the longer EV range is very welcome, but I wonder how the sportier design, bigger enginin and larger tires affect the overall efficiency?

Will be interesting to find out more for sure.

 

Continues Toyota's sourcing of Yokohama BluEarth tires.

I know @bhtooefr noted earlier about 195/50R19 tire size for Europe, but I cannot for the life of me find this size tire from Yokohama in the BluEarth range. Hmm. I tried to scrub the video to see tire size imprint on the sidewall, but no luck for me.

Interesting to note ground clearance at different points around the vehicle, as well as headlight and brakelight operation.

 

I was wondering this as well.
I see three options.

1. Toyota used the ‘handle adjacent to the window’ tact a few other cars have. If so, it is very, very subtle and I applaud Toyota in hiding it so well.

2. Suicide doors?? I doubt this highly, however, I would like that quite a bit.

3. Are the exterior images CGI? If so was it simply omitted?


Overall I am very impressed. I very much like the changes although I doo have a couple concerns. I hope to be able to sit in one when they make it to Minnesota.


Edit***
I saw the rear door handle! It is vertical at the edge of the tiny side window at the back of the rear door window.
Very smart and well hidden

 

what's not to like? i think they nailed it!

can't wait to see inside, what is the cord going through the window trim?