2023 Prius --- first impressions in person!

Today I sat in the 2023 (pre-production) Prius at the Toronto AutoShow. They had the XLE in Guardian Gray for guests to step into, and some sort of unicorn solar-cell-roofed 2023 Prius Prime XSE (based on the tire size) in Supersonic Red up on a pedestal behind velvet rope. I think it was the same pre-production model they had in Montreal, based on the YouTube video I watched.

I also got to test drive the bZ4X, and the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid. Hope I didn't bury the lede.

As for the Prius, it matched my impressions from (basically every) video on YouTube I've watched. I agree with some of the Youtubers who've noted that beyond the seat and wheels coverings (whose SofTex feels very nice imho) some of the materials feel cheaper than the previous gen, like the door armrest. This might be for pre-production reasons, or that the materials being more ecologically sourced may not be able to match the rich, supple qualities of the skin of cows drenched in fossil oil byproducts.

It was extremely easy to see the main spedometer display over the steering wheel, which had a nice range of adjustability. I also loved the lumbar feature of the powered seat, which to THIS (two thumbs) middle-aged man, makes the X in the XLE well worth the markup.

The smaller trunk makes the IKEA shopper in me wince a tad, but a vehicle purchase should not be based on the needs of an annual shopping excursion that is solved with a $30 delivery fee, now should it? (steps away from lecturn)

The bZ4X was familiar due to the similarity of the dash to the 5th gen Prius. I don't have great insights to share here, but I really enjoyed both test drives, and particularly the higher regen driving mode of the bZ4X, which wasn't full one-pedal driving, but got pretty close. Still waiting for a accelerator that makes it easy to find that "coast" position that is the hypermiler's friend.

Anyway seeing the 2023 Prius has sated my curiosity, and made it easier to wait for the Prime I've had on order for 50 weeks. Maybe I'll see it in May?

 

The 2023 Prius Prime at the Toronto Auto Show.


The Prius XLE

 

Headroom is much less than current gen Prime (haven't sat in the Prius), but I'm over 180cm (5'11), and moved the seat as high as it would go and it was fine. It was, however, a little more difficult to get out of, too.

 

I can only compare it to my 2019 Prime, and the trunk opening is quite a bit narrower, although now the floor is flat with the rear seats down.

I didn't ask about spare tires or repair kits. They had no idea when Prime pricing would be available. I did ask about bZ4X in the rest of Canada, and they had no idea about that either, but didn't seem too optimistic.

Several of the Toyota/Lexus reps were from Montreal, and the woman I spoke to said Ontarians COULD buy the bZ4X from a Quebec dealer; they just wouldn't get the provincial rebate of $7k. So, that would seem to be an option!