2023 Prius & Prius Prime - Japanese Reveal Photos & Recap

Very mixed feelings about this Gen5.

I like *a lot* the exterior styling.
I am not too sure about the bZ4X interior though. I hope they kept the heads-up display (at least as an option in one of the trims), because you can tell me all you want, if the speed numbers is not projected "far" ahead of you, having only the speedometer behind the steering wheel, no matter what, you still have to take your eyes off the road and re-focus.

I am very disappointed there is no "solid-state battery" 700mi range EV Prius in this announcement. There were rumors already in 2020 that Toyota was a leader in the battery research for this tech.
I certainly understand that with 40 mi range you might do most local trips, but truth is that I don't want to deal with oil changes every year with Toyota dealers that don't even put what they are supposed to (i.e., 0W-20 instead of -16 as required in all Toyota technical documentation and user's manual), when I drive 50% or more of the time in EV only. The engine on my Prime has essentially worked less than half of the overall miles driven.

So, I am not too sure I would trade-in my 2021 Prime for a Gen5 PHV. I think my next step has to be a full EV. I feel like it would be a step back for me getting anything else than an EV, coming from a PHV. For a first time buyer coming from an ICE-only car, with range anxiety, and all other related doubts about EVs, this looks like a fantastic option.

 

I don't think it is here yet. I think this is going to be a repackaged and more dense (or higher voltage) Li-Ion battery. But until we see the specs, it's anybody's guess.
In the meantime I have noticed that the "new" Crown for the USA market has Ni-MH only.

 

Actually there's a picture of the European dash (left hand steering, km/h on the speedo) that shows a button below left of the steering wheel that has a button with AC 230V (to the right of the gas door button and rear tailgate button) on it. Maybe we'll get at least one 1500W 120V receptacle.

No energy density has increased significantly since 2016. It's likely liquid cooled which can make it much smaller.

 

The press release here (World Premiere of All-New Prius in Japan | Toyota | Global Newsroom | Toyota Motor Corporation Official Global Website) says the the PHV version has a Li-Ion battery. Solid-state is still not here (maybe they have the tech, but producing it reliably and at automotive grade, still a challenge that prevents full scale production - maybe Gen6...?)

 

At the investors meeting they said the solid state battery is working as expected, but it cost 3 times as much as a similar size battery.

 

Well, the Prime when it came out was very expensive. They could have made a "special" EV Prius for the rich people. How much it costs doesn't seem to block others to sell EVs at 100k like butter...and they are not necessarily any better in quality and reliability like Toyota (e.g., Tesla anyone....?)

 

Ha ha yeah your right about that. But if you look closely at the battery, you'll see two pipes leading into the bottom of the battery tray just below the orange cable conduit (probably part of cable conduit but it's not electrical so it's not colored orange).

 

Cleanmpg mention there is a 'room' mode to keep the power going for uses like camping.

Those EVs have big batteries for long ranges. At triple the price, a Toyota solid state will add at least $20k to the price. Assuming $100 per kWh for 100kWh, which is low.

Using them for a no plug hybrid means less added to the price. They also couldn't make enough cells now to meet a 'like butter' demand for a BEV.

 

Given Toyota's comments about EVs I would not expect one in a very long time, if they had one it would sell for 150k+ and people will still buy it.

 

It would be the most reliable EV on the road also.

 

Would the wheels stay on

 

whoever misled you to believe that ...... maybe go have a talk with them - they shouldn't blow smoke up one's backside.
below is our garage with 4 banger single exhaust, & yes the gas cap door/exhaust are both on the same side.

 

My first guess was that Gen5 Prius PHV will be using a new battery type.
Possibly using Panasonic Prismatic/Pouch cells. Iirc, some Toyota exec suggested that the Gen5 Prius PHV would be using a new battery type/technology over 5 years ago.

Toyota previously announced that the Prius PHV "would likely be the 'test bed' for the next gen of batteries".
With lower production numbers, it'd be easy to support the newer technology, (and to do any rolling changes/updates).
Can't quickly find link.

Code:

https://m.futurecar.com/1751/Toyota-Expands-Partnership-With-Panasonic-on-Battery-Technology
Toyota Expands Partnership With Panasonic on Battery Technology
Jan 19, 2018

https://www.greencarreports.com/news/1121051_toyota-and-panasonic-to-jointly-make-electric-car-batteries-explore-solid-state-tech
Toyota and Panasonic to jointly make electric-car batteries, explore solid-state tech (Updated)
JANUARY 22, 2019

Then again, Toyota might have just put the Gen4 Prius Prime battery pack in a big 100-ton press, and compacted it.

Imho, for the Gen5 Prius PHV, the lower center of gravity, and the 220HP, makes it a very compelling car.
However, for me, the ~$10K-$20K cost to change, is not worth it.
Fwiw, wholesale prices for used vehicles, have been dropping like a rock, for many weeks.

 

Seems odd there are no pictures of inside the hatch with the rear seats up and/or folded.

 

11:35 and 41:00 minutes

 

That seems to be the hybrid.

It is odd Toyota didn't release any official photos of the area.

 

solid state battery will not be the end all for personal transportation. Often weight and energy density matter more than efficient translation of usable energy.

Just because EVs are about 90% efficient at converting the electricity into mechanical energy does not mean that they will be more energy dense and thus efficient.

The 10,000 lb HUMMER EV will be more efficient at converting the electricity that it uses into mechanical energy than even the 1.8L/2.0L inline 4 that will be in the new Prius. I think the more power will come from the electric motors and the engine will remain the same as they've stated it will net similar efficiency as the current model. So 40% efficient in converting gasoline to mechanical enegry.

But we have to remember that gasoline is immensely energy dense. About 100 times as dense as an an equivalent EV battery.

That is my position at least. I think at current technology, the Prius PHEV will be the best of both worlds. Very energy dense/efficient and capable of using EV battery tech to manage lower speeds where gasoline is not as efficient at start/stop.

 

Wow...I really like the design...Toyota certainly did their homework here. Glad I skipped the 4th gen!