The Ur Prius was introduced in 1997 as the first mass-produced hybrid car, and immediately became renowned for excellent fuel economy. Toyota has steadily improved its base formula for the hybrid system since then, resulting in what we have today.

This is the fifth generation Prius featuring the fifth generation hybrid system. Despite a plethora of hybrid vehicles from other manufacturers in its segment, the Prius is generally regarded as the flag bearer where hybrids are concerned.

Where Priuses (or is it Pri-ii?) were once visually ho-hum to okay, the way this Prius looks gets car enthusiasts hot under the collar.

Outusaido

Sharp, sleek lines and narrow headlights at its nose give this Prius a sporty stance from the word go. The way the windscreen is raked back and the profile swoops up, back and down again from the front bumper to the C-pillar adds to the sporty profile.

17-inch rims wear eco-friendly 195/60 R17 Bridgestone Ecopia EP150 tyres, which are pretty quiet and comfy on the move, except over rougher tarmac. Although they can be momentum-driven into a corner, expect such antics to be accompanied by loud shrieks and howls from the tyres.

Black plastic cladding brackets each wheel arch, contrasting nicely with the test car’s white paintwork.

The rear-end, to me at least, seems more traditional Prius, with a high boot line and gloss black trim above the rounded bumper.

The reverse camera sits proud of the gloss black trim just below the light bar. This is because the infotainment system is an aftermarket item, and this is the camera which comes with that head unit. More on that later.

Innusaido

Swing open the tailgate to reveal 370 litres of boot space, which is a bit on the smaller side. If more is needed, drop the 60:40-split seatbacks to liberate additional carrying capacity.

To open the rear doors, one needs to press an electronic switch hidden away behind the black trim. While nice, a mechanical handle similar to that in the Toyota C-HR would have probably been easier to implement and cheaper.

Here’s where the swooping roofline of the Prius becomes a small fly in the ointment – during back seat ingress and egress. Remember to duck your head to avoid hitting the roof pillar as you enter and exit the vehicle, especially if you are taller. The previous Prius was better in this regard.

The legroom in the rear is good, and I can sit behind my own driving position with the driver’s seat all the way back and some ways up.

Rear seat passengers can avail themselves of two USB Type C ports for charging mobile devices. No rear aircon vents though, which is a pity.

The manually adjustable front seats are standard Toyota comfortable.

So is the steering wheel, which looks a little large at first, but is actually nicely sized for daily driving duties.

However, it needs to be adjusted a little lower so as to not obscure the small seven-inch instrument screen a la the Toyota bZ4X. The screen can be configured in a few ways, but a larger, more traditional screen would be preferable.

An aftermarket nine-inch infotainment system from Pioneer sits proudly at the centre of the dashboard and features wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The cable for wired connectivity sits in the glovebox.

The sound system can play loud and clear and can be tuned to punch out bass to where the wing mirrors vibrate.

Doraibingu

No surprises here, the Prius is as easy to drive as any Toyota. The suspension is standard-fare Japanese car, and tends to thump over road imperfections, but is otherwise fine.

Road noise at higher speeds does intrude somewhat, and better wheel-arch insulation would have been appreciated. However, wind noise is pretty much non-existent.

Outward visibility is great, and parking is a cinch, even without using the backup camera image on the infotainment system.

Underhood sits a 1.8-litre four-cylinder hybrid engine making a combined 138hp.

Don’t let that number put you off because in real life, the Prius picks up with urgency thanks to torque from its internal combustion engine and electric motor. The Prius can be pointed and squirted if desired, but the engine will moo whilst doing so.

This then brings us to the raison d’etre of the Prius – fuel efficiency. Toyota claims 4.1-litres/100km or 24.4km/litre. Is this achievable?

No.

It is more than achievable. I managed to clock a weighted and normalised average of 3.31-litres/100km or 30.2km/litre across both the street and highway routes.

Then came the round-island mixed-drive Tour de Singapour in which the previously-reviewed Corolla Cross Hybrid clocked a then-impressive 27km/litre.

The Prius, already having scoffed at that figure twice, put in yet another 30.3km/litre or 3.3-litres/100km for good measure. This with my neighbour, who’d recently experienced the same Prius in Japan but with a two-litre engine, riding shotgun instead of just me driving alone.

Where the Yaris Cross Hybrid comes close, I’ve never seen this level of consistency in efficiency numbers across all three test routes before. Which is why the Prius now sits as King of Full Hybrids among all the hybrids we’ve tested to date.

Lest anyone thinks that these numbers come courtesy of hypermiling, I also decided to do an impromptu hypermiling-esque eco-challenge, and the Prius delivered with 48.6km/litre or 2.06 litres/100km.

Naturally, your mileage may vary with use-case and driving style, but the Prius can play ball if you so choose. How?

Hybrido Doraibingu

By driving a hybrid like a hybrid. In other words, utilise the pulse-and-glide technique and drive smoothly, not slowly. This applies to all full-hybrid vehicles Here’s how to do it.

First off, select this Energy Monitor screen to be shown on the instrument cluster, and keep it on for all drives.

Pull away from a set of traffic lights with light throttle pressure to allow the Prius to set off using only its electric motor.

When the engine kicks in, add a little more throttle pressure to accelerate up to the speed limit quicker, then ease up on the throttle and the Prius will alternate between pure electric drive, regenerative braking and using the engine to drive the car and charge the battery.

Also, anticipate ahead and let the vehicle coast and reduce speed. The idea here is to try and avoid a complete stop, since moving off from a standstill requires the most energy, be it from the electric motor, internal combustion engine, or both.

Finally, use gravity to your advantage by letting the vehicle gain momentum downhill in an electric-only drive. By keeping the throttle constant, it will then shed this momentum on the next uphill while using minimum petrol, and you’ve effectively coasted the distance for free.

Should You Buy One?

There are two chief competitors to the Prius that need mentioning.

First is the Volkswagen Golf R-Line. Being a COE Cat A car means less road tax. It’s also pretty good on fuel and feels solidly planted on the road. Although it costs around $9,000 more, there’s also a Golf Life Plus variant that’s almost $1,000 cheaper than the Prius.

Second is the Hyundai Avante Hybrid Elite. At almost $13,000 less than the Prius, the Avante Hybrid represents excellent value for money, especially with heated and cooled seats, dual-zone climate control and rear aircon vents. Plus it does excellently on the fuel efficiency side of things, and is a COE Cat A vehicle, meaning less road tax.

But, and it’s a rather big ‘but,’ one cannot ignore what the Prius stands for. Toyota’s generational improvements to the hybrid system mean that the Prius is currently the last word when it comes to full hybrid-vehicle fuel efficiency.

One also cannot ignore Toyota’s legendary reputation for reliability and being easy to maintain. Yes, it may be simple, but that also means fewer things to go wrong.

For those who value these traits, the Toyota Prius Hybrid awaits.

Photo Credits: Sean Loo (@auto.driven)

Technical Specifications

Toyota Prius Hybrid

Engine Capacity: 1,798cc inline four-cylinder
Engine Power: 97hp @ 5,200rpm
Motor Power: 94hp
Combined Power: 138hp
Engine Torque: 142Nm @ 3,600rpm
Motor Torque: 185Nm
Drive: front wheels
Transmission: continuously variable transmission (CVT)
Top Speed: 180km/h (claimed)
Unladen Weight: 1,350kg
Fuel Capacity: 43-litres
Battery Type: Lithium-Ion
Fuel/Energy Economy: 4.1-litres/100km or 24.4km/litre (claimed)
Price: S$190,888 with COE (accurate at the time of this article)
Contact: Toyota Singapore

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If you think that “Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition” is a mouthful, we agree.

It’s been 100 years since the famed French 24 hours race was first run back in 1923, and to mark this momentous occasion, Japan National Tourism Organisation (JNTO), Toyota, Toyota GAZOO Racing (TGR) and Mazda Motor Corporation jointly held an exhibit called “Japan. Endless Discovery.” where this hotted-up concept Prius was unveiled to the world at the Manufacturers’ Village at Le Mans in France.

Notable improvements seen here include improved aerodynamics and traction by way of exclusive performance aerodynamic parts (side skirts, canards, large rear wing, rear diffuser, etc.), lightweight carbon-fibre bonnet, wide-track suspension, 235/50R18 tyres and exclusive aerodynamic wheels, and multi-headlamps for improved nighttime visibility.

This concept Prius takes inspiration from TGR’s WEC-competing GR010 HYBRID race car.

If you’re wondering why Mazda is also involved in this exhibition, it’s because back in 1991, Mazda was the first Japanese manufacturer to take the overall title at Le Mans, so they definitely have some standing here. Currently, TGR is the only Japanese automaker in the French endurance race that’s also on a five-year winning streak.

See the manga on the walls behind the cars? That’s the work of manga artist Masahito Soda, renown for his motorsports-themed capeta manga series, and was given the honour of conveying the scenery and culture of Japan as well as the history of Mazda and Toyota at Le Mans through his art form.

“For me, a race fan for as long as I can remember, June is a special month every year. It was fun for me to reflect on the famous scenes so far and to draw while imbuing my pen with respect. To the great Le Mans 24 Hours, which marks its centenary, to Mazda, which was the first Japanese manufacturer to win Le Mans, to TGR, which is contributing to the world through its victories in Le Mans and other motorsports events, and to all the racing drivers who continue to inspire us, I would like to say: ‘Thank you very much.’ I have learned a great deal from Japanese craftmanship and the attitude of taking on challenges while never giving up, especially since I became a manga artist. Toward the realization of a carbon-neutral society and the taking on of new challenges for the future, I believe that this race will surely open up a world of possibilities. I will put everything I have into supporting it again this year,” said Masahito Soda who is also car enthusiast at heart.

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Developed under the “Hybrid Reborn” concept, the new Prius has wowed worldwide audiences with its stylish looks and impressive specs, all while being environmentally friendly. Prius HEV models are already on the roads in Japan, and they are already turning heads.

Now, Toyota is going to offer a new PHEV variant, aptly termed the Z grade. It will be equipped with the latest plug-in hybrid system, which combines a compact, high-capacity drive battery, high-output drive motor, and high-efficiency gasoline engine.

So why consider a PHEV?

PHEVs have the ability to cover the majority of daily driving using just the electric power from the charged battery. Essentially, you are driving around with the quietness and brisk motor-based driving performance of an electric vehicle (EV).

On longer drives, the engine is on hand to supplement battery power, ensuring that you don’t suffer from range anxiety. 

Plus, the Prius has the added advantage of being able to be used as an external power supply system. The car can provide power during outdoor, leisure, and emergencies. There is also an external emergency power supply mode that provides a larger supply of power during blackouts, disasters, and other emergencies by using the engine to generate electricity. You’re effectively driving around in a backup generator.

The Prius PHEV isn’t a slouch either, with a maximum system output of 164 kW (219 bhp). You get all this power and are still able to garner 30.1 km/litre fuel efficiency with 17-inch tyres fitted. On battery power alone, the Prius PHEV can travel up to 105km, a 75% improvement compared to its predecessor. 

Paving the way forward

With petrol cars becoming “less environmentally friendly” and EVs still shy of being viable for the mass population, plug-in hybrid systems are, for now, the way to go, providing an immediately accessible pathway toward carbon neutrality.

So cars like the Prius PHEV may be the best solution for our current sustainable debacle.

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Toyota, the world’s number one automaker, pioneered mass-market hybrid vehicles with the launch of the Prius back in 1997. This wedge-shaped block of cheese was indeed dull, and soon became the laughing stock of automotive subculture.

However, what the Prius excelled in was its inert ability to save fuel, and that cemented its place as one of the world’s most iconic hybrid vehicles.

Since its debut, Toyota has sold approximately 5.05 million Priuses to date, with this new generation being its fifth iteration. To put that into perspective, Tesla has barely passed the 3 million mark, and that figure is a cumulative sum of all of its production models. Sales peaked in 2010, with more than 500,000 units sold worldwide. Even though Prius sales have since tapered off, its hybrid technology has trickled down into other Toyota models.

Why isn’t there an EV model you might ask? 

Well, Toyota contends that its hybrid technology still has a long roadmap ahead of it. It’s definitely an interesting toss-up, in a world where most other car manufacturers are grasping to seize a bite of the global EV pie. 

So what’s changed?

Toyota mainly focused on two areas for the new Prius, according to Satoki Oya, a deputy chief engineer at Toyota – Design and Drivability. 

While the new Prius is instantly recognisable thanks to its distinctive teardrop shape, the lower stance, sleeker body, shark-like nose, and futuristic-looking headlights and taillights elevate the once bland and boring commuter into an entirely new design realm. Dare I say it, it actually looks quite good.

Toyota was a little shy on the interior, bestowing us with only a single image. Even so, it depicts a large horizontal touchscreen, a tablet-styled digital instrument cluster screen behind the steering wheel, and (thank god!) a physical row of buttons for HVAC operations.

Thank you, Toyota, for not keeping up with the trend of touchscreen-ing every single button in the car.

The chunky steering wheel is similar to what we have previously seen in the upcoming bZ4X EV, and the gear shifter on the centre console is reminiscent of the joystick-style unit found on the old Prius.

The new Prius will be delivered with either a 1.8-litre or 2.0-litre hybrid engine. This renowned combination of a combustion engine, electric motor and battery deliver better fuel economy and acceleration. Toyota has also teased a 2.0-litre plug-in hybrid system that further boosts maximum power and range.

The new fifth-gen Prius also has the grunt to go with its new looks. Toyota claims that the reworked hybrid system produces 193 bhp in standard form and 220 bhp in the plug-in-hybrid model. This is a huge step up from the current model, which has a measly combined output of just 121 bhp. At this juncture, we do not have confirmation on which engine configuration will be making its way to Singapore.

The new Prius is equipped with a Toyota Safety Sense monocular camera at the front, a rear-facing camera for the Digital Inner Mirror, and an in-vehicle drive recorder. Interestingly, the data recorded is stored on the car’s ECU instead of a regular SD card, to avoid potential data corruption.

Eight different body colours will be made available for the Prius, including two newly-developed solid base colours – Ash and Mustard. We sincerely hope that the famous Toyota lime-green colour makes another appearance in this new model.

Regular variants of the Prius will come with a panoramic view moonroof which can be fully opened, while PHEV variants are instead equipped with a second-generation solar charging system. The car is able to draw power whilst being parked, and the energy generated is equivalent to driving up to 1,250 km per year.

Pricing and availability for the new Prius weren’t disclosed during the reveal, although we can bet it would still be affordable for most demographics. Toyota did stress it would be “affordable for everybody” after all.

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