Toyota Prius

Toyota's quirky design approach can also be found in the car’s interiors like in the case of the center-mounted information gauges. The interior of 2020 Prius is a very comfortable place to be in and can accommodate tall occupants quite comfortably, thanks to upright seating. Toyota does offer Apple Carplay but no Android Auto in any of the Prius trims however the more expensive variants do come equipped with an optional 11.6-inch tablet-style touchscreen infotainment unit whereas the standard touchscreen infotainment system is offered with an optional Qi wireless charging pad.

Toyota’s design approach for Prius can be best described as quirky. For the 2020 installment not much has changed even though the latest iteration of Prius gets redesigned bumpers, headlights, and tail light clusters. The headlamp gets a sharper and spikier motif and even the taillights now get brand new units. The bodywork features asymmetrical creases that include both concave and convex shapes for body panels and a unique dual wave rear glass. Toyota’s approach to Prius’ design is quite functional and the company claims that the styling also improves the car’s aerodynamics. The 2020 Prius hybrid-electric sedan is available in 7 color scheme options.

2020 Toyota Prius is based on the company’s all-new Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) which bestows the car with a low center of gravity and therefore improving the handling characteristics of the hybrid electric sedan. The platform has also been designed to enhance the aerodynamic performance of the car. The steering relays little to no feedback but the system compensates for the lacking feel with a well-weighted unit which makes turns easy and comfortable. The vehicle architecture holds its own quite nicely and makes Prius feel nimble and agile in corners even though there is noticeable body roll and tires constantly fight to find grip. The car manages to tackle uneven road surfaces and bumps quite well and remains composed while offering a very soft and comfortable ride even on more challenging road conditions.

The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime comes equipped with three different driving modes that have been designed to maximize the car’s fuel economy and power output. The 2020 Prius is not the quickest hybrid in the segment as the 0 to 60 mph acceleration time sits just under 10 seconds. The EPA estimates for the fuel economy of an all-wheel-drive Toyota Prius variant stands at 52 mpg for city driving conditions and 48 mpg for the freeway. EPA ratings for front-wheel-drive versions stand at 54 mpg for city and 50 mpg on the freeway. However, the EPA estimates do improve if customers opt for the more frugal Prius Eco models which offer up to 58 mpg of fuel economy for city driving conditions which drops down to 53 mpg on the freeways.

The 2020 Toyota Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter 4 cylinder is CVT hybrid powertrain which manages to generate a combined power output of 121 BHP. This includes the 96 bhp of power and 105 lb-ft of peak torque, generated by the 1.8-liter 4 cylinder aluminum DOHC 16 valve VVT-i IC engine and a 71 BHP, 120 lb-ft electric motor.

The brakes perform quite well especially when we take into account the size of Toyota Prius and additional weight put on by the hybrid powertrain and batteries. Other than at low speeds, the brake pedal offers a linear and smooth feel. Toyota offers a wide range of driver aids as standard in the 2020 Prius, a large majority of which is offered on the Prius even at the lower end of the model range. Some standard safety and driver assistance features include lane-keeping assist, automated emergency braking, lane departure warning, and forward-collision warning. The more expensive variants of the 2020 Toyota Prius are also available with a self-parking feature. In tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Toyota Prius managed to earn a 5-star crash test safety rating. Prius was also selected as a top safety pick by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

The 2020 Toyota Prius is a legend, however, in the hybrid segment. However, legendary more often than not means borderline obsolete as success in this space can only be achieved if one has the latest innovations to offer which is not exactly the case with the 2020 Prius. The Insight hybrid by fellow Japanese carmaker Honda manages to offer better driving dynamics, Hyundai Ioniq offers better efficiency and Toyota’s very own Corolla Hybrid manages to not only offer similar fuel economy but also gets a cheaper price tag. However, Prius does have some redeeming qualities like comfortable interiors, impressive reliability, respectable fuel economy, and Toyota now also offers Prius with an all-wheel-drive system which is hard to find in hybrids.