Same name, different car, Ian Lamming assesses the new Toyota Prius and discovers that it’s uber-impressive
WHAT is in a name? Well, quite a lot really.
It’s your first acquaintance, your first impression, your make or break moment, especially when it is a familiar label.
Let’s try it now… Prius. What are you thinking? Are you thinking pioneer in hybrid technology? Solid? Reliable? Last-forever-dependable. You might be. Equally you could be thinking Uber, taxi, private hire.
So when Toyota decided to bring out the fifth generation of this utter stalwart it must have crossed its mind whether to keep the name when the vehicle itself could not be less ‘public transport’.
The new Prius is not a taxi for many reasons. Just look at it. It is sleek and sporty, the stuff of science fiction not mass transit. Perhaps Celica would have been a better name.
Low at the front, high at the back and smooth from tip to toe, the new model grabs attention for its stunning looks. It has a shark-like nose with ultra-slim headlights. Then its sensual sides feature interesting lines which meet at a chopped off but attractive rump.
Proportions, including wheels and short overhangs, are perfect making it one of the most attractive looking cars on the road and, practically speaking, one of the best at cheating the wind, which reduces noise and boosts fuel consumption.
Inside is equally impressive. Think Thunderbirds or Captain Scarlet, Gerry Anderson and Supermarionation. The fascia is much more BZ4X than C-HR and it feels unique, special, uber-modern. Yet the tech doesn’t bewilder and there are plenty of buttons for primary functions instead of unfathomable menus of swipey touchscreens. The driver feels cocooned in a cockpit any fighter jet pilot would be proud of, which adds to the whole pleasure of the driving experience.
That driving experience is flawless. When you are tired and just want to get home, it cossets, leaving the cabin devoid of tiresome engine, road and wind noise. Controls are easy to find and use and the infotainment boasts an excellent sound system.
When the horns emerge and you are in the mood for a more engaging drive then the Prius also excels. The 2.0 litre petrol engine is mated to a one-speed CVT automatic gearbox which ensures the revs rise instantly into the heart of the power band. With a combined power of 223HP there are huge reserves of oomph making the Prius rapid off the mark (0-62mph in 6.8 seconds) and swift in the mid-range for safe overtakes.
Meanwhile, the scalpel-sharp steering, superbly comfortable yet controlled ride and brilliant levels of grip make this the perfect tool for the twists and turns. It is just so involving and sporty to drive that enthusiasts will love it.
All that yet it remains frugal too. When the battery is fully charged Prius will run 50 miles on pure electric.
When it works in tandem with the petrol motor you can expect to see MPG figures of 80-100 on the trip computer and even when the charge is fully used up I couldn’t get consumption to fall below 60MPG, which is incredible. The CO2 figures are ridiculously low. At around 12g/km exhaust fumes are virtually fresh air and probably lower than the levels in the cabin when you are sharing the car with your family.
‘Design’ specification is the base model yet the Prius has nearly every luxury I require. Even the black covers on the non-alloy wheels look cool.
If I miss anything at all it’s the lack of power assistance on the tailgate and perhaps heated seats, but that’s it and the design never approaches feeling cheap.
To say I’m impressed with the latest Prius would be an understatement. It looks fabulous and goes even better. It’s a vehicle designed to change public perceptions about its name. It is uber-impressive but it is certainly no taxi.
