A face solely a mom might love.
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Toyota’s Prius is the OG hybrid. It’s been saving gasoline all over the world for practically 1 / 4 century. But this gasoline-electric automobile hasn’t essentially been a fantastic selection for economy-minded motorists in areas topic to wintertime ice and snow. Rectifying this, the automaker launched a Prius with all-wheel drive, a variant that offers up little or no effectivity in change for enhanced traction in sloppy situations.
LikePunchy around-town efficiencyInsane real-world gasoline economySpacious inside
Don’t LikeDisappointing dynamics, even for a hybridGets winded on the freewayInefficient lane-centering
Without even making an attempt, I’ve averaged practically 58 miles per gallon in an XLE-trim AWD-e mannequin, which is, frankly, astonishing. What makes that rating much more spectacular is it contains loads of interstate driving at excessive speeds, a state of affairs the place hybrids are usually out of their component. These autos are typically extra environment friendly round city, the place frequent stops and begins allow them to recuperate vitality that might usually be wasted.According to the EPA’s nebbish number-crunchers, this all-wheel-drive gasoline-electric hatchback ought to ship 52 miles per gallon metropolis and 48 mpg freeway. Combined, it is rated at a fair 50. On paper no less than, this makes the AWD-e mannequin barely much less economical than different variations of the Prius. For occasion, the extra-miserly L Eco variant stickers at a whopping 56 mpg mixed.
The coronary heart of this automobile’s super-efficient drivetrain is a 1.8-liter I4. In regular use, this engine is okay, but it surely feels like a bit of farm gear when working onerous, sending little tingles into the ground pan because it strains to maneuver the Prius. As in different Toyota hybrids, it is matched to a pair of integral motor-generators, which assist present a complete system output of 121 horsepower and round 105 pound-feet of torque — enough figures, if solely simply. The Prius’ engine might not be probably the most refined or potent powerplant ever constructed, but it surely’s positive in on a regular basis use. Thanks to electrical torque, the automobile has shocking around-town punch, although it turns into fairly winded at freeway speeds, gasping for breath at wide-open throttle as you attempt outrun the tractor-trailer quickly filling the rearview mirror.
All-wheel-drive fashions additionally function a rear-mounted motor that powers the aft tires, bringing 7 hp and 40 lb-ft to the celebration. In regular driving, this association is completely seamless. You’ll by no means discover the all-wheel-drive system working in any respect, although the way in which it truly operates is a bit of unconventional. That rear motor lends a hand when taking off from a cease, powering the aft tires as much as 6 mph. After that, it solely kicks in when further traction is required and solely at speeds as much as 43 mph. It’s there to offer further grip, as dictated by driving situations, with out lowering gasoline effectivity.
Working with the engine and motors, AWD-e variants of the Prius function a 6.5 ampere-hour nickel-metal hydride battery, a less-advanced design than the lithium-ion chemistry utilized in front-drive fashions. This change supposedly offers larger resilience in excessive temperatures, since all-wheel-drive variants are extra doubtless for use in locations that have frigid climate.This automobile’s braking efficiency is sweet, although it is not fairly as seamless as in different hybrids. The pedal is initially mild below regenerative braking, however then it will get a bit firmer as soon as the pads and rotors come into play, the transition between these two modes is a bit more apparent, a contact much less clean than in some competing fashions, although it is not horrible.Like different autos constructed on the automaker’s TNGA platform, which incorporates all the pieces from the Camry and Avalon sedans to Toyota’s Highlander SUV, the Prius carries itself effectively. Yeah, on this utility the journey is a bit floaty, but it surely’s additionally refined, with no vibration or coarseness from the street being telegraphed to the cabin, even when traversing heinous surfaces. Nothing about this construction feels flimsy, crude or low cost.Based on the way it appears to be like, the Prius’ inside was most likely designed by aliens.
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The Prius is not a driver’s automobile, so do not count on Porsche Cayman ranges of steering precision; the wheel is mild in your fingers and vaguer than US obscenity legal guidelines. My take a look at mannequin’s 15-inch wheels are fitted with a set of Bridgestone Ecopia tires. Undoubtedly, they assist ship that spectacular real-world gasoline economic system, although they really feel like they’re manufactured from wooden, fairly stiff and offering little really feel.Lane-departure alert with steering help is normal on all 2020 Prius fashions, a part of the Toyota Safety Sense P suite of driver aids. This function, which requires you to maintain your grubby paws on the tiller always, is sweet to have. It will gently nudge the automobile towards the center of the lane should you occur to kiss one of many strains, however in contrast to correct lane-centering programs, the automobile will ping-pong from one marker to the opposite should you do not make minor course corrections to maintain it within the center. Automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise management and computerized excessive beams are normal gear within the Prius as effectively. Matching the Prius’ alien exterior design is an equally uncommon inside. Its dashboard is straight-up weird, ostensibly bizarre for the sake of being bizarre, with no instrument cluster in entrance of the motive force. Instead, you retain monitor of pace and different very important automobile features on a display screen on the base of the windshield or by way of an out there head-up show, which is evident and simply adjusted to go well with different-sized drivers. This automobile’s gasoline effectivity could also be stellar, however its infotainment system is mediocre at finest.
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Mounted within the heart of my tester’s inside and surrounded by piano-black trim, which attracts an limitless quantity of mud and fingerprints, is a 7-inch touchscreen. It’s residence to one more middling Toyota infotainment system, although Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility are normal throughout the vary. Android Auto is, nonetheless, conspicuously absent.My XLE tester additionally has a Qi wi-fi charging tray, blind-spot monitoring with cross-traffic alert and parking sensors. Handy stuff. Heated exterior mirrors and rain-sensing wipers are additionally included.The Prius’ tulip-shaped digital shifter sprouts from the underside of the middle stack. It’s oddly satisfying and annoying to make use of on the similar time. It has a pleasant tactile really feel, however the separate park button is fiddly and the automobile beeps annoyingly inside while you shift into reverse. Like, yeah, I do know the automobile is in reverse; I actually simply shifted it. I’m undecided why Toyota thought this was vital but it surely’s positively bothersome.This physique was constructed to cheat the wind, which undoubtedly helps the Prius return stellar gasoline economic system.
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If you do not thoughts its uncommon structure, the Prius’ inside is nice sufficient, constructed largely of soppy plastic embossed with a rough texture. The SofTex leatherette-covered seats are snug entrance and rear, plus there’s loads of cargo area, as much as 62.7 cubic toes with the aft backrests folded down, which is about 3 cubes lower than front-drive variations provide due to the extra AWD {hardware}.The Prius AWD-e is available in two trim ranges, LE and XLE. With the $800 Advanced Technology Package, which features a head-up show and adaptive entrance lights amongst different issues, plus a smattering of further minor choices like door edge guards and a rear bumper applique, my Prius evaluate unit checks out for a comparatively modest $31,757, together with $955 in vacation spot charges. That’s not rather more than an optionless LE mannequin, which will be had for proper round $28,000. Of course, should you do not want all-wheel drive, the bargain-basement Prius L Eco mannequin is about 3 grand extra reasonably priced than that.The availability of all-wheel drive within the Prius is a welcome addition. Four-corner traction broadens the automobile’s enchantment to eco-minded motorists residing in Maine, Michigan, Minnesota or anyplace else that receives the wrath of Old Man Winter. If you need a automobile that is stupidly environment friendly and certain as dependable as a blacksmith’s anvil — and should you do not care about issues like pace or type — that is the automobile for you.