When we last saw the 2023 Toyota Prius, the newly revamped Prius was making its global debut. The 2023 version swung for the fences when it came to embracing its fun side and has exterior styling that makes the Prius (dare we say it) look sporty. However, the lone fly in this initial bowl of oatmeal was that we were left in the dark about how well the Prius does when measured according to U.S. standards for range and performance (Toyota used European WTLP figures for the international unveiling) as well as overall mileage. The Japanese auto giant thankfully didn’t make us wait for long, and has revealed the full trim ladder and other details at a pre-L.A. unveiling for selected media.
Prius Exterior Styling Plays Role In Reducing Drag
While we covered the bulk of the changes that the Prius received in our first article here, it’s worth repeating that the exterior styling for the 2023 Prius goes off in a bolder direction. While the Prius is far from matching Lamborghini in aesthetic appeal, the front fascia and headlights do give a sportier vibe to the Prius, and from some angles, the Prius appears to resemble recent Hyundai and Kia products, with those two brands also embracing a more dynamic design language for their products.
The design also plays a role in reducing drag, but we get to wait to see just how much of an improvement that represents when compared to the old model. That said, buyers will be in for a treat, especially loyalists that remember the days when the Prius preferred to focus more on functionality versus looking good. This version flips the script and it appears to have found a perfect balance between the two.
Full Trim Level Lineup Revealed
A major update from before is that we finally have the full trim lineup for the U.S. Prius lineup. The Prius itself retains its hybrid and PHEV configurations, but the trim levels are split into a set of three, each with the Hybrid being available in LE, XLE, and Limited guises. The Hybrid is slated to be the value-focused member of the family, and the LE will be the gateway trim for the broader family. Meanwhile, the PHEV comes in SE, XSE, and XSE Limited trims, and the bulk of the features on hand are similar between the two.
However, the Prime comes with some extra features, including a solar panel roof that Toyota says can top off the battery, as well as extra sensors that are necessary for safety features like front-cross-traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and hand’s free traffic jam assist for rush hour commutes under 25 mph. The Prime will also come with a special outlet that can provide up to 1500 watts of auxiliary power Toyota still chose to keep the bulk of mileage information to itself, but reps did confirm that the most efficient version of the Prius hybrid can get 57 mpg in combined driving which is one mpg more than last year’s model.
When Can I Buy One?
Like before, Toyota didn’t reveal exactly when the 2023 Prius will make its way to U.S. showrooms, but we do know that the model will make its way to dealerships next year, with pricing and other details being released closer to the Prius’s official launch date. That said, we look forward to checking out the 2023 Prius ourselves soon; the exterior styling looks fresher than ever, and when you combine that with the newfound levels of technology and EV usability on hand, it makes this iteration of the Prius the most desirable one yet.
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.