Toyota Prius (XW50)
The fourth-generation Toyota Prius was first shown during September 2015 in Las Vegas,[5] and was released for retail customers in Japan on 9 December 2015. The launch in North American market occurred in January 2016, and February in Europe. Toyota expected to sell 12,000 fourth generation Prius cars a month in Japan, and to reach annual sales between 300,000 and 350,000 units.
| Toyota Prius (XW50) | |
|---|---|
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Toyota |
| Production | November 2015 – 2022 |
| Model years | 2016–2022 |
| Assembly | Japan: Toyota, Aichi (Tsutsumi plant) |
| Designer | Shunsaku Kodama (2012)[1] |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Compact car (C) |
| Body style | 5-door liftback |
| Layout | |
| Platform | TNGA: GA-C[2] |
| Related | |
| Powertrain | |
| Engine | 1.8 L 2ZR-FXE I4 (gasoline hybrid) |
| Electric motor |
|
| Transmission | eCVT |
| Hybrid drivetrain | Power-split (Hybrid Synergy Drive) |
| Battery |
|
| Dimensions | |
| Wheelbase | 2,700 mm (106.3 in) |
| Length | 4,570 mm (180.0 in) |
| Width | 1,760 mm (69.3 in) |
| Height | 1,470 mm (57.9 in) |
| Curb weight | 1,365–1,397 kg (3,010–3,080 lb) |
| Chronology | |
| Predecessor | Toyota Prius (XW30) |
| Successor |
|
Overview
The fourth-generation Prius was designed to deliver significantly improved fuel economy in a more compact package that is lighter in weight and lower in cost. These objectives were achieved through the development of a new generation of powertrains with significant advances in battery, electric motor and gasoline engine technologies.
In August 2013, Toyota Managing Officer Satoshi Ogiso, who was chief engineer for the Prius line, announced some of the improvements and key features of the next generation Prius.[6][7] The next Prius is the first vehicle to use the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) modular platform, which provides a lower center of gravity and increased structural rigidity. These features, along with other improvements allow for gains in ride-and-handling, agility and aerodynamics. The improved aerodynamics contribute to an all-new exterior design, which includes a roomier interior. Ogiso also explained that the next-generation Prius plug-in hybrid, the Prius Prime, was developed in parallel with the standard Prius model.[8][9]
The fourth-generation Prius is 6.1 centimetres (2.4 in) longer, 1.5 cm (0.6 in) wider and 2.0 cm (0.8 in) lower; at the rear a double wishbone independent suspension replaces its predecessors' torsion beam. The front uses standard LED headlamps. Toyota has claimed that it has a drag coefficient of Cd=0.24, better than the 0.25 claimed for the third-generation model, and the same as the American Tesla Model S.[10] A tow hitch option is available in the UK for up to 725 kilograms (1,600 lb).[11]
The vehicle features smaller electric motors, with higher power density than the previous Prius motors and the gasoline engine features a maximum thermal efficiency greater than 40% (that of the third-generation Prius is 38.5%).
The fourth-generation Prius also uses a 0.75 kWh lithium-ion battery pack[4] that offers higher energy density than the 1.3 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery used in the prior generation.
In late November 2018, for the 2019 model year, the U.S. market Prius lineup introduced an all-wheel drive model (AWD-e) featuring Toyota's E-Four system, that adds a motor to the rear axle. This has been available for the Japanese market Prius since 2015 and the hybrid versions of the RAV4 and Lexus NX.[12] The AWD-e models use a 1.2 kWh nickel–metal hydride battery that performs better in areas with colder temperatures where drivers favor all-wheel drive.[4]
Also in 2019, the trim levels were renamed from One, Two, Three and Four, to L, LE, XLE, and Limited, respectively, which put the structure in line with other Toyota models.[13]
Efficiency
The Prius fuel economy has improved on average by about 10% each generation, and Toyota has set the challenge to continue to improve at this rate.[8][9]
Under the Japanese JC08 cycle test, Toyota expects the fourth generation Prius to achieve a fuel economy rating of 40.8 km/L (115 mpg‑imp; 96 mpg‑US).[citation needed]
The fourth-generation Prius has an official EPA fuel economy rating of 4.4 L/100 km; 65 mpg‑imp (54 mpg‑US) for city, 4.7 L/100 km; 60 mpg‑imp (50 mpg‑US) for highway, and 4.5 L/100 km; 62 mpg‑imp (52 mpg‑US) for combined driving. The new generation offered a 59 L/100 km; 4.8 mpg‑imp (4 mpg‑US), or 8.3%, improvement over the combined driving rating of the third-generation Prius.[14]
Toyota also offers an "Eco" base-model variant of the fourth-generation Prius with improved efficiency, largely due to the reduced weight, achieved by eliminating the spare tire, a rear-window wiper and trunk-lid lining.[15] The Eco variant has an official EPA rating of 4.1 L/100 km; 70 mpg‑imp (58 mpg‑US) city, 4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp (53 mpg‑US) highway, and 4.2 L/100 km; 67 mpg‑imp (56 mpg‑US) combined. The Eco offered a 29 L/100 km; 9.6 mpg‑imp (8 mpg‑US), or 16.7%, improvement over the combined driving rating of the third-generation Prius.[14]
The Eco variant passed the first-generation Honda Insight's 4.4 L/100 km; 64 mpg‑imp (53 mpg‑US) as the most fuel efficient car available in the US without plug-in capability. However the Honda Insight still achieves a higher highway rating of 3.9 L/100 km; 73 mpg‑imp (61 mpg‑US).[14]
Facelift
The Prius received a facelift with redesigned headlights and tail lights, which was released in Japan on 17 December 2018.[16]
In 2020, for the 2021 model year, Toyota USA released the 2020 Edition Prius. Based on the XLE model, differences were mostly black wheels, badges and trim and carpets with a "Prius 2020 Edition" insert.[17][18]
2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e (facelift, Canada)
2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e (facelift, Canada)
Safety
The 2022 Prius was tested by the US IIHS:[19]
| Small overlap front (Driver) | Good |
| Small overlap front (Passenger) | Acceptable |
| Moderate overlap front | Good |
| Side (original test) | Good |
| Roof strength | Good |
| Head restraints and seats | Good |
| Headlights | Acceptable |
| Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle) | Superior |
| Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian, day) | Superior |
| Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of use | Good+ |
Discontinuation
Australia and New Zealand discontinued the Prius as well as the UK in early January 2022 [20]
It was discontinued in New Zealand in August 2021, and at the time was reduced to the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid model, with the regular hybrid discontinued in 2020. It was discontinued due to slow sales as only 38 were sold nationally between January and July 2021.[21]
The Prius was discontinued in Australia in May 2022 after 21 years because other Toyota hybrid models were selling well and its unique selling point had been lost.[22]
References
- ^ Cobb, Jeff. "2016 Prius Designer Owes Inspiration to Lady Gaga". Hybridcars.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
- ^ Dowling, Neil (8 March 2016). "Driven: Reset for Toyota's Prius hybrid king". GoAuto. Australia. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
- ^ Golson, Daniel. "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive".
- ^ a b c Chocco, J. R. (5 February 2021). "2021 Toyota Prius Review: Better than ever but lost in the crossover craze". The Torque Report. Retrieved 23 May 2021.
- ^ "Beyond Possible: The Sky's the Limit for the All-New 2016 Prius at Las Vegas World Premiere Event" (Press release). US: Toyota. 9 September 2015. Retrieved 27 December 2015.
- ^ Muller, Joann (29 August 2013). "Toyota Unveils Plans For 15 New Or Improved Hybrids (It Already Has 23)". Forbes. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Trudell, Craig; Ohnsman, Alan (28 August 2013). "Toyota Refines Battery Chemistry to Boost Next Prius Efficiency". Bloomberg Businessweek. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b Rechtin, Mark (28 August 2013). "Next Prius will cost less, get better fuel economy, Toyota engineer says". Automotive News. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Toyota broadly outlines next-generation Prius; developing wireless inductive charging for the plug-in model; bullish on hydrogen". US: Green Car Congress. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
- ^ Greimel, Hans (13 October 2015). "Toyota, aiming for new showcase, packs Prius with tech". Automotive News. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
- ^ Joseph, Noah (2 May 2016). "2016 Toyota Prius can tow a 1,600-pound trailer, for some reason". Autoblog. US. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
- ^ Golson, Daniel (8 November 2018). "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive". Car and Driver. US. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
- ^ Stafford, Eric (14 May 2019). "2019 Toyota Prius Review, Pricing, and Specs". Car and Driver. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
- ^ a b c "Compare Side-by-Side - 2015 Toyota Prius, 2016 Toyota Prius and 2016 Toyota Prius Eco". US: US Environmental Protection Agency and US Department of Energy. 18 December 2015. Retrieved 18 December 2015.
- ^ Shenhar, Gabe (18 November 2015). "Behind the Wheel of the More-Efficient 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
- ^ "2019 Toyota Prius gets a facelift and all-wheel drive". 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
- ^ Bruce, Chris (11 May 2020). "2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition Celebrates 20 Years Of Hybrid Motoring". Motor1. US. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "The Car That Changed an Industry: Toyota Marks 20th Anniversary of Prius With Special Anniversary Edition" (Press release). US: Toyota. 11 May 2020. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
- ^ "2022 Toyota Prius 4-door hatchback". IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety.
- ^ "Toyota Prius Hybrid | Prius News & Updates | Toyota UK". Toyota GB. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ Sluys, Andrew (17 August 2021). "Toyota's iconic Prius Hybrid quietly disappears from NZ line-up". Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ Mathioudakis, Byron (12 May 2022). "Toyota drops hybrid hero: Pioneering Prius discontinued in Australia as eco icon's legacy lives on in almost every other mainstream Toyota model". Carsguide.com.au. Retrieved 26 May 2022.