Next-gen Toyota Prius details emerge

A more efficient, more advanced and sportier new Toyota Prius will be launched in 2023, underpinned by a new-generation hybrid powertrain.

New intel on the new-look fifth-generation Toyota Prius has emerged in Japan, suggesting the iconic hybrid small car has been working out at the gym to improve not only its cardio fitness but also its driving dynamics, and fuel consumption could potentially dip below the 3.0L/100km mark.

It remains to be seen whether Toyota Australia will reverse its decision to axe the Prius in Australia earlier this year following slow sales, when the new model becomes available.

According to Japanese auto publication Best Car the next-gen Toyota Prius will make its global debut in Spring 2023, or between March and May, bringing a sleeker design that will subtly transform the front-drive petrol-electric stalwart from a dowdy hatchback into a lissom four-door coupe.

This aesthetic shift may reduce cargo capacity and rear seat headroom, but the car’s modus operandi should remain unchanged – to be one of the most efficient plugless (and plug-in) hybrid vehicles on the market.

The media reports from Japan claim the 1.8-litre inline four-cylinder petrol engine (74kW/142Nm) will be a carryover unit, but by adopting an all-new fifth-generation hybrid system that incorporates a new lithium-ion battery it could see fuel economy dip as low as 2.5L/100km.

The electric motor is expected to be a more powerful unit too – up from the current model’s permanent magnet motor’s 53kW/63Nm to 72kW/186Nm. If the battery pack density is greater and these power figures hold water, the next Prius could deliver a much greater driving distance than current model’s, in both plugless and plug-in flavours.

The Prius was the first Toyota to leverage the brand’s now-ubiquitous TNGA platform and the next-generation small car will again use the platform, retaining its 2700mm wheelbase according to Best Car, but growing in length and width to 4600mm (+25mm) and 1780mm (+20mm) respectively.

Reworked suspension is also said to play a big part in the next Prius’ charm offensive, delivering improve driver engagement. Improvements to in-car technology and connectivity will be backed up by improved safety credentials as well.

First launched in Japan in 1997 and arriving in Australia in late 2001, the current fourth-generation Prius has been around since 2015. Just over 35,000 Toyota Prius hybrid cars have been sold in Australia since its inception, and it was last priced at $38,365 for the regular model and $45,825 for the more handsomely-equipped i-Tech version.

Prices for the new-gen Prius in Japan are tipped to range between three and four million yen, or $A31,000 to $A42,000.

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