Toyota Prius PHEV in real-world testing: Efficient, dynamic, but with limited interior space.

Toyota has fundamentally realigned the Prius in its fifth generation. The passenger car offered in Europe exclusively as a plug-in hybrid combines a system output of 223 hp with a 13.6 kilowatt-hour battery. In the real-world test by press-inform, the Prius achieved electric ranges between 70 and 85 kilometers. At the same time, the low-slung body imposes limitations on interior space and rear visibility.

With a length of 4,599 millimeters, a width of 1,782 millimeters and a height of 1,420 millimeters, the body sits low. The strongly sloping roofline and the rear door handles housed in the C-pillar reinforce the coupé-like character.

Limited rear-seat space

In the front seats, the Prius offers well-contoured seats suitable for longer trips, according to the real-world test. The extended wheelbase provides solid legroom in the rear. When it comes to headroom, however, the flat roofline takes its toll. For people around 1.80 meters tall, overhead space becomes tight.

Rear visibility is also restricted due to the flat rear windows. In the luggage area, the source text contains conflicting information: In the test report, 284 liters of base volume and a maximum of 1,204 liters are cited, while the attached data sheet lists a cargo capacity between 500 and 1,630 liters.

Unusual arrangement of the instruments

In the cockpit, Toyota follows the concept of the electric bZ4X. The relatively small steering wheel sits low, while the digital driver display is positioned high toward the windshield. Depending on body size and seating position, the upper steering wheel rim may obscure parts of the instrument display according to the practical test.

In the center console, there is a 12.3-inch touchscreen. For volume and climate control, Toyota retains physical controls. The materials alternate between softer surfaces in the visible area and hard plastic in deeper areas of the cabin.

223 hp System Output

The plug-in hybrid combines a two-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a 163 hp electric motor on the front axle. Regarding the performance of the internal combustion engine, the figures in the source text are inconsistent. While the road test cites 151 hp, the datasheet lists 154 hp or 113 kilowatts. The system output is consistently listed as 223 hp or 164 kilowatts.

From a standstill, the Prius accelerates to 100 km/h in 6.8 seconds according to the available data. The top speed is 177 km/h. Purely electric speeds of up to 130 km/h are possible.

The continuously variable automatic transmission is acoustically less noticeable during acceleration than in previous generations. Based on the practical test, the electric motor takes a larger share of the drive workload during mid-boosts. Under high load, the four-cylinder remains noticeably audible.

Tight suspension and low center of gravity

The platform and the low-mounted battery enable a low center of gravity. In the test, the Prius proved to be nimble and agile, with the suspension rather tightly tuned. Longer road imperfections are nevertheless largely filtered out.

The practical test criticizes the steering for a synthetic feel. With the brake pedal, a more pronounced pressure point is missing during stronger decelerations.

Up to 85 kilometers of real-world electric range

The drive battery has a capacity of 13.6 kilowatt-hours. In practical use, according to press-inform, electric ranges between 70 and 85 kilometers were possible. In pure city traffic, under favorable conditions, more than 100 kilometers are also achievable.

With a discharged drive battery, the Prius continued to operate as a full hybrid in the test. A gasoline consumption of 4.5 liters per 100 kilometers was recorded. The datasheet lists, for the European third-mix, a consumption of 1.6 liters of gasoline and 9.5 kilowatt-hours of electricity per 100 kilometers.