2016 Toyota Prius Four Touring
The greatest significance of the new Prius isn’t in its 50mpg-plus fuel economy nor even its radical styling. It is that its knickers will form the basis for a huge number of forthcoming Toyota models—and that is a Very. Good. Thing.
Called Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), this modular set of components and its highly flexible floorplan mean the company can save substantial sums on each vehicle made, allowing them to not only make more profit but to do many other things, like spin off radical looking, riskier models like the forthcoming C-HR subcompact crossover.
Photos of the Prius C-HR crossover
For the Prius, it means better handling and steering, a more refined ride and less noise intrusion. While not the getaway vehicle portrayed in early ads, this hybrid is substantially more rewarding for the driver; it turns with alacrity, absorbs most scabby city streets with aplomb and goes round corners with verve. Even the vileness usually inherent in its continuously variable transmission design has been tamed to a large extent. In normal urban driving the Prius scoots forward on a surge of electric motor torque, and it’s only when you push it up to freeway speeds that the powertrain becomes at all raucous, no surprise in that total system power is only 120 horses.
TNGA savings also allow the Prius to offer the highest quality Toyota interior in decades. Almost all materials are first rate; gone are most of the brittle, scratch-prone plastics of prior models, and the wonderfully outré sweeps of form for the center console—highlighted in a shiny, bright white finish—remind that you are piloting a rather radical machine, something otherwise easy to forget with over a million Prii already on the road. The 6.1in interface is high resolution, fast reacting and intuitive, and the display for speed, consumption and other vehicle functions, mounted just below window line, reinforces the futuristic vibe. It would be nice if a high-grade textile was offered for the seats instead of faux-leather, and some controls, like the buttons for the heated seats, are buried in hard to reach places, but by and large the Toyota’s cabin is a spacious and pleasing place to spend time. The Prius’ radical styling, while certainly not to everyone’s taste, at least marks it out as unique.
If this Toyota architectural suite means that future Camrys, Corollas, RAV4s and the like can regain leadership not just in sales but also in desirability that will be a bonus. In the here and now, and to mangle a classic phrase from the Space Age, the new Prius is an incredibly accomplished way to average interstellar-range fuel economy without feeling like you’re spam in a can.
More Photos of the 2016 Prius Four Touring
EPA ratings: 54/50mpg; 52mpg combined
0-60mph: 10.5sec
Price as tested: $32,935
Here is what Toyota has to say.
4.5 stars
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Isaac Bouchard is owner of Bespoke Autos, an auto brokerage that helps people save time, money and hassle when buying or leasing vehicles. Since 1991 he has helped his clients save over $1 million dollars. He has written extensively about getting the best deal possible when buying or leasing a vehicle, arranging financing or trading in a car. Isaac has been a professional automotive journalist as well for over 12 years, having reviewed most all types of car, truck and SUV.
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