Toyota Prius (XW50)

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Toyota Prius (XW50)
2018 Toyota Prius Excel VVT-i CVT 1.8.jpg
Overview
Manufacturer Toyota
ProductionNovember 2015 – 2022
Model years 2016–2022
AssemblyJapan: 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 [3]
Related
Powertrain
Engine 1.8 L 2ZR-FXE I4 (gasoline hybrid)
Electric motor
  • Dual motor–generator (MG) system:
  • 0MG1 (model 1SM): 23 kW (31 hp)
  • 0MG2 (model 1NM): 53 kW (71 hp)
  • Rear: 5 kW (6.7 hp) (AWD-e)
Transmission eCVT
Hybrid drivetrain Power-split (Hybrid Synergy Drive)
Battery
Dimensions
Wheelbase 2,700 mm (106.3 in)
Length4,570 mm (180.0 in)
Width1,760 mm (69.3 in)
Height1,470 mm (57.9 in)
Curb weight 1,365–1,397 kg (3,010–3,080 lb)
Chronology
Predecessor Toyota Prius (XW30)
Successor

The fourth-generation Toyota Prius is a compact car that was manufactured by Japanese automaker Toyota from 2015 to 2022. It 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 and the Middle East. [6] [7] 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.

Contents

Overview

2017 Toyota Prius (ZVW50R) 1.8S sedan (2017-11-29) 02.jpg
2017 Toyota Prius Hybrid (Singapore; pre-facelift)
Prius4 Dashboard IMG 6871.JPG
Interior

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. [8] [9] 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. [10] [11]

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. [12] A tow hitch option is available in the UK for up to 725 kilograms (1,600 lb). [13]

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. [14] 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. [15]

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. [10] [11]

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. [16]

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. [17] 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. [16]

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). [16]

Facelift

The Prius received a facelift with redesigned headlights and tail lights, which was released in Japan on 17 December 2018. [18]

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. [19] [20]

Safety

The 2022 Prius was tested by the US IIHS: [21]

IIHS scores
Small overlap front (Driver)Good
Small overlap front (Passenger)Acceptable
Moderate overlap frontGood
Side (original test)Good
Roof strengthGood
Head restraints and seatsGood
HeadlightsAcceptable
Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Vehicle)Superior
Front crash prevention (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian, day)Superior
Child seat anchors (LATCH) ease of useGood+

Discontinuation

Australia and New Zealand, as well as the UK, discontinued the Prius in early January 2022. [22]

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. [23]

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. [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius</span> Hybrid electric automobile

The Toyota Prius is a compact/small family liftback produced by Toyota. The Prius has a hybrid drivetrain, combined with an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Initially offered as a four-door sedan, it has been produced only as a five-door liftback since 2003.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Insight</span> Motor vehicle

The Honda Insight is a hybrid electric vehicle that is manufactured and marketed by Honda. Its first generation was a two-door, two passenger liftback (1999–2006) and in its second generation was a four-door, five passenger liftback (2009–2014). In its third generation, it became a four-door sedan (2018–2022). It was Honda's first model with Integrated Motor Assist system and the most fuel efficient gasoline-powered car available in the U.S. without plug-in capability — for the length of its production run.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Avalon</span> Full-size car produced by Toyota

The Toyota Avalon is a full-size sedan produced by Toyota. It is Toyota's largest front-wheel drive sedan and serves as its flagship sedan in the United States, Canada, China and the Middle East. It was also produced in Australia from April 2000 until June 2005, when it was replaced in November 2006 by the Aurion. The first production Avalon rolled off the TMMK assembly line in Georgetown, Kentucky, in September 1994, and subsequent generations have all been manufactured at the Kentucky location to date.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ford Fusion Hybrid</span> Motor vehicle

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid powered version of the mid-sized Ford Fusion sedan manufactured and marketed by Ford, now in its second generation. A plug-in hybrid version, the Ford Fusion Energi, was released in the U.S. in February 2013.

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The Ford C-Max is a car produced by the Ford Motor Company from 2003 to 2019. It has a five-door compact multi-purpose vehicle (MPV) design. The Ford Grand C-Max has a longer wheelbase.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Sienna</span> Minivan model by Toyota

The Toyota Sienna is a minivan manufactured and marketed by Toyota primarily for the North American market. It is named for the Italian city of Siena, in the region of Tuscany. It replaced the first generation Previa van in 1997 with a more conventional front-wheel drive layout and shares a heavily revised platform with the Camry. Both the Previa and original Sienna were smaller than the other minivans they competed against, but a redesign in 2003 increased the dimensions to match those of its competitors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Highlander</span> Mid-size crossover SUV

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent</span> Measurement of fuel economy

Miles per gallon gasoline equivalent is a measure of the average distance traveled per unit of energy consumed. MPGe is used by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to compare energy consumption of alternative fuel vehicles, plug-in electric vehicles and other advanced technology vehicles with the energy consumption of conventional internal combustion vehicles rated in miles per U.S. gallon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lexus HS</span> Hybrid luxury sedan

The Lexus HS is a dedicated hybrid vehicle introduced by Lexus as a new compact executive car sedan in 2009. Built on the Toyota New MC platform, it is classified as a compact under Japanese regulations concerning vehicle exterior dimensions and engine displacement. Unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in January 2009, the HS 250h went on sale in July 2009 in Japan, followed by the United States in August 2009 as a 2010 model. The HS 250h represented the first dedicated hybrid vehicle in the Lexus lineup, as well as the first offered with an inline-four gasoline engine. Bioplastic materials are used for the vehicle interior. With a total length of 4,700 mm (190 in), the Lexus HS is slightly larger than the Lexus IS, but still smaller than the mid-size Lexus ES.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid</span> Motor vehicle

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 to 2016. The second-generation model has been produced since 2016. Production of the third-generation model began in 2023.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius (XW30)</span> Motor vehicle

The third generation Toyota Prius debuted as a compact liftback manufactured and marketed by Toyota, having launched in 2009 for model year 2010 at the January 2009 North American International Auto Show. Internally designated as model XW30 and replacing the XW20 series, sales began in Japan on May 18, 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius (XW20)</span> Motor vehicle

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius (XW10)</span> Automobile

The Toyota Prius (XW10) is a subcompact hybrid car that was produced by Toyota between 1997 and 2003 in Japan. The XW10 is divided into the NHW10 and its NHW11 counterpart, both of which represent the first generation of Prius series. The Toyota Prius is the first mass-produced hybrid car, and was released 2 years ahead of other manufacturers. While the NHW10 was available exclusively to Japan, it was subsequently introduced to worldwide markets in September 2000 with the NHW11. Toyota sold about 123,000 first generation Prius. Toyota's XW10 series Prius is notable as the first vehicle based on the Toyota MC platform.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius V</span> Full hybrid gasoline-electric compact MPV

The Toyota Priusv, also named Prius α in Japan, and Prius+ in Europe and Singapore, is a hybrid gasoline-electric automobile produced by Toyota introduced in Japan in May 2011, in the U.S. in October 2011, and released in Europe in June 2012. The Prius v was unveiled at the January 2011 North American International Auto Show alongside the Prius c Concept, and it is the first Prius variant to be spun off from the Prius platform. According to Toyota the "v" stands for "versatility". It is a compact MPV with a standard full hybrid drivetrain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Prius C</span> Motor vehicle

The Toyota Prius c (c stands for "city"), named the Toyota Aqua (Japanese: トヨタ・アクア, Hepburn: Toyota Akua) ("aqua" is Latin for water) in Japan, is a full hybrid gasoline-electric subcompact/supermini hatchback manufactured and marketed by Toyota. The Prius c is the third member of the Prius family, and combines the features of a Yaris-sized car with a hybrid powertrain. The Prius c is priced lower than the conventional Prius and has a higher fuel economy in city driving under United States Environmental Protection Agency test cycles. The Prius c was ranked by the EPA as the 2012 most fuel efficient compact car when plug-in electric vehicles are excluded.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toyota Camry (XV50)</span> Motor vehicle

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The following table compares official EPA ratings for fuel economy for series production all-electric passenger vehicles rated by the EPA for model years 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2023 versus the model year 2016 vehicles that were rated the most efficient by the EPA with plug-in hybrid drivetrains, gasoline-electric hybrid drivetrains, and the average new vehicle for that model year, which has a fuel economy of 25 mpg‑US.

The following table compares EPA's estimated out-of-pocket fuel costs and fuel economy ratings of serial production plug-in hybrid electric vehicles rated by EPA as of January 2017 expressed in miles per gallon gasoline equivalent (mpg-e), versus the most fuel efficient gasoline-electric hybrid car, the 2016 Toyota Prius Eco, rated 56 mpg‑US, and EPA's average new 2016 vehicle, which has a fuel economy of 25 mpg‑US. The table also shows the fuel efficiency for plug-in hybrids in all-electric mode expressed as KWh/100 mile, the metric used by EPA to rate electric cars before November 2010.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hyundai Ioniq</span> Compact car

The Hyundai Ioniq is a compact five-door liftback manufactured and marketed by Hyundai. The nameplate Ioniq is a portmanteau of ion and unique. It is marketed as the first automobile to be offered without a standard internal combustion engine, but rather sold in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and all-electric variants.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honda Accord (ninth generation)</span> Motor vehicle

The ninth generation Accord is a mid-size car introduced by Honda in 2012 which received a refreshed front fascia, grille, headlights, tail lights and alloy wheel designs for the 2016 model year. With the discontinuation of the smaller European and Japanese market Accord in 2015, the larger North American Accord became the only version in production, with the Hybrid version taking over as the flagship of Honda's automotive product in many markets that once received the smaller Accord.

References

  1. ↑ Cobb, Jeff. "2016 Prius Designer Owes Inspiration to Lady Gaga". Hybridcars.com. Retrieved 31 January 2020.
  2. ↑ Golson, Daniel. "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive".
  3. ↑ Dowling, Neil (8 March 2016). "Driven: Reset for Toyota's Prius hybrid king". GoAuto. Australia. Archived from the original on 14 March 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
  4. 1 2 3 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.
  5. ↑ "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.
  6. ↑ "Al-Futtaim Motors Leaps Into The Future With The Launch Of Toyota Prius In The UAE" (Press release). UAE: Al-Futtaim. 17 February 2016. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  7. ↑ "Motoring: All-new Toyota Prius unveiled". www.gdnonline.com. 5 December 2017. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
  8. ↑ Muller, Joann (29 August 2013). "Toyota Unveils Plans For 15 New Or Improved Hybrids (It Already Has 23)". Forbes . Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  9. ↑ Trudell, Craig; Ohnsman, Alan (28 August 2013). "Toyota Refines Battery Chemistry to Boost Next Prius Efficiency". Bloomberg Businessweek . Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  10. 1 2 Rechtin, Mark (28 August 2013). "Next Prius will cost less, get better fuel economy, Toyota engineer says". Automotive News . Retrieved 31 August 2013.
  11. 1 2 "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.
  12. ↑ Greimel, Hans (13 October 2015). "Toyota, aiming for new showcase, packs Prius with tech". Automotive News. Retrieved 6 November 2015.
  13. ↑ Joseph, Noah (2 May 2016). "2016 Toyota Prius can tow a 1,600-pound trailer, for some reason". Autoblog. US. Retrieved 7 October 2016.
  14. ↑ Golson, Daniel (8 November 2018). "The 2019 Toyota Prius Is Likely Getting All-Wheel Drive". Car and Driver. US. Retrieved 9 November 2018.
  15. ↑ Stafford, Eric (14 May 2019). "2019 Toyota Prius Review, Pricing, and Specs". Car and Driver. Retrieved 11 June 2022.
  16. 1 2 3 "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.
  17. ↑ Shenhar, Gabe (18 November 2015). "Behind the Wheel of the More-Efficient 2016 Toyota Prius Hybrid". Consumer Reports. Retrieved 18 November 2015.
  18. ↑ "2019 Toyota Prius gets a facelift and all-wheel drive". 27 November 2018. Retrieved 27 November 2018.
  19. ↑ Bruce, Chris (11 May 2020). "2021 Toyota Prius 2020 Edition Celebrates 20 Years Of Hybrid Motoring". Motor1. US. Retrieved 7 June 2020.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "2022 Toyota Prius 4-door hatchback". IIHS-HLDI crash testing and highway safety.
  22. ↑ "Toyota Prius Hybrid | Prius News & Updates". Toyota UK. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
  23. ↑ Sluys, Andrew (17 August 2021). "Toyota's iconic Prius Hybrid quietly disappears from NZ line-up" . Retrieved 26 May 2022.
  24. ↑ 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.
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