2020 Toyota Prius hybrid

Come 2020, the Prius hybrid still remains to be the most talked-about hybrid ever and some people also refer to it as the "Father of hybrids". That said, the Prius hybrid hatchback is stylish, efficient and of course, reliable too. However, the segment is getting crowded gradually and the Prius needs to remind them of its stature.

Toyota has shuffled the trims of the Prius for 2020 with the new trim names being L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited. While the Engine remains the same as last year, Toyota has updated the NVH levels and refined the motor furthermore. For the tech-hungry guys, Toyota has updated it’s Entune Infotainment Unit that gives smartphone connectivity, Live traffic updates and a whole host of other useful data.

Speaking of prices, the 2020 Toyota Prius’ prices range from $23,770 to over $32,000. While all the trims come with the FWD setup as standard, the AWD-e version is being offered in the LE and XLE trims only. The primary rivals to the Prius now include Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid and the Honda Insight.

The 2020 Toyota Prius gets a shuffle in terms of the trims. Available with FWD as standard in the L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited trims, the AWD-e system can be had in just the LE and XLE trims for now. All trims have decent equipment on board and the higher trims come with features like a premium JBL Audio System, Softex upholstery and more.

*only on the AWD-e version

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While it's easy for us to recommend the top trim for the kind of features it offers, we would still suggest the base trim as it comes loaded with a decent set of features that most owners would be happy to live with.

Fuel efficiency is the name of the game with the Prius, and the raw performance numbers reflect this- Edmunds.com

Engine and transmission

The motor is a 1.8L Inline-4 unit combined with two electric motors driving each of the front wheels. The joined yield of both the gas and electric plants rises to a sum of 121 HP and 120 lb-ft, which are good figures, however not especially noteworthy. The motor is a mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is exceptionally effective yet in addition strips the vehicle of any excitement. The Motor is best left at city speeds and feels strained on the highways.

In terms of rivals, the Insight leads the packs in terms of numbers, with the Ioniq following behind closely. The Prius has the lowest numbers in this department and it shows in the performance runs as well.

Acceleration

The Prius was built with efficiency on the mind and the performance figures are a stark reflection of the same. The Prius fares poorly in the 0-60 runs as compared to its other rivals and reflect a similar story in the quarter mile runs as well. In terms of emission though, the Prius does better as the Prius emits just 3.8 units of CO2 in ton/year.

The Insight impresses with its performance as its the fastest of all the 3 cars here. The Ioniq misses out on the top spot by a small whisker and impresses otherwise.

Ride and Handling

The Toyota Prius has a very good ride, plush and comfortable. That is due to its soft suspension setup, which absorbs all the bumps on the road. As a consequence of the great ride quality, the handling leaves a bit to be desired. The car wallows under hard cornering and at high speeds, giving the driver an impression of being unstable. The wheels are extremely thin and offer minimal grip, as they were built to provide low rolling resistance and increase fuel efficiency.

Braking

While the Prius may be a slow performer on the roads in terms of performance, it fares better in the braking department. The 121ft stopping distance from 60MPH to a standstill is a segment standard distance. In terms of tech, the Prius does come with regenerative braking that not only aids in the braking of the prius but makes it more efficient by reducing the wastage of energy lost while braking on a conventional setup.

One of the main areas of focus for manufacturers while building a Hybrid Car is to make it deliver high MPG figures. The Prius manages to achieve this feat well as it manages to deliver a combined MPG figure of 52. On the highway, the Prius can do 54MPG and ensure that there are fewer fuel stops on the road to your destination.

Compared to its rivals, the Prius falls slightly behind it's adversaries. The Ioniq leads the pack as far as mileage figures go. The Insight falls marginally short of the Ioniq's figures but manages to deliver more than the Prius.

Consider that a larger-than-average chunk of the Prius's cost is directed to make possible its advanced powertrain, and the amount of plastic in the interior starts to make sense even as it left us wanting for better trimmings- Caranddriver.com

Styling and comfort

The Prius seats 4 passengers in comfort, and squeezing in 5 wouldn't be too far of a stretch. There is ample headroom, shoulder room and legroom at both the front and rear seats. The competition is just a few inches ahead though, with the Prius losing out on shoulder room to every contender in the segment. The legroom for the rear passengers is also disappointing.

Stepping into the car will reveal where most of the money went. Hint: It's not the interiors. One of the drawbacks of being a hybrid is the cost of its advanced drivetrain. Thus, the manufacturer has to compromise in other areas to bring the costs down, and it shows. The dash is plastic-y and a little cheap, though the seats are sturdy and comfy. The car does not offer a few essentials, such as lumbar and thigh support and rear AC vents.

Infotainment System

• 4.2" MID with customizable screens
• 2 Rear USB 2.1 ports
• JBL Premium Audio System
• 12.1" Touchscreen Infotainment System
• AM/FM/HD Radio with Bluetooth
• Advanced Voice Recognition
• Siri Eyes Free, SiriusXM Radio with 3 Months subscription
• Traffic and Doppler Weather overlay

Interior features

• Auto-Dimming RVM with Homelink
• 1 12V front outlet and Qi compatible wireless charging pad
• Rear Dome and Cargo light
• Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
• Multi-Function Steering with Tilt/Telescopic adjust
• 6-way adjustable driver's seat, 4-way adjustable front passenger seat
• 60/40 Split Folding Rear Seats with Armrests
• Smart Key System with Push Button Start

Cargo Capacity

All Toyota's in the world have been famed for their durability, reliability and practicality and the 2020 Prius is no different either. The Prius offers a massive 24.6 cu.ft. Of cargo space and can accommodate even more with its split folding 60/40 rear seats.

Not much on the road looks like a 2020 Toyota Prius. Whether that's a good thing is debatable, but we're still not sold on the hybrid's snout"one too many lines, perhaps- Thecarconnection.com

Dimension and Design

Looking at the way the 2020 Prius looks, it's clearly evident styling wasn't the 1^st priority of the designers at Toyota. The Prius' strong point doesn't lie in its styling and it's sure not going to win any beauty contests. In terms of the dimensions, the Prius is at par with its nearest rival, the Ioniq. We do like the overall design of the prius and appreciate the 5.1" of ground clearance as standard.

Exterior features

• Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with auto on/off feature
• LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature
• Adaptive Front-Lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling headlights
• LED Taillights and Stop lights
• Heated power outside mirrors with folding feature
• 17" 5 Spoke Alloys
• Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers
• Intermittent rear window wiper

Safety feature should be one of the biggest buying factors while considering a car, and Toyota Prius impresses with good ratings all around. There isn't a Euro NCAP rating for the car yet, but the ratings by NHTSA and IIHS offer plenty of information regarding this particular field.

Safety features

• Toyota offers a plethora of safety features on the Prius as standards, such
• Star Safety System"includes Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control (TRAC)
• Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)
• Brake Assist
• Driver and front passenger Advanced Airbag System
• LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) includes lower anchors on outboard rear seats and tether anchors on all rear seats
• Vehicle Proximity Notification System (VPNS)
• Intelligent Clearance Sonar (ICS) with Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)
• Color Head-Up Display (HUD) with speedometer, navigation and Hybrid System Indicator
• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA)
• Hill Start Assist Control (HAC)
• Engine immobilizer
  
  
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Toyota Prius vs. Hyundai Ioniq

The Hyundai Ioniq is the newest entrant in the hybrid hatchback space and does come with it's unique set of advantages. The Ioniq beats the Prius hands down when it comes to the tech on offer and in the looks department as well. The Hyundai is the sportier of the 2 to drive on the roads as well and the more composed of the duo on the highways as well. The Toyota takes the lead in terms of the build quality, MPG figures and the resale value.

Toyota Prius vs. Honda Insight

The Honda Insight was Honda's answer to the Popular Prius and boy has it been close since then. The Insight feels a tad premium than the Prius and is packed with a higher set of features on the inside as well. The Insight has the better motor of the 2 as well as it it's more efficient and a better performer than the Toyota's unit. In terms of the looks, there isn't much differentiating the duo much but in terms of pricing, the Honda takes the lead and hence is the clear winner of the two.

The 2020 Toyota Prius remains an amazing little vehicle that takes care of business without much whine and dramatization. While we would have wanted more oomph from the Prius, prospective buyers won't necessarily look for the same in a vehicle of this kind. The Prius does well in ferrying people from Point A to Point or daily errands, without burning a hole in your pocket in terms of the Gas mileage and comparatively lower emissions. With the addition of the AWD system, the Prius now presents itself as a more confident handling package and a more practical one as well. So, if you are planning on buying a tried and trusted Hybrid that gives complete peace of mind and reliability, look no further than the 2020 Prius.