Though few people would look at a Prius and see it as a high-performance vehicle, the truth is that they are every bit as rigorously engineered as a Porsche or BMW. Toyota's designers maintain a ruthless pursuit of fuel economy, improving whenever and wherever they can.
For 2022, several variations of the Prius are available, intended to appeal to the variety of hybrid car buyers who have different requirements. The Prius, the standard on which all the others are based, is a 4-door compact hatch that comes in L, LE, XLE, Limited and Nightshade trims. Prius LE, XLE and Nightshade trims can be optioned with AWD-e, an automatic, on-demand all-wheel-drive system that utilizes a rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels as necessary.
All three standard Prius models are powered by a 1.8L 4-cylinder engine connected to Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive electric motor. The only transmission choice remains a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
The interior of the Prius is big and airy, offering an open feel and a good view of the road ahead, with improved headroom over previous generations. Two 4.2-inch multi-information displays are housed within the instrument panel. Basic information such as speed and fuel level are displayed on the right. The left display, on the other hand, is programmable, allowing the driver to choose what information he or she wants to see at any time.
Basic features on the Prius include 15-inch alloy wheels, low rolling resistance tires and four-wheel disc brakes. Standard features include automatic climate control, a six-speaker sound system, a 7-inch touchscreen display, wireless device connectivity and 3 USB ports.
A suite of safety features as standard including a pedestrian detection system, a pre-collision warning system, as well as a radar-controlled dynamic cruise control system, an active lane departure system, blind spot warning, rear collision warning and a driver attention alert system.
Fuel Economy
Excellent Interior Room
Sharp Styling
Quiet Interior
Reasonable Price
Plug-in Option
Available Electric All-wheel Drive
The Prius enters 2022 with relatively minor changes although a new Nightshade trim has been added.
One of the most remarkable things about the Prius is how little it asks from the owner in exchange for its legendary fuel efficiency. Special fuel isn't needed, and there's no need to plug the standard Prius into the wall at night. Further, drivers are not consigned to a tiny interior and miniature storage space, and finally, premium mileage numbers don't have to cost an arm and a leg.
The Prius drives, handles and behaves just like any other mid-sized car. It just happens to get the kind of fuel economy that can impress almost anyone. The Prius is competitive with other cars in its price bracket, offering ample interior space, a quiet comfortable ride, plenty of interior gadgets and world-famous mileage figures.
