Toyota’s Prius line is famed to bring the hybrid car variants into the limelight 15 years ago. For the crowd who values fuel economy, this mid-size wonder comes at the top of the list. In the US, it is dubbed as one of the fuel-efficient cars in the market. The downside, however, Toyota Prius falls at the bottom for fun-loving clients who can afford to blaze off the highways and spend few hundred bucks for fuel.
2015 Toyota Prius runs side by side with the likes of Chevrolet Volt, Audi A3 e-tron and its sibling, the Toyota Prius V under the category of hybrid vehicles.
Appearance and Cabin
Almost nothing has been changed for our Prius. Admittedly it looks handsome in a clean and no-nonsensical way with five doors, high tail and the broad ebony grille at the front bottom fascia adds charm along the wheels, window linings and the tail.
Add-ons are available such as the sunroof with solar array that will cost you at least $1500. It powers the ventilation system to cool the interior most especially when the car is parked under the heat on summer days.
Machinery Underneath
Interestingly, Toyota installed a much huger battery pack, plug and some software to create a mirage of the late 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid. It attains the exceedingly impressive combined fuel economy of 50 MPG and this is a big thanks to the inputted Hybrid Synergy Drive System which is still unchanged for our 2015 model.
Yet, the downside of this great fuel efficiency is the lack of fun component. For one, you get full 10 seconds to gain the 0-60 mph. The train goes on with the non-linear braking, indeterminate steering, sloppy suspension and the 15-inch wheels and tires.
So yeah, for the budget enthusiasts, Prius comes commendable but for the performance-loving peers, the car is a hands-off.
- Engine (with power and torque details)
- 8L DOHC Atkinson cycle, 4-cylinder (98 hp, 105 lb.-ft.)
- Permanent-magnet synchronous AC electric motor (80hp, 153 lb.-ft.)
- 3-kWh nickel & metal hydride battery pack
- Transmission : continuously variable automatic
- Drivetrain : FWD
- Mileage : (city) 51 MPG; (highway) 48 MPG
- Price : starting at $25,025 to $28,315 (as tested)
