PRIUS BUILT TO IMPRESS
Hybrid delivers good, clean fun
To say the Toyota Prius ticks all the boxes of what a 21st century automobile should be is a bit of an understatement.
It’s extremely fuel efficient. Emission-wise, it’s one of the cleanest vehicles sold in Canada. It’s loaded with the whiz-bang technology the motoring public demands these days. And, it’s priced within range of middleclass aspirations. Throw in the fact that it’s a spacious vehicle and fun-to-drive, and you’ve got a winner.
Not surprisingly, that’s really been the formula that’s made the Prius family the dominant hybrid clan. It represents three-fifths of the 10 million or so hybrids Toyota has sold worldwide since 1997. That would be the year the Prius — fittingly ‘first’ in Latin — debuted in Japan, heralding us into the hybrid era. That first version was a four-door sedan, followed by a five-door hatchback, eight years late, and a five-door fastback in 2016, which marked the fourth generation of the Prius.
In addition to the Prius, other family members include the compact ‘c’, the extended hatchback ‘v’, and the plug-in hybrid Prime. Each targets a different segment, but at the core, they all share those strong attributes noted above.
That’s especially true of the 2018 Prius Technology. With a sub-5.0L/100km fuel rating, space for five adults, a price point just over $30,000, and on-board
tech to keep occupants connected and safe, this is a vehicle that appeals to many. Auto journalists like it; the Prius is the reigning AJAC Green Car of the Year.
That said, it’s far from perfect. Its exterior design can be described as polarizing, particularly that angular front-end and sculpted hood. When it debuted in 2016, Prius traditionalists decried the look, but with the subsequent rollout of new generation Toyota models, it became clear that the fourth-gen Prius simply fell in line with the automaker’s new and contemporary design language. Toyota also claims the aggressive front-end design reduces drag, thus adding to fuel efficiency.
Meanwhile, I thought Toyota’s experiment of arranging the gauges in the centre of the dash was seen as a failure. Guess the Prius designers work in a different building, as this fourth-gen model has loaded up all the gauges, controls etc. in the centre, leaving a yawning space of black dash board in the driver’s front-looking sightline.
But it’s never really been about looks when it comes to the Prius. That first gen model has been described as a ‘loaf-of-bread-onwheels,’ yet it set sales records, and in the process set the standard for what a hybrid vehicle represents.
For 2018, there are three Prius models available in Canada: the Base (starting at $27,480); the Technology ($30,120); and, the Touring ($30,720).
There’s a long list of standard features on the Technology trim, chief among them a 7-inch touchscreen, fabric heated sports seats, a power moonroof, a wireless charging tray for smartphones, and a smart key system with push button start. Our tester came equipped with the optional Advance Package, featuring such tech goodies as a blind spot monitor and rear cross traffic alert, parking assist, a head-up display, rain-sensing wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror, and an eight-way power driver’s seat. For less than $3,000, I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t want this package.
There are some things about the 2018 Prius I don’t like.
First, that aforementioned centre gauge cluster. As a seasoned driver, my habit is to look for things like road speed and fuel level directly in front of me, not off to the right.
Second, the transmission shifter. Protruding from the lower centre dash, it just feels unsubstantial for a gear selector. Likewise, the enhanced regenerative braking selection on it would be much better suited as a button on the steering wheel or a paddle shifter, locations used by other makers of electrified vehicles.
And why on earth is the Prius still using an old-school, footoperated parking brake, located on the left-hand side of the driver footwell? Surely a vehicle that triumphs its technology should have a console-mounted button to engage and disengage the parking brake.
No doubt that ‘fun to drive’ mention earlier in this review had a few people chuckling, those of the ‘if-it’s-a-hybrid-it’s-boring ’ mentality, but I found the handling and performance of the Prius Technology to be nothing short of impressive. The 1.8-litre, four-cylinder engine spirits the five-door around nicely, impressive considering its power output rating is just 121 ponies. The electric steering is fairly precise, and the brakes firm and solid.
The continuously variable transmission provides super smooth acceleration, and the regenerative braking selector on the shifter provides those who like some control in terms of downshifting.
There’s an EV mode button for pure electric operation, but this is fairly limited to low-speed driving and doesn’t last very long. A more useful button is the Drive Mode selector, which allows you to scroll through three distinct settings: Normal, Eco and Power. While there’s not a significant difference in performance between the three, fuel savings can be improved in Eco mode, as is brake regeneration of the battery pack.
Finally, Toyota announced late last week that Prius models from model years 2016-18 are part of a global recall due to the risk of fire. The company said some 7,200 Prius vehicles in Canada are affected by the recall notice.
An engine wire harness connected to the power control unit is at risk of wear over time, potentially leading to a short circuit or even a fire, the company said in a statement. The recall affects every current-generation Prius, including a plug-in variant, and the hybrid version of the C-HR made until May of this year.