When this car’s predecessor arrived in 2015, it introduced the much-heralded TNGA platform, which has since been slid under all manner of Toyota models and has in general impressed us with its versatility and the inherently good handling balance it generates.
The new Prius – codename XW60 – uses an evolution of the TNGA GA-C, touting plenty of new advanced safety technology as well as a larger NMC drive battery (its 13.6kWh usable capacity rises from 8.8kWh) and a bigger, 2.0-litre petrol engine, though the fundamental drivetrain layout remains the same as before.
The engine works through Toyota’s electronic continuously variable transaxle. Called an e-CVT, it doesn’t act like a traditional CVT with pulleys and cones. It uses a planetary gearset that allows the 161bhp drive motor and the 150bhp Atkinson-cycle petrol engine to operate at whichever speed suits them best, independently of one another.
The set-up is a light evolution of that found in the Mk4 Prius (which used the ‘P610’ transaxle), with slightly longer gear ratios, perhaps because the electric drive motor is now more powerful. The new transaxle also moves to dry-sump lubrication, which in theory improves efficiency, notably during all-electric running.
The suspension is by MacPherson struts at the front and trailing-arm ‘double wishbones’ at the back. Coil springs and passive dampers control matters with as little unnecessary complexity as possible, while the wheel and tyre package uses an almost anachronistically narrow 195-section tyre whether you go for the 17in or posher 19in wheel.
As for footprint, the car is 4.6m long – a length that used to position the Prius between the C-segment (Volkswagen Golf) and D-segment (Volkswagen Passat), but with the market diversifying as it has, those sectors are less defined today. It’s a bit shorter (46mm) than the Prius that went before it but has a longer wheelbase (50mm), while moving the apex of the roof is mainly to aid the aerodynamic prowess of what must be considered, by anybody’s standards, a striking silhouette.
Back in 1997, the Mk1 Prius was rather a dumpy proposition, if also quite sweet. Later in life, the model would adopt a one-box design with a dash of sci-fi intent and the look of something meant to be as efficient as possible. The Mk5 would seem to fully realise that school of design thought, and to our eyes it looks nothing short of sensational. The low-reaching nose in particular, with its embedded, scything headlights, has something of the Syd Mead creation about it, certainly.
There’s striking surfacing along the flanks too and it is a true wedge, with a windscreen rake not far off what you would find on a Lamborghini – just 21.6deg, to be precise.
