2016 Toyota Prius first drive: Fuel economy rises again
- Base price: $24,200 (excluding destination)
- Eco model estimated fuel economy: 58 m.p.g. city/53 highway/56 combined.
- 121 hp total system power
- First car to use Toyota's new global architecture
One of the vehicles the public is clamoring to see at this year's Los Angeles auto show is Toyota's new Prius, the auto company's tried-and-true hybrid that finds an especially receptive consumer on the West Coast.
The 2016 model will be on display at the show. The car boasts an all-new architecture and looks styled to appeal to a new set of buyers, but the compact hatchback’s most prominent characteristic remains head-turning fuel economy, including an Eco model projected to rate 58 m.p.g. in the city, 53 on the highway and 56 combined. The Eco model strips out features like power seats and spare tire to reduce weight 65 pounds versus other Prius models.
The rest of the Prius line should get 54 m.p.g. city, 50 highway and 52 combined, according to Toyota.
2016 Toyota Prius to get 55 m.p.g.
Prius prices will run from $24,200 to $30,000, before options, when it goes on sale in mid-January.
The Prius is the first to use one of a series of new global vehicle architectures Toyota is developing to become more efficient and reduce costs. The compact architecture underlying the Prius will also show up on the next generation of the Corolla compact.
The car’s shape is wedgy, with a rising beltline and small, angular lights. The 2016 Prius is lower and wider than its predecessor, but remains recognizably a Prius, the fourth generation of the world’s best-selling hybrid.
It’s the first Prius to offer a lithium-ion battery in addition to Toyota’s traditional nickel-metal hydride battery. The base model gets NiMH. All other Priuses come with Li-ion, which reduces weight about 30 pounds. There’s no difference in performance or fuel economy between the two batteries.
The 2016 Prius has less power than the outgoing model, 121 hp compared to 134. Toyota says the decrease is due to a new way it measures the combined gasoline and electric power of its hybrids, but declined to say how much power a 2015 Prius had using the new measurement.
The engine’s auto-stop function, which turns it off when idling, is the smoothest yet from Toyota. It’s virtually imperceptible.
Despite Toyota’s attempt to make the Prius more sporty, most customers are likely to be drawn by its high fuel economy.
The car was easy to drive on sweeping curves, highways and suburban sprawl. It had adequate power, but won’t be a threat to sporty compacts, its wedgy shape notwithstanding.
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The steering is direct and predictable. The suspension — which features a new independent rear double-wishbone layout — kept the Prius smooth and steady from construction zones to country roads and crowded highways. Toyota added sound insulation for a noticeably quiet interior. The practical hatchback layout provides plenty of passenger and cargo space. Toyota improved the cargo compartment by moving the battery under the rear seat.
I got 44.8 m.p.g. during a test drive that covered about 50 miles ranging from highways to stop-and-go surface streets.
The Prius will offer a range of new features, including lane departure alert and assist, forward collision alert, automatic braking and parking and adaptive cruise control.
Contact Mark Phelan: mmphelan@freepress.com or 313-222-6731. Follow him on Twitter @mark_phelan.
2016 Toyota Prius at a Glance
Vehicle type: Front-wheel-drive five-passenger compact hatchback
Base price: $24,200 (excluding destination charges)
Engines: 1.8L gasoline engine and electric motor; 121 hp total power
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Estimated EPA rating: All models but Eco: 54 m.p.g. city/50 highway/52 combined. Eco: 58/53/56
Wheelbase: 106.3 inches
Length: 178.7
Width: 69.3
Height: 58.1
Base curb weight: 3,075 lbs. (3,010 Eco)