2023 Toyota Prius Performance

It won't set the drag strip on fire, but the Toyota Prius' 0-60-mph sprint has improved beyond all recognition from a glacial ten-plus seconds to a low-seven-second sprint, according to independent tests. Thanks to nearly 200 hp, it's now snappy enough to keep up with fast-moving traffic, while merging and passing are no longer nerve-wracking undertakings that require a white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel and plenty of forethought. It's punchy in town with instant bottom-end torque thanks to the electric assistance. Top speed is limited to 115 mph. It's just a shame that the four-cylinder gas engine can be a bit brash and unrefined. It's not meant for trailering duty, and whereas some markets quote a 1,600-pound figure, Toyota USA doesn't rate it to tow at all, with no figure available.

The engine in the Toyota Prius is an Atkinson-cycle 2.0L four-cylinder that develops 150 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque on its own. Combined with a single front-mounted electric motor in the FWD models, total system output comes to 194 hp. The AWD models have two electric motors - the rear-mounted one drives the rear wheels - but total system output is only increased marginally to 196 hp. Toyota does not provide combined torque figures. The motors are fed by a 0.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack. Whether fitted with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, all models share the same CVT automatic. With a maximum ground clearance of six inches, you can forget about taking the Prius off-road; the AWD system is purely meant to improve grip on slippery surfaces and will be appreciated by drivers living in the Snow Belt.

Despite the massive improvement in performance, you'd be pleasantly surprised that the EPA-rated gas mileage and mpg figures for the Toyota Prius have not suffered as a result. In fact, they're slightly better than before - a big feat, considering the power boost. The LE with its smaller 17-inch wheels is the most efficient, with city/highway/combined figures of 57/56/57 mpg - 1 mpg better than before on the combined cycle. The LE's figures drop slightly to 54/53/54 mpg for the AWD LE - an impressive 5 mpg better than before on the combined cycle. The XLE and Limited trims with 19-inch alloys are slightly less efficient, with the FWD and AWD models' figures being 52/52/52 mpg and 49/50/49 mpg, respectively.

The FWD models have a fuel capacity of 11.3 gallons, giving the thriftiest base FWD LE a maximum range of around 644 miles. The lowest range belongs to the AWD XLE/Limited; with its smaller 10.5-gallon tank and worse consumption, range pans out to a still-excellent 514 miles.