I rented a new Prius at “TOYOTA SHARE”.
Let’s check it out carefully.
Summary at the beginningSummary at the beginning
The control system is a little quirky.
It has sharp handling without being overdone.
With an overwhelming sense of stability, you can run at a high pace while making full use of the tire grip.
The suspension is quite stiff, but not to an unbearable level.
From daily eco-driving to sports driving that thoroughly drives the tires.
With its easy-to-ride size and safe behavior, you can rest assured.
Interior and exterior
about exterior
A design that is recognized by the public as a “cool car”.
The individual I rode this time was wearing small wheels.
If you consider it as a reed, it can be operated at low cost, but I have to say that it is too inconsistent with the styling.
A trendy rear design with a single line passing through the side.
about interior
The leather on the steering wheel feels nice to the touch, giving a sense of high quality and advanced technology.
The room has blue ambient lighting.
Personally, I don’t like it because it’s distracting.
I looked for a way to turn this off from the main unit settings, but couldn’t find it.
The color is fixed depending on the grade.
A functionally organized center console.
Here, the quirky shift has continued to be cast.
Also, the drive mode selector switch is too small.
Even if you try to press it with your finger, only a small area of your fingertip will get caught, and you won’t be able to find it in the dark.
Fortunately, the electric parking brake with brake hold is linked to the shift position.
By the way, the rear view monitor camera has a function that can be cleaned with washer fluid.
There is also a button that allows you to switch between wide-angle and normal viewing angle, as well as a button that allows you to switch the type of assist line.
The room lamp has an advanced design that is not just a light bulb embedded in it.
Although it’s an LED, it’s not so bright that it pierces your eyes, but it still provides a good amount of light.
It achieves both the beauty of a German car and the brightness of direct LED lighting. wonderful.
(The room lamp for the rear seats is located far back, so I found it inconvenient that I couldn’t switch it from the driver’s seat.)
A standard navigation system with a vehicle control system embedded in it.
I am dissatisfied with the fact that the current location display is a physical button and there is no button, and the map zoom button is located at the far left corner.
The current location is indicated by a blue circular arrow in the upper right corner, but I wish it would have been larger and easier to press like on SUBARU and HONDA.
The size of the navigation system in this grade is slightly small, but personally, it’s okay because it greatly improves the “zoom button problem of car navigation systems at the ends of the earth” that I just mentioned.
Physical buttons control the air conditioner. very nice.
Also, the surface of only the temperature switch part is painted red and blue, making it easy to find even in the dark.
The button layout is simple and clear, and the buttons are not as narrow as they are on the Crown Crossover. This is the best air conditioner control system that is easy to use.
The hazards are placed in easy to push positions, but they give the impression that they are a little far away.
There are two types of cigarette socket and USB port at the back of the center console.
By the way, the USB port on the left side is for data communication with the vehicle’s internal system, so do not connect it carelessly.
It has been reported that connecting external equipment here has caused a fatal impact on the basic operation of the vehicle.
Don’t connect devices that say, “You can watch YouTube while driving just by connecting it to the navigation system!”
I am using the USB-C on the left, but this is incorrect.
Well, there is actually an “↑” mark at the bottom of this space.
If you lift this up, a mysterious space with “#HIDDENCOMPARTMENT” written on it will appear.
There are also two USB-C charging ports in the center console box.
(I think it would have been better to have at least one conventional USB-A, though…)
There is also a groove cut into the left side of the box, just enough for the cable to pass through.
Right now I’m throwing a mini flashlight in there, but I can also plug my phone in here while it’s charging.
In addition, it seems that you can add a space to insert your smartphone and a wireless charging function.
The engine push start button is on the left.I’m used to the right side so it’s confusing until I get used to it, but it’s placed in the easiest position to press.
Button on the left side of the steering wheel.
It has functions such as switching information inside the navigation system, adjusting volume, and inputting voice information for the navigation system.
The interior of the navigation menu includes instantaneous fuel consumption, cruise control monitor, audio, and vehicle settings.
There is no big difference from Toyota cars around 2015.
When you enter the settings screen, you will see a large number of on/off options for electronic assist equipment written in 3-4 letters and small icons. There are so many that I don’t know what they are.
The vehicle settings menu includes functions that encourage you to take a break and notify you when the vehicle in front of you starts moving.
You can select the language, speed unit, etc. from the display settings.
The right side of the steering wheel is related to cruise control and driving assist.
You can switch between following the vehicle in front and maintaining a constant speed, which is convenient when driving on empty highways.
(The problem with the cruise control system that follows the vehicle in front is that it detects the vehicle in front and starts decelerating before moving into the overtaking lane.)
However, the switching function makes the cruise control area extremely difficult to understand.
Below that is audio selection and mode switching.
Fortunately, the turn signal is the type that keeps going.
If you push it down, you can turn off only the headlights. If you press and hold while it is down, the light will turn off.
On the right side are ETC, auto high beam, fuel filler switch, etc.
The meter illumination adjustment and trip meter reset buttons are hidden in the upper left of the photo.
The door mirror adjustment button has a Lexus-like shape, but it feels a bit squishy and doesn’t feel as comfortable to operate as it looks.
By displaying the energy flow, you can know how much power is left in the drive battery.
Using the necessary and sufficient torque, it is possible to drive a considerable distance normally in EV mode at speeds below 60km/h, which is useful for managing the remaining battery power at that time.
When the drive mode is switched, a pop-up appears at the top of the screen.
If it is stopped, it can be customized from “Settings” on the right side.
Specifications of the car I drove
It is a “G” grade with a new car price of 3.2 million yen.
It is a 2023 model with FF CVT.
- Body size is 4600 x 1780 x 1430 mm
- Engine is a 2L straight-4 NA
- Maximum output is 152ps(112kW)/6000rpm
- Maximum torque is 188Nm/4400~5200rpm
- Maximum output of the motor is 113ps
- Maximum torque of the motor is 206Nm
- Vehicle weight is 1400kg.
- Battery capacity is 4.08Ah
The maximum output of the engine and motor added together is 265ps and 394Nm. This means that the car has excellent acceleration power.
In the case of the 4WD model, a 41 PS, 84 Nm motor is added to the rear wheels.
The motor output of the PHV model is increased to 120ps and 208Nm.
As usual, we identified the grade from Toyota’s VIN number search service and checked the specifications in the GooNet catalog.
We also referred to TOYOTA’s official website to confirm the various specifications around the hybrid system.
https://toyota.jp/pages/contents/prius/005_p_001/5.0/pdf/spec/prius_spec_202312.pdfDrive test
visibility
When I rented and drove this Prius in a rental car shortly after it was introduced to the world, I mentioned the “difficulty in grasping the sense of width at a level that would cause rejection” as a drawback.
However, I did not think it was that bad the second time around.
The original size of the car is also small, so once you get used to it, it will normally be easy to drive.
If you find it hard to drive, remember to raise the seat. In many cases, just by raising the viewpoint, driving becomes easier.
about powertrain
The big appeal of this Prius is that the motor has sufficient output.
By using this to assist, agile acceleration is achieved.
Increased motor torque also benefits fuel efficiency.
For example, when going down a hill or driving around town, a fairly large braking force can be generated using only regenerative braking, so energy recovery is efficient.
In addition, even in EV mode, which can be used at speeds below 60 km/h, it is possible to accelerate without inconvenience, even in normal driving where you reduce the accelerator opening and gain distance with the engine off.
This makes it possible to maximize fuel efficiency according to road conditions.
Additionally, the battery capacity is relatively large for this type of hybrid, so you can charge it on long descents and drive in EV mode for several kilometers without any problems.
In terms of accelerating power assistance, it can hold electricity for a long time, so it will be difficult to run out of electricity even when climbing mountains such as Hakone or Mt. Fuji.
Of course, the underlying power of the engine is not bad either.
about brakes
You can build up a strong braking force without pressing too hard.
The initial braking is not too strong, and there is no discomfort when switching between regenerative braking and hydraulic braking.
Coupled with the well-balanced weight of approximately 1.4 tons, the braking power itself is also sufficiently high.
About handling
Sharp steering that feels like it’s going in from the start.
Even if you’re winding down at a leisurely pace that prioritizes fuel efficiency, you can use the tire grip firmly and have fun riding.
While maintaining a sharp steering feel, it doesn’t feel too sharp even when you go all out.
It’s within the range for everyone.
The roll itself should be done firmly, but be restrained early and turn with a stable movement.
The understeer tendency is modest, and combined with the solid acceleration power, you can drive through the car with ease.
Perhaps the biggest appeal of the Prius is that the vehicle’s movement remains constant even when the tire grip is used up.
Even if you hear a clicking sound from the tires while turning, the car continues to move gently, with a tendency to understeer.
It’s a very comfortable setting that allows you to drive up to speed safely without any fear.
About ride comfort
Although it has a rigid suspension that hardly makes any strokes, the strength of the impact that enters the frame itself is not that strong.
His last ride had nearly broken his back, but this time it didn’t feel as bad.
I can’t say it’s “comfortable”, but it’s not bad.
I wonder if it’s a difference in wheel size or air pressure.
When I measured the air pressure when I felt the temperature, it was approximately 250kpa.
The specified air pressure for the vehicle is 240 front and 230 rear.
A classic choice that increases straight-line stability by making the front relatively high.
This car’s tendency to understeer is modest, but if it were me, I’d probably ride with the front and rear the same or a little higher in the rear.
