The 2016 Toyota Prius Excites With New Features

December 15, 2015

The Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle in the world when it went on sale in its native Japan in 1997, before going on sale here in the United States in 2000. It's probably still the first name most people will think of when they are asked to name a hybrid vehicle. But the all-new 2016 model is different from its predecessors in just about every way now, apart from its name and the fact it's an electric/gasoline hybrid. Basically, if you liked what the Prius had to offer in the past, you're going to love what you'll find with this all-new, fourth-generation 2016 model.



The first thing that hits you about the 2016 Toyota Prius is the stunning new exterior. While it's still instantly recognizable as a Prius with its steeply raked windshield, its high tail that now features a distinct spoiler, and the characteristic drooping roof line, there's a very up-to-date look about it now. The nose has been lowered, the rear is higher, and the roof's peak has now been moved forward. The all-new Prius is now 2.4 inches longer, close to an inch lower, and half an inch wider than the third-generation 2015 model it replaces.

Of course, the main feature of the Prius is its hybrid propulsion system, and notable upgrades have been made here as well with the new model. The 2016 Prius is expected to deliver fuel economy ratings of 54 mpg in the city, 50 mpg on the highway and 52 mpg combined, although final EPA figures are still pending. That's better than you can expect to achieve from any mass-produced passenger vehicle available without a plug at the moment. Like the previous model, the new Prius runs on regular-grade gasoline, and a new Eco grade model expects to return 58/53/56 mpg for city/highway/combined driving, thanks to its lighter weight and further optimized aerodynamics.

As for safety, the 2016 Prius will be one of the first of the company's U.S. models to offer Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS (P)), which is a new multi-feature advanced safety suite anchored by its automatic pre-collision braking. TSS brings together in one package a bundle safety features that include: Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Full-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Automatic High Beams.

The 2016 Prius is the first Toyota vehicle to be based on the New Global Architecture, which along with the aerodynamics of the exterior is designed to deliver an even more impressive and refined driving experience than before.

Add into the mix a new, premium, quieter interior that has advanced technologies and features that are functional, fun and a delight to the eyes, and the all-new 2016 Toyota Prius is an extremely engaging automobile to drive, or to be driven in. It appears the all-new fourth-generation Prius has just rewritten the hybrid rulebook it created itself in the first place.