Consumer Reports Comes to Test the 2016 Toyota Prius

Consumer Reports recently visited sunny and windy Southern California to test the media introduction of the redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius, provided by a prototype vehicle. This visit was an exciting opportunity for us to experience firsthand the improvements made to this iconic hybrid model.

The primary reason people buy a Toyota Prius is its exceptional fuel economy, and the 2016 version has seen incremental but notable improvements. The new Prius boasts a claimed 52 combined miles per gallon in most grades. However, it's worth noting that Toyota also offers an Echo model, which achieves ACC claimed 56 MPG thanks to incorporating a spare tire and other weight-saving gimmickry.

In contrast, the current model gets 44 MPG in the Consumer Reports test cycle. The guts of the hybrid system remain largely unchanged from previous models, but with several key upgrades. One notable change is the use of a higher efficiency lithium-ion battery pack, which represents a significant improvement over the nickel metal hydride battery used in older models.

Despite these improvements, 0-60 acceleration times for the Prius are roughly the same as those of its predecessor. However, Toyota claims that the powertrain has been fine-tuned to deliver better mid-range punch on the outside. The Prius retains its distinctive silhouette from previous generations but boasts a bit more refined sheet metal design.

One notable change is the updated appearance of the headlights and tail lights, which now feature a more futuristic look. Inside the car, Toyota has made significant strides in terms of interior design. Gone are the hard plastic surfaces that once dominated the interior; instead, drivers can enjoy nicely grained pleather materials and swoopy scalloped consoles.

The new Prius is designed to be an attractive option for mainstream shoppers who want their vehicles to be more than just fuel-efficient family cars. However, older drivers may notice a slight decrease in seat height, which makes getting into the car feel more like a controlled fall than an easy sit.

For those who do care about the car's dynamic response, the 2016 Edition features significant improvements over its predecessor. The Prius now boasts a double Wishbone independent rear suspension, replacing the solid axle design used previously. This change results in sharper cornering, less body roll, and a more substantial ride. Drivers can also appreciate improved steering wheel feedback.

While the Prius is not a sports car by any means, repeat customers shopping for the new model will definitely notice the difference it makes over its predecessor. The grabby brakes have been replaced with ones featuring a more precise feel, which enhances overall driving experience.

Pricing for the 2016 Toyota Prius starts at $24,400 but can jump significantly if buyers opt for the full safety suite, including parking assist, pre-collision warning with automatic braking, lane departure warning, automatic highbeam headlamps, and dynamic cruise control. There won't be a plug-in model available at launch, but it's expected to arrive on the market in the near future.

All-wheel drive is also under consideration for future models of the Prius. With these driving impressions in hand, we are eagerly awaiting the opportunity to test the 2016 Toyota Prius at our Connecticut facility once it goes on sale in January. For more information on the Prius and other hybrid vehicles, be sure to visit consumerreports.org.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enConsumer Reports came to sunny and windy Southern California for the media introduction of the redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius here are our initial impressions of a prototype vehicle provided by Toyota for most folks the key reason for buying a Toyota Prius is fuel economy and the 2016 version sees an incremental but notable Improvement the new Prius gets a claimed 52 combined miles per gallon in most grades but Toyota also offers an Echo model that gets ACC claimed 56 MPG thanks to emitting a spare tire and other weight-saving gimmickry the current priest gets 44 MPG in the consumer reports test cycle the guts of the hybrid system are basically the same technology as before though when The evolutionary Toyota away every part is smaller lighter and more efficient the one big change is with the battery pack with a higher efficiency lithium ion battery however Toyota will still sell a carryover nickel metal hydride battery as its least expensive model 0 to 60 acceleration times are about the same as that of the old Prius although Toyota claims it changed the powertrain mapping for better mid-range punch on the outside the Prius keeps the same basic silhouette although the sheet metal is a bit more etched the headlights and tail lights have a more futuristic gleam in their eyes inside the Prius ditches its hard plastic surroundings for nicely grained pleather surfaces and swoopy scalloped consoles it's definite Improvement and a clear move to impress mainstream Shoppers who who want the Prius to be something more than the family science project however older drivers will notice the 1in lower seat height which makes getting into the car more like a controlled fall than an easy sit as for infotainment two 4-in display screens show an array of vehicle information and while most Prius Shoppers don't look at the car for its Dynamic response the 2016 Edition sees a definite improvement over the old model by shifting from a solid axle rear suspension to a double Wishbone independent design the Prius is a more athletic vehicle based on our initial drive it boasts sharper cornering less body roll a more substantial ride and better steering wheel feedback it's no sports car but repeat customers shopping the new model will definitely notice the difference and the grabby brakes are gone replaced by ones with more precise feel pricing starts at $244,700 but quickly jumps to $30,000 if you want the full safety Suite with parking assist pre-collision warning with automatic braking Lane departure warning automatic highbeam headlamps and dynamic cruise control there won't be a plug-in model at launch but expect one down the road all-wheel drive is also being considered with these driving impressions in hand we're eager for the Prius to go on sale in January so that we can buy one and test it at our Connecticut facility for more information on the Prius and other hybrid vehicles check out consumerreports.orgConsumer Reports came to sunny and windy Southern California for the media introduction of the redesigned 2016 Toyota Prius here are our initial impressions of a prototype vehicle provided by Toyota for most folks the key reason for buying a Toyota Prius is fuel economy and the 2016 version sees an incremental but notable Improvement the new Prius gets a claimed 52 combined miles per gallon in most grades but Toyota also offers an Echo model that gets ACC claimed 56 MPG thanks to emitting a spare tire and other weight-saving gimmickry the current priest gets 44 MPG in the consumer reports test cycle the guts of the hybrid system are basically the same technology as before though when The evolutionary Toyota away every part is smaller lighter and more efficient the one big change is with the battery pack with a higher efficiency lithium ion battery however Toyota will still sell a carryover nickel metal hydride battery as its least expensive model 0 to 60 acceleration times are about the same as that of the old Prius although Toyota claims it changed the powertrain mapping for better mid-range punch on the outside the Prius keeps the same basic silhouette although the sheet metal is a bit more etched the headlights and tail lights have a more futuristic gleam in their eyes inside the Prius ditches its hard plastic surroundings for nicely grained pleather surfaces and swoopy scalloped consoles it's definite Improvement and a clear move to impress mainstream Shoppers who who want the Prius to be something more than the family science project however older drivers will notice the 1in lower seat height which makes getting into the car more like a controlled fall than an easy sit as for infotainment two 4-in display screens show an array of vehicle information and while most Prius Shoppers don't look at the car for its Dynamic response the 2016 Edition sees a definite improvement over the old model by shifting from a solid axle rear suspension to a double Wishbone independent design the Prius is a more athletic vehicle based on our initial drive it boasts sharper cornering less body roll a more substantial ride and better steering wheel feedback it's no sports car but repeat customers shopping the new model will definitely notice the difference and the grabby brakes are gone replaced by ones with more precise feel pricing starts at $244,700 but quickly jumps to $30,000 if you want the full safety Suite with parking assist pre-collision warning with automatic braking Lane departure warning automatic highbeam headlamps and dynamic cruise control there won't be a plug-in model at launch but expect one down the road all-wheel drive is also being considered with these driving impressions in hand we're eager for the Prius to go on sale in January so that we can buy one and test it at our Connecticut facility for more information on the Prius and other hybrid vehicles check out consumerreports.org\n"