2016 Toyota Prius Review –
photos
by Jeff Cobb May 18, 2016
54 / 50MPG
4.4 / 4.7L/100km
TECHNOLOGY: Hybrid
BASE MSRP: $25,035
There’s something to be said for having the world’s most
established electrified car, and Toyota knew it as it
launched its fourth-generation 2016 Prius in January
this year.
The new hybrid’s fuel economy surpasses the 2010-2015
model’s 50 mpg combined EPA rating by as much as
10 percent with a 56 mpg “Two Eco” version, and five
other trim levels are rated 52 mpg combined.
Formally called the Prius Liftback to distinguish it
from variants, the lower, wider, and longer car promises
more spaciousness, better road manners, and Toyota
suggests the new design is “modern,” “dramatic,” or
“emotional.”
To say the highly anticipated Prius has garnered a
response is at least true. Merging styling elements of the
now-familiar wedge shape with cues from the Mirai fuel
cell car , the new look has elicited praise from some while
other armchair design critics and even some professional
reviewers have bestowed cutting remarks.
But whether people love it, don’t love it, or are
indifferent, newly introduced Prius models have incited
polarized reactions before, but after any histrionics
subsided, the perceptibly outlandish car has blended in and
Toyota keeps selling them. Lots of them.
Since 1997 Toyota has globally sold more than 3.5
million “Prii,” and its hybrid architecture has let
Toyota happily find a market for itself which it now
dominates with 70-percent U.S. marketshare and over a
dozen Lexus and Toyota models. Cumulative global
sales have totaled over 8 million.
SEE ALSO: Toyota Unveils 2016 Prius
– Video
However, so far in the U.S. this year, Prius sales
are down by an-underwhelming 6.5 percent from a year
ago, but the picture is projected to improve.
“The Prius Liftback is at a disadvantage since its sales
are no longer driven by HOV solo-access stickers and
the price of gas makes it less appealing,” said Michigan-
based analyst Alan Baum referring to sticker-eligible
plug-in cars which may also be seen as a new high-water
mark among the most environmentally minded. “Volumes
will increase during the year as there was a late start
since the product was not fully available across the
U.S. until recently.”
Hybrids have been called a “bridge” technology, but
Toyota says it is a “long” bridge that will be with us
for decades.
In its favor, the Prius is a known quantity with many
fans in its own right. Its reliability record and resale
value has settled former doubts and while plug-ins receive
more attention, the Prius’ 30,555 U.S. sales through
April soundly eclipses those of any other alternatives.
Electrified Propulsion
As promised since 2013, Toyota’s new 1.8-liter
Atkinson cycle four is its most fuel sipping ever, with
40-percent thermal efficiency netted mainly by reduced
internal friction and freer breathing but every detail has
been evaluated and addressed as needed.
The new engine forms the basis for the electrified
Hybrid Synergy Drive system which merges two motor
generators with a continuously variable transmission.
A computer manages it all enabling gas and/or electric
driving, including sub-25 mph all-electric driving. It’s
a seamless experience with two power sources merged to
take advantage of their mutual strengths.
New this year is an Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) system with a cooler to enable an ideal air/
fuel ratio through the rev range. An exhaust heat
recirculation system aids engine warming to more quickly
get it to peak operating temperatures. Weight was saved
with a resin cylinder head and the engine is lower
enabling a lower hood and center of gravity.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Prius
Specifications Revealed
Noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced, and
the engine is rated at 95 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, and
105 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000. The main traction
motor (MG2) is now mounted on a parallel shaft
enabling Toyota to shrink the transmission case while
also reducing frictional losses by 20 percent.
Output for MG2 is 71 horsepower (53 kilowatts), and
120 pounds-feet of torque and total system power is 121
horsepower.
Astute Prius followers may notice nominally less
horsepower than last year’s 134. This is true, but
Toyota says it adopted new, presumably more-
conservative calculation guidelines suggested by JARI
(Japan Automotive Research Institute).
Bottom line is 0-60 mph is the same as generation
three, and 0-30 may be a tad quicker.
The other motor generator (MG1) remains as before
with the planetary gear set in a coaxial relationship with
the engine crank shaft.
An updated Power Control Unit (PCU) does
away with heavy high-voltage orange-colored cables much
like the 2016 Chevy Volt does.
Toyota says parasitic energy losses here too are reduced
by 20 percent from the now-quieter unit directly attached
to the transaxle.
More compact architecture also enabled engineers to locate
the 12-volt battery under the hood.
As for the hybrid battery, a lithium-ion unit has been
brought to market in all of six trim levels except the
Prius Two non-Eco. This chemistry was first
introduced on the Prius plug-in hybrid which since
June has been out of production as Toyota prepares to
launch its plug-in Prius Prime promising 22 miles
EV range.
photos
by Jeff Cobb May 18, 2016
54 / 50MPG
4.4 / 4.7L/100km
TECHNOLOGY: Hybrid
BASE MSRP: $25,035
There’s something to be said for having the world’s most
established electrified car, and Toyota knew it as it
launched its fourth-generation 2016 Prius in January
this year.
The new hybrid’s fuel economy surpasses the 2010-2015
model’s 50 mpg combined EPA rating by as much as
10 percent with a 56 mpg “Two Eco” version, and five
other trim levels are rated 52 mpg combined.
Formally called the Prius Liftback to distinguish it
from variants, the lower, wider, and longer car promises
more spaciousness, better road manners, and Toyota
suggests the new design is “modern,” “dramatic,” or
“emotional.”
To say the highly anticipated Prius has garnered a
response is at least true. Merging styling elements of the
now-familiar wedge shape with cues from the Mirai fuel
cell car , the new look has elicited praise from some while
other armchair design critics and even some professional
reviewers have bestowed cutting remarks.
But whether people love it, don’t love it, or are
indifferent, newly introduced Prius models have incited
polarized reactions before, but after any histrionics
subsided, the perceptibly outlandish car has blended in and
Toyota keeps selling them. Lots of them.
Since 1997 Toyota has globally sold more than 3.5
million “Prii,” and its hybrid architecture has let
Toyota happily find a market for itself which it now
dominates with 70-percent U.S. marketshare and over a
dozen Lexus and Toyota models. Cumulative global
sales have totaled over 8 million.
SEE ALSO: Toyota Unveils 2016 Prius
– Video
However, so far in the U.S. this year, Prius sales
are down by an-underwhelming 6.5 percent from a year
ago, but the picture is projected to improve.
“The Prius Liftback is at a disadvantage since its sales
are no longer driven by HOV solo-access stickers and
the price of gas makes it less appealing,” said Michigan-
based analyst Alan Baum referring to sticker-eligible
plug-in cars which may also be seen as a new high-water
mark among the most environmentally minded. “Volumes
will increase during the year as there was a late start
since the product was not fully available across the
U.S. until recently.”
Hybrids have been called a “bridge” technology, but
Toyota says it is a “long” bridge that will be with us
for decades.
In its favor, the Prius is a known quantity with many
fans in its own right. Its reliability record and resale
value has settled former doubts and while plug-ins receive
more attention, the Prius’ 30,555 U.S. sales through
April soundly eclipses those of any other alternatives.
Electrified Propulsion
As promised since 2013, Toyota’s new 1.8-liter
Atkinson cycle four is its most fuel sipping ever, with
40-percent thermal efficiency netted mainly by reduced
internal friction and freer breathing but every detail has
been evaluated and addressed as needed.
The new engine forms the basis for the electrified
Hybrid Synergy Drive system which merges two motor
generators with a continuously variable transmission.
A computer manages it all enabling gas and/or electric
driving, including sub-25 mph all-electric driving. It’s
a seamless experience with two power sources merged to
take advantage of their mutual strengths.
New this year is an Exhaust Gas Recirculation
(EGR) system with a cooler to enable an ideal air/
fuel ratio through the rev range. An exhaust heat
recirculation system aids engine warming to more quickly
get it to peak operating temperatures. Weight was saved
with a resin cylinder head and the engine is lower
enabling a lower hood and center of gravity.
SEE ALSO: 2016 Toyota Prius
Specifications Revealed
Noise, vibration and harshness have been reduced, and
the engine is rated at 95 horsepower at 5,200 rpm, and
105 pounds-feet of torque at 4,000. The main traction
motor (MG2) is now mounted on a parallel shaft
enabling Toyota to shrink the transmission case while
also reducing frictional losses by 20 percent.
Output for MG2 is 71 horsepower (53 kilowatts), and
120 pounds-feet of torque and total system power is 121
horsepower.
Astute Prius followers may notice nominally less
horsepower than last year’s 134. This is true, but
Toyota says it adopted new, presumably more-
conservative calculation guidelines suggested by JARI
(Japan Automotive Research Institute).
Bottom line is 0-60 mph is the same as generation
three, and 0-30 may be a tad quicker.
The other motor generator (MG1) remains as before
with the planetary gear set in a coaxial relationship with
the engine crank shaft.
An updated Power Control Unit (PCU) does
away with heavy high-voltage orange-colored cables much
like the 2016 Chevy Volt does.
Toyota says parasitic energy losses here too are reduced
by 20 percent from the now-quieter unit directly attached
to the transaxle.
More compact architecture also enabled engineers to locate
the 12-volt battery under the hood.
As for the hybrid battery, a lithium-ion unit has been
brought to market in all of six trim levels except the
Prius Two non-Eco. This chemistry was first
introduced on the Prius plug-in hybrid which since
June has been out of production as Toyota prepares to
launch its plug-in Prius Prime promising 22 miles
EV range.
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