Toyota proves ugly can be efficient with new Prius

The pioneer of the green car revolution, the Toyota Prius has certainly come of age with the fourth generation now on sale in South Africa .

Finding style from its once boxy design, the 2017 Prius has managed to grow some curves since its original launch almost 20 years ago and a SA Car of the Year Finalist in 2009. With public outrage over diesel emissions, Prius must be chuckling to itself.

Dubbed as a “game-changer” all those years ago, the Toyota Prius was the first mass-produced hybrid available globally. It took its time to arrive on our shores, but once here, it introduced South Africans to a new socially responsible genre of motoring.

Now into its fourth generation, the Toyota Prius has defined its role as the forefather of hybrid vehicles. Many brands have since adopted hybrid technology but the Prius has perfected it.

Humble in its fuel consumption, our test car averaged a trickle over 4.5 litres per 100km, with very little consideration towards ‘being frugal’. Perhaps the Prius’ efficiency can largely be attributed to the next generation Toyota hybrid powertrain housed beneath the bonnet of the elongated Toyota.

Lighter and faster at charging, the electric motor is a gem, working in unison with the 1.8-litre petrol engine, which delivers 72kW of power and 142Nm of torque to deliver a seamlessly smooth drive. The car accelerates with urge thanks to the hybrid powertrain, and the car settles in nicely at 120km/h making for an enjoyable commuter. My only gripe is the howl of the motor courtesy of the CVT gearbox when stomping on the accurately termed loud pedal.

Maneuvering the car through the streets is a breeze. The electric steering is responsive and the lower centre of gravity provides a planted feel, particularly when hurrying along at higher speeds. Rear view visibility isn’t great and can make parking a bit tricky. But the upside is a rather large boot, which swallows almost every piece of luggage.

Hosting an array of technological features and standard features, the Prius is easy to live with. From the heated seats to the USB and Bluetooth audio.

Selecting EV mode, you’ll enjoy a short stint in silence up to 40km/h, certainly useful for that slow crawling Joburg traffic.

The biggest talking point for the new Prius is the redesign. Inside it stays as spacious as ever but has adopted a bright futuristic design. Admittedly the white Tupperware centre console can polarize opinions but doesn’t show dust like piano black.

After a week with the Prius, I’m not quite ready to pack it all up and live in the forest. But that’s not the purpose of the Toyota Prius. It’s meant to bring eco-friendly motoring to your fingertips, without sacrificing any of the creature comforts we have become accustomed to.