2022 Toyota Prius review, scrutiny and test drive: still worth watching
2022 Toyota Prius The Car That Launched The Hybrid System Mainstream The Toyota Prius was for many years an icon of the hybrid car, but it is no longer the only one of its kind. The Toyota Prius may have been the first to introduce hypermiling fuel economy to the masses, but it now suffers from competition. Its biggest rivals are the Honda Insight and Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid.
They were joined by competitors from within its brand, such as the Corolla Hybrid. With a base price of less than 25 grand, the competition is still open, which puts the 2022 Toyota Prius with only 121 horsepower and 120 lb-ft of torque in the unenviable position of being the hottest hybrid ever. But it is distinguished and known as the four-wheel drive system.
With so many alternatives, is the 2022 Toyota Prius the best and worthwhile, or should Toyota completely rethink the Prius? Read on for full details and a comprehensive review of the 2022 Toyota Prius.
New Toyota Prius for 2022
The Nightshade Special Edition model has been added, and has blacked-out exterior design elements. It is only available in white, black and silver. With some standard features such as leather seats, steering wheel, door armrests and more.
Classes of Toyota Prius 2022
The 2022 Toyota Prius lineup includes eight models as follows:
| Model | the engine | Motion vector | payment system | the price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| L Eco | Four-cylinder hybrid. 1.8 liters | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | Front-wheel drive | $24,625 |
| L.E | Four-cylinder hybrid. 1.8 liters | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | Front-wheel drive | $25,835 |
| LE AWD-e | Four-cylinder hybrid. 1.8 liters | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | All-wheel drive | $27,235 |
| xle | Four-cylinder hybrid. 1.8 liters | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | Front-wheel drive | $28,845 |
| nightshade | Four-cylinder hybrid. 1.8 liters | Continuously variable automatic (CVT) | Front-wheel drive | $29,545 |
The exterior design of Toyota Prius 2022
The Prius’s exterior has evolved over the years to include things like dual-LED headlights and LED taillights, but the overall look hasn’t changed for the most part but has been marked by increased aerodynamic efficiency. Including a very smooth front end with just a few small grids. And it stands on 15-inch alloy wheels, which can be increased to 17 inches in some models, and an electric sunroof is also available in some models.
The hatchback rear of the Prius is still awful, just adding a new plastic bumper with a diffuser helps it look semi-decent. As for the Night Shadow series, glossy black exterior trim and touches have been added to it, and dark headlight covers add to its appearance with a sporty touch.
Dimensions of Toyota Prius 2022
The dimensions of the 2022 Toyota Prius do not differ according to the model, as it is 180 inches long and has a wheelbase of 106.3 inches. The width is 69.3 inches, the height may vary in some models, but these numbers highlight just how narrow this car is. Which weighs 3,010 empty and can weigh up to 3,210 lbs.
Engine and transmission of Toyota Prius 2022
No matter which model you choose, all of the latest 2022 Toyota Prius models come with a naturally aspirated 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 96 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. It’s backed by an electric motor that adds 71 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque on its own. Together, they work to generate a total of 121 horsepower. All-wheel drive adds an additional electric motor on the rear axle producing 7 hp, which does not contribute to the overall power output (GOD) and may reduce acceleration.
Speaking of acceleration, the electric motor helps provide strong initial torque, but its intervention is temporary, and the Prius is not the kind of vehicle to make an overtaking maneuver with. But when it’s on its way, you’ll find it’s able to maintain speed relatively well. The CVT transmission also does its job relatively well and smoothly.
The speed and performance of the 2022 Toyota Prius
Straight-line performance is certainly the Prius’ strongest performance. Yes, Toyota does not disclose the car’s top speed or acceleration, but an independent test drive indicates that the 2022 Toyota Prius has a top speed of 112 mph, and takes about 10.5 seconds to reach 60 mph. But of course, nobody buys a Prius to race a Dodge. Although it will beat the Hellcat in terms of aerodynamic efficiency and gas mileage.
Most of what most people know is that the 2022 Toyota Prius is available with four-wheel drive (AWD), but the CVT transmission, makes the Prius boring for enthusiasts, but the best thing you have is the true meaning of the name of the hybrid car.
Driving impressions of the 2022 Toyota Prius
The Prius engine says it’s not the car you race in. Yes, the Prius’s steering is well-balanced and easy to control, its responsiveness is good, and in terms of road noise, we’ve had a few complaints, although it’s gotten better over the years. Once again, the Prius offers the best ride in the city, as it suffers from wind and engine noise on the highway, but it’s not bad enough to make long trips tiring.
You notice slower speeds in the Prius, and adjusting to the regenerative braking system can also be a little tricky. But it’s not overly bad, and the middle pedal is responsive and feels good enough. Our biggest complaint comes with the cabin’s design, because the driver information display is small and dingy, requiring you to look away from the road when you want to check your speed.
Fuel economy in Toyota Prius 2022
This is where the 2022 Toyota Prius shines, as it is fuel efficient. The lowest class is the most economical on gasoline, with EPA ratings of 58/53/56 mpg (city/highway/combined highway). Thanks to the 11.3-gallon petrol tank, this model will travel a whopping 1,018 km.
Now the FWD grades – all slightly heavier – achieve figures of 54/50/52 mpg, and since these versions have a smaller 10.6-gallon gas tank, they’ll achieve just under 834 km with each tank full.
Interior cabin design of Toyota Prius 2022
The interior design of the 2022 Toyota Prius did not know the meaning of quality at all, and the 2022 version still suffers from the same problem. Where you sit in a sea of hard plastic and cheap materials, arranged in a unique, albeit strange, way. The dashboard includes a 4.2-inch driver information screen in the middle that makes the driver lose focus on the road. The 7-inch entertainment screen is well positioned (some models are equipped with an 11.9 screen). inch) large screen to improve the feel of the cabin, but it is outdated. Also, imitation leather lowers the cabin level.
The spaciousness and spaciousness of the Toyota Prius 2022
The Prius seats five, with plenty of space in both rows. Yes, the headroom in the back is not good, but it is not annoying if the trip lasts a few hours, especially since the legroom in the front is commendable. The seats are manually adjusted, especially the six-way driver’s seat, while the passenger’s seat adjusts in four directions.
You can upgrade to heated, electrically powered front seats on higher models. But the biggest problem with this cabin is the driving environment. Despite the large space and very comfortable seats, the standard entertainment screen is very small, and the driver’s screen is distracting, and the vision from behind is somewhat poor.
Luggage and cargo box in Toyota Prius 2022
Not only is the fuel economy of the 2022 Toyota Prius good, the trunk space will surprise you. It has an area of 27.4 cubic feet, and lifting luggage is easy, and it is sufficient for the luggage of five people, and when the rear seats are folded in a ratio of 60/40, the space increases to 50.7 cubic feet. But it’s three feet shorter in the LE model (because of the spare wheel) and the rear electric motor overdrive.
The cabin of the 2022 Toyota Prius has large, roomy door pockets in the front. But the tailgate pockets are narrower, and in both rows are a pair of cup holders. Plus plenty of storage boxes under the center armrest, and a decent glovebox space.
Information and entertainment in the 2022 Toyota Prius
The infotainment system in the 2022 Toyota Prius includes a 7-inch touchscreen, supports phone systems, Alexa and Amazon, SiriusXM satellite radio, Bluetooth connectivity, and six speakers. But the system itself is old. There is a larger 11.6-inch screen as standard on the Limited model, but the driver is outdated and does not integrate with phone systems. It is accompanied by a powerful sound system with ten JBL speakers, as well as navigation and voice recognition systems.
Problems and reliability of the Toyota Prius 2022
So far, the Toyota Prius has been a bastion of reliability and last saw a recall in America in 2019. It had three recalls, due to its payload capacity sticker, stability control, and driver information display. The recalls affected the older model, but it hasn’t seen a recall since 2019, and reviews of the 2022 model from JD Power yielded a rating of 74 out of 100 for quality and reliability.
Maintenance and warranty expenses for Toyota Prius 2022
In terms of warranty coverage, the Prius benefits from a limited warranty for the first three years / 36,000 miles while the powertrain is covered for five years / 60,000 miles. As per usual, plug-in hybrids are taken care of for the first eight years/100,000 miles, while free periodic maintenance for the first two years/25,000 miles is also provided. The hybrid battery is covered for ten years or 150,000 miles.
Safety rating for the 2022 Toyota Prius
The 2022 Toyota Prius received a full review from NHTSA, getting a 5/5 overall and for side impact. It achieved 4 stars in the frontal crash and rollover test. The IIHS rated the 2022 version Good for most tests. But the headlight rating and the front passenger-side small overlapping crash test are acceptable rather than good.
Key safety features of the 2022 Toyota Prius
Every 2022 Toyota Prius comes with the following:
- Ten air bags, with front, side and overhead systems complemented by a driver’s knee airbag, rear side airbags and a front passenger seat airbag.
- Other standard equipment includes a rear view camera
- Hill Start Assist System
- Back seat reminder system
- Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, a suite of features that includes automatic headlights, automatic high beams, and forward collision alert with pedestrian/cyclist detection.
- Automatic emergency braking
- Radar-based dynamic cruise control with traffic sign recognition
- Lane departure warning
- Available features include front and rear parking sensors, a head-up display, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, rain-sensing wipers, and adaptive dual-LED headlights.
Value for money Toyota Prius 2022
- Toyota Prius starts at $24,525
- The LE model is slightly more expensive at $25,735.
- The price for the all-wheel drive version is $27,135.
- The midrange XLE is priced at $28,745 with the XLE AWD-e asking $29,575.
- The Night Shadow Edition costs $29,445 with front-wheel drive and $30,575 with all-wheel drive.
- But the front-wheel-drive Limited model is the most expensive, at $32,820.
Comparing the Toyota Prius 2022 to its competitors
Showdown between Toyota Prius and Honda Insight
The Honda Insight is clearly a more attractive car compared to the Toyota Prius, and starting at $25,210 it earns in price, and the Toyota Prius tips the scales with a large equipment list and a full suite of driver-assistance features. In terms of power, the Toyota Prius wins because the Honda generates 115.5 horsepower. But the torque from the Honda’s electric motor is much better too, at 197 lb-ft. And decent Honda wheels (16-inch alloys) are bigger than the Prius.
The Honda’s cabin interior design looks more upscale and elegant compared to the cheap and quiet Prius. Yes, the Prius is the most efficient, lightest and most economical on gasoline, but Insight is not far behind. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) says it gets 55/49/52 mpg, similar to some Prius models in mixed driving conditions. While the Prius is far superior to the Insight in its payload size. The Honda is only between 14.7 and 15.1 cubic meters, so if you only need a practical car that offers plenty of space, the Prius is fine, but the Honda Insight is the better option overall.
The confrontation between Toyota Prius and Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid
It is very similar to the Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid Insight, but the Ioniq is more powerful than the Toyota Prius, producing an impressive 139 horsepower. The Hyundai can achieve an EPA rating besting the Prius’ 58/60/59 mpg, and with a base price of just over $23,600, it’s also quite affordable.
Plus, it has a comfortable and stylish interior, but it falls short of the Prius in terms of cargo space, but at least you get dual-zone climate control and phone systems on every model. This isn’t our first choice for a hybrid in this segment, but it has an attractive design and a good value. Ionic still beat it.
Features of Toyota Prius 2022
- The mileage is excellent and impressive
- Reliability is good
- Equipped with many standard security features
- Give you plenty of cargo and storage space
Disadvantages of Toyota Prius 2022
- The cut is cheap and not upscale
- Old infotainment system
- Engine performance is a bit dull
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