We spend a week in the soon-to-be-replaced best-selling hybrid sold in America
Pros
Fuel economy
Interior room
Visible eco cred
Cons
Interior sound levels
Mediocre handling
Numb steering
2015 Toyota Prius
With the introduction of a new Prius not that far away, the 2015 iteration represents this model's swan song. With that in mind, we felt it appropriate to take one last look at the third generation of Toyota's homage to tree-huggers everywhere as well as the vehicle that is largely responsible for the manufacturer's continued dominance in the hybrid market.
Exterior
Outside, the 2015 Prius retains the same iconic Kammback shape that was established 12 years ago when the second generation model was introduced. Making no bones that the priority is cheating the wind, the front is dominated by sleek-looking headlamp enclosures and a large lower air intake. A lower and rising upper character line define its sides while, in back, the signature spoiler and split rear window are flanked by large vertical tail lamps.
The signature "double bubble" roof, however, is conspicuous by its absence as this Prius three tester was equipped with the optional Solar Roof package. Part sunroof and part solar panel, the latter can power the HVAC fan when the vehicle is unoccupied, ventilating the interior when the vehicle is parked in direct sunlight.
Interior
Unlike the space age exterior which is a classic in its own right, the interior, futuristic as it is, is beginning to show its age. While the materials and fit and finish are all first class, most of the surfaces consist of hard plastic panels and trim bits - something no longer found in vehicles even priced in the low twenties, let alone one with a window sticker of over $28,000. Considering the current level of interior tactility, the next-gen Prius can't come too soon.
While the fluorescent gauges are easy to read – even the touchscreen comes with redundant buttons for the major functions - their upper center dash placement takes some getting used to and this can sometimes be distracting, although hyper-miler nerds will find that there are ten ways from Sunday to measure how efficiently one can travel from point A to point B.
Likewise, it also takes time adjusting to the transmission selector joystick and push-to-engage park function. We also couldn't help but notice that with the sunroof open, the touchscreen can be nearly impossible to read due to reflected glare from sunlight because of its display angle.
Despite the fact that the Prius's zoomy, flying buttress-like center console takes up more space than would seem necessary; the cabin feels both open and airy. This is hardly an illusion because despite its compact dimensions outside, its EPA-measured 116 cubic feet of interior volume puts it at the upper end of the midsize category.
The steering wheel both tilts and telescopes, the front seats are nicely bolstered, very supportive and they afford plenty of room for even tall adults. In back, there's plethora of leg, hip, shoulder and head room for up to three more adults.
By way of an aside, for our money the cloth seats in the Prius Three are more comfortable than the imitation leather ones found in either the Prius Four or Prius Five.
Views out the front, sides and rear three quarters are very good, aided by a moderate cowl and beltline height as well as a small window behind the C-pillar. The view out back, however, isn't nearly as good – hindered by the wind-cheating sloped roofline and Kammback-terminating spoiler that splits the rear window. Fortunately for those involved, the Prius in all trim levels comes standard with a rear view camera display that aids in backing up and parking.
Under the hood
Regardless of trim, the Prius comes with just one drivetrain: Toyota's 2ZR-FXE Atkinson cycle 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a less-than-heart-pounding 98 horsepower and 105 lb.-ft. of torque. The system's electric motor generates 80 horsepower and 153 lb.-ft. of torque resulting in a total net horsepower of 134 that's delivered to the front wheels via a buzz-kill CVT automatic transmission.
As you might expect, fuel economy in the Prius is not just excellent, but outstanding. The EPA rates it at 51/48/50 city/highway/combined mpg, while our own observed, impatient, lead-footed, environment-be-damned, pedal to the metal fuel economy was a pleasantly surprising average of 47 miles per gallon in a mix of both city and highway driving.
On the road
Let's face it; the current Prius has never been much fun to drive. Acceleration is satisfactory, but that's really as far as it goes. As an example, we've found that you really have to put your foot into it to experience anything close to "peppy". While the ride is controlled, the narrow, fuel-efficient tires mean this is about as far from a corner-carver as it gets, as the body has a tendency to lean when tossed into one of these. Truth be told, the suspension appears to be its happiest when you're traveling in a straight line. And although the steering has a nice weight to it, there's very little feedback through the steering wheel.
On the other hand, the braking system is one of the Prius's high points. The brakes feel natural and are easy to modulate with the regeneration function now barely noticeable. There's also pretty good feedback to the driver through the brake pedal.
Away from city traffic and on the freeway where you can get a better feel for it, the ride is on the firm side. And while it's well-controlled on smooth pavement, at those higher speeds large bumps and road imperfections are transmitted to the cabin.
At the same time, in around town the interior is fairly quiet – especially for a compact sedan. But as road speed increases, so does the level of road noise and the occasional tire slap that enters the cabin. We also noticed a fair amount of engine noise during acceleration and when merging onto the freeway.
2015 Prius pricing
The 2015 Prius is available in five trim levels (Prius Two, Prius Three, Prius Four, Prius Persona Series SE and Prius Five). 2015 Prius pricing starts at $25,025 for a base Prius Two and can top out at over $40,000 for a fully-accessorized Prius Five with the Advanced Technology Package.
This 2015 Prius Three tester was at the lower end of that scale with a base price of $25,765. Adding the $1,500 Solar Roof Package and $225 for carpeted floor and cargo mats plus an $825 delivery and processing fee brought the total MSRP to $28,315.
The Bottom Line
In our week with it, we found that there is still a lot to like about the third-generation Toyota Prius. Not only is it incredibly fuel efficient, if you're an eco-nerd there are plenty of ways you can measure as well as improve your driving efficiency. In addition, for its exterior size there's plenty of interior room and the ride is especially nice in around town driving.
Topping it all off, it not only functions differently than a non-hybrid vehicle, it doesn't look like a regular car –everyone knows that it's clearly advertising the eco-consciousness of its owners.
On the other hand, not only is the interior fairly noisy on the highway, its handling is only mediocre and the steering is non-communicative, which translates into a vehicle that, on the whole, is not a lot of fun to drive.
But the fact remains that Toyota didn't build the third-generation Prius for driving enthusiasts but for those whose driving mission is to go from point A to point B as efficiently – and with as little impact to the environment – as possible. This it excels at and drivers with this goal in mind should put it at the top of their lists.
Here at Lot Pro, we only hope that the new model will build upon this one's strengths, while at the same time addressing its weaknesses. As we see it, this is the only way, barring a big increase in the price of gasoline, that Toyota can bolster sales of its flagship Prius model.
