Once notorious for being one of the ugliest vehicles on the road, the Prius has received a promotion for 2023. Rising above its old 'nerd' status, the hybrid hatchback has undergone one of the biggest transformations in recent memory, replacing lethargic performance with newfound athleticism, while retaining the stellar fuel efficiency the Prius was always known for.

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Toyota Prius, Is That You?

Yes, it's a Prius, but not the one you remember. The benchmark-setting hybrid has received a complete design overhaul, with a smoother roofline and reduced lines. It no longer tries to look like a science experiment, yet it still successfully manages to look like a Prius—a much cooler Prius, that is. The restyled hatchback also adopts Toyota's latest design trends, including stylish full-width lighting and the welcome absence of overlarge grilles. The latest Prius features a sportier stance, thanks to a lower profile, widened rear track, and larger wheel sizes. Each and every body panel has been cleaned up, highlighting the few simple character lines that remain, which contrasts greatly from the outgoing model's messy styling. A more compact greenhouse echos the 2023 Prius's slightly shorter footprint, no longer cutting into the C-pillar like the previous generation did. Overall, the cleaner design clearly displays Toyota's efforts to reinvent the car that sparked today's hybrid craze.

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No Longer The Slow Poke

Abysmal 10-second crawls from 0-60 are a thing of the past. The Prius has finally embraced the electrifying speed that appeals to most modern hybrid and EV buyers, with its new driving verve earning it a signigicantly-improved 0-60 time of around 7 seconds. While this doesn't break any records, it still surpasses the fully gas-powered Corolla sedan, and blows the old Prius away. All new Priuses are equipped with a 2.0 liter inline-four hybrid engine, with front-wheel drive models like our Limited making 194 horsepower and 139 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the wheels through a continuously variable (CVT) automatic transmission. Every trim offers all-wheel drive as an option, which produces an increased output of 196 horsepower, thanks to an additional electric motor bolted to the rear axle. Meanwhile, the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, arriving later this year, is expected to deliver a very un-Prius-like 220 horsepower.

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Pros: Handsome styling, much quicker off the line, class-leading fuel efficiency

A More User-Friendly Cabin

Inside, the Prius takes a much more ergonomic approach compared to the outgoing model. It keeps its central focus on tech, but in a more sensible, less experiment-like way. The huge 12.3" touchscreen, marked as standard on the top-of-the-line Limited and optional on the mid-range XLE, runs Toyota's latest infotainment software. The larger screen supports over-the-air updates, "Hey, Toyota" voice commands, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, and an available WiFi hotspot. Compared to the Priuses of yore, the controls are now much more conveniently placed, and a conventional gear shift knob returns in place of last year's stubby shifter. Also, the digital instrument cluster is now placed directly in front of the driver, spelling the end for the distinctive strip of screen that once ran along the top of the dash.

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Handsome New Duds Sacrifice Space

While the cabin is undoubtedly a much nicer place to be, that description mainly applies to front passengers. The Prius's lower, more coupe-like roofline cuts into headroom for rear passengers, and leads to big disadvantages in terms of cargo space. With the rear seats up, cargo space is down to 20.3 cubic feet, which falls short by a decent margin compared to the outgoing model's 27.4 cubic feet of space. Those who really prioritize trunk space will find slightly more room in the base LE model, which offers 23.8 cubic feet, but that still can't beat the prior-generation Prius. On the bright side, the new Prius still surpasses its Corolla and Camry hybrid relatives in terms of cargo room. But if eye-catching looks can't make up for the reduced space inside, there are tons of roomier alternatives in the hybrid SUV segment.

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Cons: Tight rear seat, smaller cargo area, inadequate rear visibility

MPG Is Still Its Middle Name

During its makeover, the Prius didn't forget about fuel efficiency, the factor that made it so well-known in the first place. Despite the extra weight that comes with increased power, fuel economy has still increased compared to last year, and it's probably thanks to the Prius's smoother looks. With an estimated 57 MPG combined, the Prius keeps its crown as the hybrid staple, defending itself even from Toyota's own hybrid models.

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Verdict: The Prius has gone from great fuel efficiency that comes with a car to a stylish hatchback that comes with great fuel efficiency.