29 Feb
Blog

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable Hybrid For The Masses

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid review ry 4th

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Review: Affordable hybrid for the masses

"The Toyota Corolla Hybrid 2020 is an excellent choice for frugal buyers."

  • Affordable prices

  • A lot of drive safety technology

  • Dynamic cruise control works well

  • Attractive styling

  • Modest trunk

  • Entune infotainment needs work

If you've been waiting for the hybrid version of Toyota's most popular and cheapest sedan to come to US dealers, this is your year. The 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid Sedan is here and it's about $ 23,000 to launch.

Corolla is not a new kid on the block. It made its debut in the late 1960s with more than 46 million copies sold worldwide. Many other Toyotas received hybrid treatment before the Corolla, including the RAV4, Highlander and even the Camry, Corolla's bigger sibling.

The Corolla Hybrid is affordable, but not the cheapest hybrid. The 2020 Honda Insight and 2020 Hyundai Ioniq are a few hundred dollars cheaper.

I tested the Corolla Hybrid in rainy January weather in the Pacific Northwest. It is an ideal time to test the driver assistance functions of the car (without deliberately endangering myself or the car).

design

Toyota has revised its range in recent years and this year it was Corolla's turn. Toyota decided that the car might as well be designed for a hybrid powertrain as well as the usual gasoline-only engine. This speaks for the success of Toyota’s hybrid technology, which has slowly but surely crept in from the Prius into other Toyota vehicles.

While some cars can continue to drive without a visit to the design team, the Corolla is popular and the Toyota design team visits it often. The last complete redesign took place in 2014 with an update in 2017. In between, Toyota has published special editions. The equipment variants and functions are revised considerably each year to keep up with the new trends.

The 2020 Corolla Hybrid features a simplified version of the new Toyota Camry front with a large grille and a sloping bonnet. It may not be the most exciting design, but given the price, it's nothing to make fun of.

2020 Toyota Corolla back seatRiley Young / Digital Trends

You can find more cargo space in the trunk of the Honda Insight or in the hatchback Hyundai Ioniq. If you are just trying to choose between the hybrid and the non-hybrid Corolla sedan, you will be happy to know that the hybrid system does not penetrate the trunk. But trucks are still among the smallest in its segment.

Seating is typical of a small car. The front seats are fine for most people, and the rear seats are tight for adults. The batteries are located under the rear seat, so that the seat for the rear passengers is not affected more than usual in a car of this size.

technology

The Corolla Hybrid has an 8-inch touchscreen that is mounted high in the center console for maximum visibility. This is a common design for Toyota interiors, and although it's functional, I've always found it strange. It looks like it should fold down when you're not using it, but it doesn't work. The strange design of the screen makes the interior look old-fashioned than it is.

The driver has a large 7-inch digital display that you can customize to display the information you want. You can choose to display, for example, the odometer or the outside temperature. I have set it to show current fuel consumption and fuel consumption as I would like to see how my driving affects my average mileage in real time. After all, this is a hybrid.

Riley Young / Digital Trends

Unfortunately for Toyota, the Entune infotainment system lags behind Corolla's competitors. It is compatible with Apple CarPlay, but not with Android Auto. There is a USB port that is common for every vehicle in 2020, but is in an inconvenient place on the right side of the center console.

The basic system of the Hyundai Ioniq is easier to use and offers both Android and Apple compatibility. There is also an upgrade with a larger screen and wireless charging. The Honda Insight's basic infotainment system is sparse and resembles what you'll find in the Corolla. But like the Ioniq, Honda offers an improved system with a larger screen and a WiFi hotspot.

For those who work their Prime membership for everything that's worth it, Corolla's Entune system is compatible with Amazon Alexa. This is still an unusual feature in any car, let alone one that sells for less than $ 25,000.

fuel consumption

If you're considering the Corolla Hybrid, you're probably in for fuel economy. You will not be disappointed. The hybrid is rated by the EPA at a combined speed of 52 mpg, with city and highway averages in the late 1950s. The Corolla only with gas is designed for a combined output of approx. 33 mpg, depending on which model it is.

That's great compared to most cars, but pretty typical of a modern hybrid sedan. The Honda Insight publishes almost identical numbers with a total of 52 mpg. The Hyundai Ioniq surpasses both with a combined 58 mpg.

2020 Toyota Corolla HybridRiley Young / Digital Trends

There is an EV mode with which the car can only use battery power at very low speeds and very short distances. At first I found this disappointing because any acceleration would leave EV mode to get going. Then I found an application: sneaking around in traffic. I could use EV mode while waiting for a light to change or an accident to go out.

I drove the Corolla a little over a hundred miles over a week. This was mostly the case on roads and local highways, so I never set it to 65 mph. I was also not careful with my acceleration, which I found peppy enough in the city. On rainy days I made a few short trips to the grocery store about a mile away, which is terrible for everyone's gasoline consumption.

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid front seatsRiley Young / Digital Trends

At the end of my test drive, the middle display showed me that my real fuel consumption was in the mid-1940s. That number is low, but my miles were completely stop-and-go. If you can set the adaptive cruise control for longer distances than me, your mileage may be closer to the EPA numbers.

safety

The Corolla features Toyota's Safety Sense Suite with driver assistance functions and a full list of safety technologies. I have used all but two functions. automatic high beam as well as pedestrian and cyclist detection. I was in town so high beam was not necessary and no one stepped in front of my car or drove.

My toughest test was on a rainy night on a street with dubious markings and irregular traffic patterns. The lane keeping assistant was able to find the middle dotted lane with reflectors, but it was difficult for him to find the correct lane marking that had broken down in places. The Corolla's steering assistant gently suggested that I hug the middle lane marker more than I would like.

I had also set dynamic cruise control on this trip and it worked well. This system will bring you to the limit and if it detects that the car has moved in front of you, you will be asked to press a button or restart the accelerator. It follows traffic as it should. It was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane, and it correctly displayed the speed limit sign.

The dynamic speed control was able to adapt quickly when another car entered my lane.

The National Highway Safety Traffic Association rated the Corolla Hybrid five out of five stars, with perfect results in front and side crash tests and four out of five stars in the rollover test. The insurance institute for road traffic safety has awarded Corolla a top safety ax because it received the top grade “good” in every test.

The Honda Insight was recognized as a Top Safety Pick + for its excellent crash test ratings and headlight lighting. The Hyundai Ioniq has not yet been tested by the NHTSA, but received top marks in all IIHS tests.

The Corolla Hybrid has a comprehensive 3 year / 36,000 miles warranty and 5 years / 60,000 miles warranty on the powertrain. Hybrid components are guaranteed for 8 years / 100,000 miles.

Price and availability

The base MRSP of the Toyota Corolla is $ 22,950. Our tested price was $ 24,303. The extra money went only to a body protection package and carpet mats. Since I tested the car in bad weather in January, these were smart additions from Toyota.

How DT would configure this car

The Corolla Hybrid comes in just one version, the LE, and is only available as a sedan. There are no options or packages for this car. When you visit Toyota.com and build a Corolla to your specifications, you can choose the interior and exterior colors and add accessories such as floor mats and crossbars on the roof. That's it.

You can at least choose the color, and although the test car was in Celestite, a gray-blue shade, blue print is definitely the way to go.

Wrap up

The Corolla has long been an affordable car for the masses. Now it's an affordable hybrid for the masses.

The Corolla Hybrid doesn't offer much luxury. Some of the upper panels of the gasoline-powered Corolla are prettier than this, and there are no options like leather upholstery or heated seats to refine the hybrid. This Corolla is a hybrid for people on a budget, whose first priority is a safe, reliable car and whose second priority is fuel consumption.

Still, the Corolla's Drive Assist technology is solid for the price. It wasn't perfect, but it worked well even in harsh conditions. I just wish the Toyota Entune system would be better and offer Android auto support.

Should you buy the 2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid?

Yes. If you are looking for a reliable, low-cost limousine from a manufacturer with a decades-long hybrid record, the 2020 Corolla Hybrid is the right choice for you. Just don't expect a fantastic infotainment experience.

Editor's recommendations




27 Feb
Blog

Toyota RAV4 XSE Hybrid AWD First Drive: Come For AWD, Stay For Comfort

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSE

The RAV4 XSE Hybrid AWD from Toyota is a shockingly efficient SUV for all seasons

"Nobody can complain about the practicality of the Toyota RAV4, especially with hybrid technology and all-wheel drive."

  • Spacious, comfortable interior

  • Attractive style

  • Reliable AWD system

  • Excellent fuel consumption

  • So-so interior technology

  • Not really suitable for offroading

Women buy 54% of cars in the United States and, unlike men, do not decide which car or model to buy based on the model or brand. Women are usually more practical and take care of the interior or the cargo space the most.

That is true in my case. As a journalist and filmmaker, I have to have a second closet in my car and enough space to bring my lighting and camera equipment. And I need space for my two babies – my dog ​​Bruno and my cat Roberta. I really want everything.

The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid All-Wheel Drive (AWD) meets all of the above requirements at an affordable price. You can keep your vacation budget by understanding your financial needs, your family, and your lifestyle expectations.

As a thrill seeker, I decided to analyze this SUV on a trip where Florida alligators set the rules. Everglades National Park. The muddy park became the perfect place to experiment with the RAV4's all-wheel drive system as I thought about how it could fit into my everyday life.

AWD and off-road performance

The RAV4 Hybrid AWD is the best-selling SUV in America. While most people buy it with a 4-cylinder engine, the hybrid version offers many advantages. Thanks to the combination of a gasoline engine at the front and an electric motor at the rear, it not only delivers better mileage, but also more power than others (219 compared to the 4-cylinder 203).

The petrol engine drives the front wheels, while a 54 hp engine only drives the rear. They work together on an electronic on-demand all-wheel drive system that allows the car to decide how to supply electricity.

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSELara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

Such an advanced system has practical advantages under tricky conditions. The off-road experience begins by activating the trail mode, which makes the vehicle more aggressive and ready to overcome the obstacles ahead.

Although the RAV4 has no mechanical limited slip differential, it has an electronic lock. A computerized operation in which the rear electric motor is activated to give the wheels more power by turning faster and pushing the vehicle thanks to the traction it generates.

If you only use EV mode with activated trail mode, you can drive through steep gravel hills. With the automatic all-wheel drive, the computer can analyze where the torque is needed. In this case, thanks to the electric motor, up to 80% can drive to the rear wheel.

The Hybrid AWD drivetrain impressed me. In fact, Digital Trends rates the Toyota RAV4 as one of the best hybrid family SUVs available today.

The driving experience

The RAV4 AWD, which is based on a platform shared with the Camry on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), is not designed for extreme off-roading. This is probably not a surprise.

Still, his off-road skills are not pointless. Many RAV4 buyers choose the small SUV from Toyota over a Corolla or Camry because the RAV4 performs excellently under adverse conditions. The all-wheel drive system of the RAV4 is intended to strengthen driver confidence and is successful.

Toyota RAV 4 Hybrid XSELara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

If you hope to be off the beaten path, make no mistake. The RAV4 Hybrid AWD currently lacks ground clearance, tire capability and suspension for serious crawling.

The RAV4 Hybrid XSE is 8.1 inches above the ground. That's enough to handle most winter storms, but not enough to keep it away from jagged rocks on a path. The RAV4 is clearly best suited for people living in the city, as it no longer has to adapt to certain situations such as flooding or snowfall in the city.

When you're ready to spend a little more money, Toyota offers the Adventure model with a 8.6-inch ground clearance. However, you cannot buy the Adventure model with the hybrid powertrain. It will still have AWD, but it will work differently than the model I drove.

However, among its main competitors, the RAV4 is the one that stands out. The Honda CR-V is a well-known rival 7.1 inches from the ground, while the Chevrolet Equinox and Nissan Rogue are at least 7.9 and 7.4 inches, respectively. The only model that fits the adventure model is the Buick Envision, which is 8.6 inches above the ground. Other competitors like the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage have a ground clearance of 6.4.

Tires are also crucial in off-road conditions. The RAV4 Hybrid XSE has 18-inch all-season bikes that are covered with the Dunlop Grandtrek P20. These tires, like the rest of the RAV4 Hybrid XSE, can process some snow, but are not ideal for conditions with strong weather. In my off-road experience, the RAV4 had difficulties on an inclined gravel road – especially with the rear wheels.

Lara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

The rear independent suspension ensures better traction. Because of its electric motor in the rear, it supports the car on steep hills. The articulation is not bad, but lockers (an unusual feature) or descent control (which is more common) are missing.

When driving the RAV4 Hybrid XSE on an inclined gravel road, the rear wheels simply pull. In order to get out of this situation, I had to back up and accelerate several times. The RAV4 Hybrid XSE was better on flat roads, and although its distance is minimal, the few inches it can claim compared to a Camry are appreciated.

Design and style

I brought my sister with me to learn more about the comfort and cabin of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE. She is a busy woman and mother who works as an inventory analyst between 9 and 5. It was a feast for the eyes to drive with someone whose priorities are completely different from mine, and in between operations we put the SUV through its paces.

We agreed that the RAV4 also looks sporty in a hybrid look for a small SUV. We found that the RAV4 Hybrid is suitable for a young family like my sister's or for outdoor-loving singles who want a stylish but economical ride.

The RAV4 has really conquered our hearts with its bold front grille, accompanied by LED headlights and fog lights. Our tester also had a black body package with LED taillights, spoilers, double exhaust and a panoramic sunroof to improve the view of the street.

Some of these features, such as the sunroof, are optional, but the LED lights and double exhaust tips are standard. Steel wheels are the only low-cost exterior feature of the basic RAV4 LE, and all hybrid models are upgraded to alloy wheels.

Interior and comfort

Powered by a 2.5 liter 4 cylinder gearbox (CVT). The Toyota RAV4 is a quiet ride. You can speak or hear your favorite songs from the engine without much background noise. However, my sister Isabel has a 4 year old in the house and mentioned that she would prefer the RAV4 hybrid to make more noise.

The RAV4 is a great size for city life as it is not too big. My test model also had a large rear view camera with an overhead and 360 degree panoramic view, which made parallel parking in a narrow street much easier.

Lara-Carolina Fernandez / Digital Trends

Toyota offers one of the best entune infotainment on the market. A multimedia navigation system that provides satellite-based information on traffic, weather, sports results, stocks and many other functions. For $ 1,620, you get an 8-inch touchscreen with buttons and buttons, app integration like Apple CarPlay, and my sister's favorite, Wi-Fi connectivity.

Let's now compare RAV4's infotainment system with its long-standing rival: the Honda CR-V.

Hondalink's system is called Hondalink, but it's still not noticeable. The CR-V has a 7-inch display, only a volume control and no Wi-Fi connection. The appearance of the graphic display falls behind the Toyota Entune system, which has a striking 8-inch touchscreen display.

However, Entune is far from perfect. Android owners will not be enthusiastic about RAV4, as Toyota's infotainment only allows Apple CarPlay. This offers the CR-V an advantage as Hondalink supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

The cabin technology of the Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is not up to date, but the RAV4 does have a full suite of Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 features. This includes braking before a collision with pedestrian detection, lane departure alarm, automatic high beam and radar cruise control. Competitors like the CR-V from Honda and the Escape from Ford are on par with the Toyota system, but options like the Chevy Equinox and the Nissan Rogue retain all of their safety features for step-up models.

Should you buy it

As daughters of a car parts seller, my sister and I agreed on the total price, fuel consumption and the resale potential of the RAV4 XSE. For $ 38,294, you can enjoy the comfortable leather seats, a digital and analog instrument cluster, a wireless Qi charging pad, and USB chargers at the front and back.

The second row offers enough leg and head room for tall adults and has ventilation slots, but no air conditioning. The car also features an electric tailgate and a total loading capacity of 69.8 cubic feet once the rear seats have been folded down. That's at the top of the segment, although the Honda CR-V is slightly better at 75.8 cubic feet.

When comparing fuel consumption between hybrid and gas, the hybrid powertrain is worth the additional $ 1,400. The gas model gives you 25 miles per gallon in the city, 33 mpg on the highway and 28 mpg combined. The hybrid achieves excellent 41 mpg in the city, 38 mpg on the highway and 40 mpg together. You can easily make up for the costs of the hybrid upgrade over a period of five years.

The Toyota RAV4 is a practical car, family-oriented and suitable for anyone who needs a lot of space in a medium-sized vehicle. It's not the most exciting choice, but I can hardly fault the practicality of the RAV4.

Editor's recommendations




26 Feb
Blog

2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Review: This Classic Hybrid Is Now A Winter Warrior

2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e front three quarters

"The Toyota Prius 2020 is a reliable hybrid, but the competition is catching up."

  • Great gasoline performance

  • Practical packaging

  • Surprisingly, have fun driving

  • Well-coordinated drive train

  • Inconspicuous technology

  • Fussy brake pedal

  • No Android car

The Toyota Prius is the Levi jeans for hybrid cars. Since its introduction in 1997, the Prius has contributed a lot to the spread of hybrids and is often the standard choice. But the Prius is far from the only hybrid that's on sale today.

The competition now offers Prius alternatives to maximize fuel economy. More conventional cars are also available with hybrid drives, including popular Toyota models like RAV4, Corolla, and Camry. Is the car that puts hybrids on the map is still the best choice?

To find out, we spent a week with a 2020 Toyota Prius. While the Prius of the current generation has been around since model year 2016, Toyota has made some significant changes since then, including upgrades to the infotainment system and the addition of additional driver assistance functions.

2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-eStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

Our test car also had the optional all-wheel drive system (called Toyota AWD-e) that was added for the 2019 model year. While a front-wheel drive Prius L Eco is available from $ 25,280, our fully loaded all-wheel drive XLE test car had a sticker price of $ 31,005.

design

The largely unchanged exterior of the Prius since model year 2016 is unusual to say the least. The sinister face, bulbous profile, and bizarre taillights may look like they were accidentally designed, but they're actually the result of a number of conflicting priorities.

Prius second and third generation models had an egg-shaped hatchback shape that was distinctive, aerodynamic, and well suited for interior packaging. But it was also cool. Toyota tried to spice things up a bit for this generation. The Prius is still a hatchback, but looks more like a sedan. In order to make the car appear slimmer, the designers lowered the front end. Unusually shaped headlights and taillights highlight the Prius.

Toyota achieved low drag without affecting the interior.

However, the Prius doesn't look elegant or futuristic, and that's because other factors had to be considered. The designers still had to make the Prius as aerodynamic as possible to maximize fuel consumption. They also had to pack the bulky hybrid powertrain while offering a reasonable amount of passenger and cargo space. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but I think the Toyota design team has been pulled in too many different directions.

However, the design fulfills its functional goals. At 0.24, the Prius claims one of the lowest drag coefficients of any production car. That means it can slide through the air like a fish in the water and thus improve mileage.

2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-eStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

Toyota has achieved this without compromising the interior. The Prius has a comparable interior as other special hybrids such as Honda Insight, Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro. The Toyota even offers more cargo space than the Kia with a high roof. Behind the steering wheel, I appreciated the Prius' low beltline, which allows for a higher side glass. This improves the view to the outside and gives the cabin an open, airy feeling.

technology

Although Toyota is a leader in hybrid drives, Japan's largest automaker lags behind in other forms of automotive engineering.

At first glance, the interior looks futuristic and different. But once you get behind the wheel, you only get cheap plastic and an overwhelming infotainment system.

As with the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, Toyota placed the status indicator for the speedometer and hybrid system in the center of the dashboard for no apparent reason. Beneath these displays is a 7.0-inch touchscreen that controls most vehicle functions. The Prime's 11.6-inch screen isn't available on the standard Prius, but that's fine as we didn't see the point of the larger screen while driving the Prime. Toyota can hardly get the 7.0-inch screen to work.

As soon as you get behind the wheel, you only get cheap plastic and an overwhelming infotainment system.

While many Toyota vehicles will receive both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for the 2020 model year, the Prius is only available with CarPlay. Android users get stuck with Toyota's own user interface, which looks dated and reacts slowly. The setup is more complicated than the reduced interfaces in the Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro and chunkier than the more complex interface in the Honda Insight. The screen is washed out in the sunlight.

Our test car had a head-up display (part of a $ 800 technology package). The display only shows the current speed, but was easy to read without distracting.

Gas mileage

The infotainment system may be a flop, but Toyota has done it where it matters: under the hood. The Prius not only achieves good mileage, but also offers a comfortable driving experience that does not scare hybrid drivers the first time. The availability of all-wheel drive is an important bonus for car buyers in snowy regions.

The Prius uses a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that is connected to Toyota's well-known Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Typically, an electric motor helps the gasoline engine power the front wheels, but four-wheel drive models add a second motor in the rear. It sends power to the rear wheels without a physical connection to the front wheels.

Toyota has been using a similar setup for its hybrid crossovers for years. With the Prius, all-wheel drive is only used when the on-board computer determines that additional traction is required and only up to 60 km / h. We have not noticed a big difference to previous experiences with Priuses with front-wheel drive (Prii?), Which is not surprising since the all-wheel drive rarely drives normally.

The Prius offers a normal driving experience that doesn't frighten hybrid drivers the first time.

With our without four-wheel drive, the Prius has an output of 121 hp (Toyota does not specify any torque). While hybrid buyers are probably not looking for bragging rights, it's worth noting that the Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro both have 139 horsepower, while the Honda Insight has 151 horsepower. The acceleration felt reasonable and we were impressed with the seamless transition between gasoline and electrical energy.

2020 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e badgeStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

The Prius is based on the same TNGA (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform as many other Toyota models, including the Camry and Corolla. TNGA really pays off for the Prius and gives it a feeling of solidity that is normally not found in mass market hybrids.

Toyota also hit the chassis tuning. This car feels really nimble and fun, although numb steering and tires with low rolling resistance prevent it from being really sporty. The ride quality is good, although the suspension can cause unsettling bumps from the cab over broken roads. The brake pedal was also difficult to modulate, as the brakes only bite after the pedal has covered about three quarters of the way to the ground.

Gasoline Champion

The main reason to buy a hybrid is fuel consumption, and this is where the Prius lives up to the hype. Most front-wheel drive Prius models have a total output of 52 mpg (54 mpg city, 50 mpg highway), but the L Eco model together creates 56 mpg (58 mpg city, 53 mpg highway). These are impressive numbers. However, the competition is catching up.

The Hyundai Ioniq is rated at 58 mpg combined (57 mpg city, 59 mpg highway) in efficiency-oriented blue form and 55 mpg combined (55 mpg city, 54 mpg motorway) in other forms. The Honda Insight also comes close to the Prius, combined with 52 mpg (55 mpg city, 49 mpg highway). Even the Corolla Hybrid from Toyota has a total output of 52 mpg (53 mpg city, 52 mpg highway).

Four-wheel drive is associated with a petrol mile penalty. Our test car was rated at 50 mpg combined (52 mpg city, 48 mpg highway). We had an average of 44.5 mpg (according to the car's on-board computer) over most freeway journeys. Four-wheel drive typically reduces fuel efficiency because the additional hardware adds weight and energy is required to drive both sets of wheels.

Nevertheless, this is currently the best scenario for snow-capped fuel misers. The Prius is the only hybrid car in its price range with all-wheel drive. The only alternative is a larger, less aerodynamic Toyota RAV4 or Ford Escape – with much lower fuel consumption.

safety

The 2020 Prius comes standard with the Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), a bundle of driver aids that includes autonomous emergency braking, a lane departure warning, a lane departure warning and adaptive cruise control.

We found the lane departure warning system a little too sensitive. It beeped when we even approached lane markings like a nervous backseat driver. Conversely, the high beam came on only slowly after being immersed in oncoming cars.

Adaptive cruise control worked well, but because Toyota used the control stick of a more basic cruise control system, it was unnecessarily difficult to adjust. The Honda Insight offers a similar level of standard driver assistance technology, and Toyota doesn't have an equivalent to Honda's clever LaneWatch camera system.

The Prius is a top safety pick from the Insurance Institute for Road Safety (IIHS). Due to the "average" score for his headlights and the passenger crash test with small overlaps at the front, he missed the highest rating for Top Safety Pick + plus, but received the best possible score in all other categories. The Prius also received a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

2020 Toyota Prius AWD-e digital displayStephen Edelstein / Digital Trends

Toyota offers a three-year basic warranty of 36,000 miles and a five-year warranty of 60,000 miles for the powertrain. The battery and the components of the hybrid system are guaranteed for eight years and 100,000 miles.

Hyundai and Kia offer longer basic and powertrain warranties, but can't exceed Toyota's battery warranty. Both the Prius and Toyota generally have a reputation for reliability. Priuses have weathered hundreds of thousands of miles of exhausting taxi service in cities around the world, so this hybrid seems to be a pretty good choice when it comes to long-term reliability.

How DT would configure this car

My test car was a fully loaded XLE model, but if I were to spend my own money, I would choose the basic L Eco equipment. This version offers the best mileage of all Prius equipment variants and is also equipped with Apple CarPlay and the TSS-P package with driver aids. The XLE gets leather seats and is available with a head-up display, but I wasn't impressed enough with the execution of these subtleties to pay extra for it.

The L Eco isn't available with all-wheel drive, but the importance of this feature really depends on where you live. When brutal winters are the norm, all-wheel drive is a must. If you live somewhere with mild winters, it is better to drive with the more economical L Eco front-wheel drive.

A good choice, but not the best

The 2020 Toyota Prius is a good car. It is comfortable, practical and keeps the promise of excellent mileage. However, this is no longer the default selection.

With so many other hybrids on the market, the Prius compromises don't have to be accepted. The Honda Insight, Hyundai Ioniq and Kia Niro are all better to drive and not strange to be strange. The Toyota Corolla Hybrid delivers almost the same mileage as the Prius, but in a more conventional package.

Should you get one?

No – at least this is not our first or even second recommendation. The Prius is a trustworthy and reliable choice that is sure to be reliable. However, try the alternatives first.

Editor's recommendations




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