The 2016 Toyota Prius left everyone in a state of awe with its extravagant design and the cutting edge technology when it made its debut in September last year in Vegas. It was introduced for the UAE markets by the official Toyota distributor, Al-Futtaim Motors on February 18, 2016.
The Toyota Prius 2016 is available in two variants: Toyota Prius Dynamic and Toyota Prius Iconic. The Iconic is the fully loaded range-topping version, and I got a chance to test drive it recently. Below are my findings.
Walk Around
Since the new Prius employs Toyota New Generation Architecture (TNGA), it is comparatively wider than the previous model and has a lower centre of gravity. Changed battery location and was moved right under the back seats which allow for more luggage s[ace in the trunk. The overall body structure maintains a bold design featuring 15-inch alloy wheels, a sporty front bumper, pretty aggressive LED headlamps, fog lamps and taillights. Some critics did not appreciate the exterior styling of the 2016 Prius, but to me, it is really unique and attractive.
Cockpit Impression
The inside of the new Prius is wonderfully designed boasting a black and white colour combination on the seats, front dash and doors. If you have driven the previous model, you will quickly judge that the 2016 model’s front dash is more convenient and flexible with the speedometer gauge and the 4.2-inch information cluster placed right in the centre. Another great thing I noticed is that a head-up display pops up during driving displaying some vital information.
The leather seats in the ‘Iconic’ variant are simply spectacular and feel comfortable. The rear seats can be split folded for an increased cargo space of 34.3 cu.ft.
Engine Specifications of 2016 Toyota Prius
The two variants of the Toyota Prius 2016 differ in terms of features, but both carry the same 1.8L 4-cylinder engine paired to electric motors which produce a total output of 121 horsepower.
Driving Dynamics Prius
Compared to its predecessor, the 2016 Prius is much easier to drive and smoother in terms of acceleration. Interestingly, the hybrid powertrain makes almost no noise even on high speeds. The new double-wishbone suspension system adapts well to the uneven and rugged road conditions and renders a sleek drive.
During my test drive, I was able to go from zero to 60 mph in about 9.9 seconds which is pretty impressive. Surely, it is not for racing. It consumed around 4 L to cover a distance of 100 kilometers, which means 40km/liter where as the old model consume 32.5 km/liter, almost 20% improvement , Pretty impressive, isn’t it?
Technological Overview
Being a modern hybrid vehicle, the 2016 Prius is loaded with the latest and advanced technological equipments. The centre console comprises of a 6.1-inch touch display along with an exclusive JBL 6 speaker audio system with Bluetooth connectivity, a built-in telephone system and wireless charging facility.
Safety Features
The safety features offered in the new Prius are some of the best I have seen lately in any car, which include side/curtain/knee SRS airbags, anti-lock braking system with brake assist, anti-theft system with immobilizer, blind spot monitoring system, rear cross traffic alert, child restraint system, cruise control, electronic brake distribution, rear parking sensors, rear view camera, tyre pressure monitoring system, vehicle stability control and traction Control. Seeing all these, I can carefully say, this is the safest Prius ever.
Dislike
In terms of interior features and exterior styling, the new Prius is top notch, but for the UAE horsepower-hungry motorists, the power train should have been at least touching the 3.0L mark. I also would recommend to reduce the use of plastic from the inside and replace it with more recycled materials.
Verdict
The 2016 Toyota Prius is an amazing hybrid car and definitely the best choice if you are looking for an economical and fuel efficient vehicle. It has everything you would require, from a decent performance to spacious interior, superb interior and safety facilities.
The 2016 Toyota Prius Dynamic variant starts at AED 89,900, while the 2016 Toyota Prius Iconic carries a price tag of AED 97,900.