2023 Toyota Prius

Yes, it's gorgeous. But what else?

- ZACH GALE

The Prius isn’t what it used to be—and thank goodness for that. For 2023, the automaker that popularized the hybrid has reinvented its pioneering gas-electric hatchback, nearly two decades after the second-generation model became our Car of the Year. In the interim, the Prius has gradually faded into the background as Toyota added a hybrid version of just about every model in its lineup. But thanks in large part to its fabulous new looks and delivery of far more power than you’d expect from a 50-mpg car, the Prius is back at center stage. And for the most part, it deserves its latest star turn.

Go ahead, take a minute to sweep your eyes over the photos. The new car’s styling is far cleaner and more striking from stem to stern, and it looks just as good in person as it does here. Although its coefficient of drag has taken a couple steps backward, the end result is a design that customers old and new might actually desire.

Of course, how well the new Prius drives is arguably more important than its looks, and Toyota also delivers on that front. Power levels have risen from “Why is everyone in such a hurry?” to “Passing that truck is no problem,” and anyone who has driven any prior Prius will feel the difference. With 194 total system horsepower for front-drive models and 196 for all-wheel-drive variants, Toyota has nearly hit the sweet spot in balancing power and efficiency. On the road, the new Prius delivers enough acceleration to satisfy pretty much everyone, save those who crave the instant torque sensation of an all-electric car.