From Homely Hybrid to Hello, Hot Stuff

Blinded by fuel economy, we settled for an ugly Prius for too long.

- Joey Capparella

Slow and ugly no more, the Prius emerges as a stylish hybrid hatch with up to 220 horsepower while still promising the big mpg figures that made it famous.

Every new car aims to be quicker and better-looking than its predecessor, a low bar for the new 2023 Prius.

Being unattractive and underpowered was always the Prius's thing. That's not even meant as a knock against it-this car's priorities have been all about efficiency.

The Prius was a sales hit for many years and even won a C/D 10Best award in 2004. But with green-minded buyers now able to choose gasoline-free EVs, many of which are also fast and pretty, the quintessential mass-market hybrid needed a serious makeover.

Toyota has responded with a thoroughly reworked fifth-generation Prius that offers significantly more power, improved fuel economy, and new features, including solar panels and additional driver assist tech. And most shocking of all for the Prius is the remarkable head-turning design.