What is the Prius?
Fresh off one of the biggest and most stunning redesigns in recent history, the Toyota Prius remains one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles on sale today. Underneath all of that new style is a new powertrain that's considerably more powerful than the previous model (75 more horses, to be exact) yet maintains the Prius' tradition of fuel frugality. Depending on the model, the Prius delivers between 49 and 57 mpg. And, on top of all that, the Prius is decidedly better to drive and offers a far more traditional and user-friendly interior layout compared to the outgoing version.
With such a major redesign still visible in the rearview mirror, it's safe to say that Toyota isn't likely to make any major changes to the 2024 Prius. But there is one rumor that's got everyone's attention. Toyota is reportedly working on a high(er)-performance version of the Prius, which could be known as the GRMN (Gazoo Racing Meister of the Nurburgring) Prius. The reports originated with Japanese outlet Best Car, which said the Prius Prime, the plug-in version of the Prius (which we cover in a separate review), would be the starting point for this sportier Prius. All of this has yet to be confirmed. If it's true, though, some of the performance enhancements, like a stiffer suspension and sport-themed styling and interior touches, could make their way to the standard Prius.
While we like the idea of a truly fun-to-drive Prius, even though we're still struggling to get our heads around it, it remains to be seen if more efficiency-minded motorists will accept a more athletic version of the Prius. If a more conventional hybrid is more your speed, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, Kia Niro and even Toyota's own Corolla Hybrid remain economical options.