Toyota Teases "Hybrid Reborn," Hints at Next-Gen Prius
So, what’s going on with the Toyota Prius? The mother of all hybrids is nearing the end of its fourth generation, sales are considerably down this year, and no 2023 model has been announced yet.
Is the company about to pull the plug? Since the introduction of the Corolla Hybrid, a lot of people have questioned the need for two gas-electric compact cars in the same lineup, and rightfully so, but it appears the Prius is not ready to die.
- Also: Study: Five-Year-Old Hybrids With the Highest Satisfaction Rate
- Also: The Prius' All-Wheel Drive System: How Does It Work?
Toyota has just posted some cryptic images on its Japanese social media channels ahead of a Nov. 16 debut—right before the start of the 2022 Los Angeles Auto Show. Two of them show the phrase “Hybrid Reborn,” hinting at a new take on an existing Toyota hybrid.
Naturally, the Prius comes to mind. The current generation is seven years old, one more than the previous two, and change is in order.
Another image reveals the silhouette of the new model. We definitely know it’s a car and not an SUV, plus the swooping roofline is similar to that of the Prius:
Unfortunately, the automaker did not give any more information. The Prius has always had polarizing looks and Toyota designers have a few tricks in their bag, as seen with the all-new Crown sedan. Based on the teasers, it seems like the iconic hybrid could share some cues with the fully electric bZ3 aimed at the Chinese market.
It will be interesting to see if the Prius continues with both regular hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants. Oh, and as previous reports have indicated, a hydrogen-powered combustion engine could be added to the lineup by mid-decade.
Come back on Nov. 16 for complete details about the so-called rebirth of the Toyota hybrid.