With the new Prius set to go on sale shortly, Toyota has opened up the build and price tool so consumers can take a detailed look at what might be their next car. Of course, this is also a fabulous way to burn a few minutes, so you best believe that I’ve been fiddling around with the configurator. Without further ado, here’s how I’d spec a 2023 Toyota Prius.
While it’s easy to go crazy and spec out a loaded Limited model with all the trimmings, the XLE is likely the pick of the range. Sure, it loses out on the JBL premium audio system and ventilated seats, but it’s $3,570 cheaper to start. That’s a good chunk of change, one you could buy a really cool project car with. Plus, it’s actually a good thing to be missing some of the features you’d find as standard on the Limited trim. While models with the 12.3-inch touchscreen feature volume knobs mounted to the right of the touchscreen, the standard eight-inch screen in the XLE gets a volume knob to the left of the screen, which should be within easy reach of the driver. Oh, and I think I’ll pass on the power liftgate too, as it’s hard to beat the speed and reliability of a manual one.
Alright, so that’s trim level sorted, what about drivetrain? Well, Canadians like me will only be able to buy all-wheel-drive models, but since we’re playing with the American configurator, I reckon that front-wheel-drive is more suited to the Prius’ mission. Sure, the front-wheel-drive Prius isn’t as quick as the all-wheel-drive model and it won’t have quite the same snow traction, but it gets an extra few MPG and is $1,400 cheaper. Now that’s money in your pocket.
Mind you, I’m about to take that money right back out again with a few extra charges, the first of which is the lovely Supersonic Red paint. While it can’t match Mazda’s Soul Red Crystal for depth and dynamic character [Editor’s Note: I’m gonna get Thomas drunk and make him explain to me what “dynamic character” means in the context of red paint – JT], it’s worth the $495 upcharge simply to get a cheery color. Thankfully, the light gray interior is free, which should brighten up the cabin a bit.
Speaking of brightening the cabin up, I’d most certainly pop for the fixed glass roof. Center of gravity be damned, there’s nothing quite like an extra bit of light on a dull day to make you feel better as you sip a cappuccino in the parking lot of a coffee shop. This $1,000 option may be a bit pricey, but I feel like it’s worth the money.
Right, factory options done, let’s move on to accessories. The all-weather floor liner package which includes lipped rubber floor mats and a rubber cargo liner seems absolutely worth it for $299. That’s cheaper than what Weathertech charges for a similar setup for the old Prius, so it seems like the dealer parts counter is your best bet here. While Toyota offers dealer-installed paint protection film, I think I’ll go to a trusted local installer for that, just for the peace of mind in having it done right with the film I want.
All this fiddling about with the options list results a Prius that comes to $33,784 including a $1,095 freight charge. While $1,450 in factory options and $299 in accessories may sound a bit frivolous, it’s still quite reasonable compared to what a comparably-equipped all-wheel-drive model would cost, never mind a Prius Limited. I’m curious to see how you’d spec a new Prius, so hop on this link and let me know in the comments what trim level, colors, and options you’d go for.
(Photo credits: Toyota)
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Why does the LE get better gas mileage than the XLE?
The XLE trim has larger wheels which accounts for the loss in mpgs from the LE trim
Can anybody comment on the daily use effectiveness of camera-based rearview
Mirrors? How about the 360 view cam view?
The self parking feature of the 2016 gen 4 was entertaining but disappointingly sketchy/untrustworthy
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This redesign seems like it will have a negative effect on sales for functional uses; couriers, Uber, cabs, no?
Wonder what whip will pick up the slack?
Honestly, I thought the camera-based rearview mirror was the dumbest gimmick when I first heard of them. However, after now owning a 2022 Toyota Tundra for 6 months, I can say it’s one of my most used features in the vehicle. You can adjust the angle of the camera up and down, the brightness, and the zoom for width of the rearward view. It comes in handy when I have items in the cabin or bed blocking my rearview. I drive a lot of people around so it’s also helpful then because you get a full view of the rear without 3 heads blocking the standard mirror. And if you don’t like the camera, you can always flip the switch to use the standard mirror. At night, it comes in handy too if you want to further dampen the brightness from the headlights of the cars behind you. I use the camera 90% of the time. I use the standard mirror when I have the panoramic roof open because the glare on the rearview mirror screen can be bad when it’s in direct sunlight.
I’m late to the party. I just found it odd that the images included in this the configurator don’t include the front plate tumor.
…that’s like $3K off of a base GR Corolla’s MSRP, man.
I’M JUST SAYING!
Ventilated seats are worth having. I just wish I could get them without the glass roof. That seems counterproductive to me
As an owner of a ’20 AWD LXE, I configured a like vehicle. I like what I have, so . . .
I have also owned a 2G Prius and I live in occasional snow-country and head up to Tahoe to frolic in the snow.
Any 2WD Prius is less than useless in the snow. It actively tries to stop you from driving. The way it protects itself when one wheel slips is to hit the brakes.
The AWD version is a delight and behaves wonderfully in the snow. The price difference is not much, and well worth it.
I briefly owned the ’20 non-AWD LXE version and the ride in the AWD is better, chiefly due to having real tires, not low profile ones.
There aren’t any cool colors available on it, and no more Prius V wagon version either 🙁
The fixed glass roof is fucking lame. Why not a sunroof that actually opens?
Agree. I like the breeze from the sunroof, not the light coming in from above. So the fixed glass roof is just “who cares”. I planned to get a sunroof on my next car, so the lack of even the option here is disappointing.