2016 Toyota Prius 4 Touring – First Look and Review
There is much functionality that we’ll report on in an in-depth review but we found the head up display very useful as well as the Siri Eyes Free mode, which neatly integrates Apple iPhone technology with the car (although it’s nowhere near the integration one gets with Apple CarPlay-equipped vehicles).
The radar cruise control worked well and kept the car at the speed of the vehicle we were following, slowing down and accelerating as required. The electronically controlled CVT automatic transmission with planetary gears does an excellent job of dispatching power to the front wheels and the gasoline engine is hardly audible at cruising speeds. So much so that the cabin almost has a hushed tone to it. Toyota’s engineers must have had David Ogilvy’s 1958 Rolls Royce ad (“At 60 miles an hour the loudest noise in this new Rolls-Royce comes from the electric clock”) for inspiration.
Finally, the Toyota Spidey Sense, excuse me Safety Sense package offers driver assistance technology that will attempt to avoid collisions, keep the vehicle in its lane, and improve nighttime visibility.
Although my time behind the wheel wasn’t sufficient to get a full reading on fuel economy, EPA figures for the car include an average of 52 mpg (4.52 l/100 km) for the standard Prius, and 54 (4.36) for the Eco trim model.
BOTTOM LINE
If you were a fan of previous Prii, there’s no question you’ll love the 2016 Prius. If you were put off by its looks or handling, it’s time to revisit it, as it’s far more fun to drive, more fuel efficient, and better looking than ever before.
(Photos: Accura Media Group)
