Does the 2023 Toyota Prius Have a Nice Interior?
The release of the newest Toyota Prius has taken the world by storm. An attractive and classy design has drawn attention from all corners of the automotive industry. Figures relating to its efficiency and horsepower keep you engaged past the initial good looks. With the allure of more power, incredible mpg, and even an AWD variant, the 2023 Toyota Prius will surely be a best seller. Not only has Toyota revamped the design overall, but they have paid particular attention to the interior.
Is the 2023 Prius Interior Nice?
With the exterior as captivating as it is, you would imagine it continues to the interior. Thankfully, even for those who weren’t fans of the Prius before, Toyota decided to take a cleaner and more elegant approach. MotorTrend spoke with Prius Chief engineer Satoki Oya, who explained that existing customers and Toyota dealers alike were already more than fine with the mpg numbers the Prius achieved; it was the perceived dullness of its styling that had gotten old for them. In addition, the sloping roofline makes for two inches less space on the inside. Toyota combats this with a well-planned layout of seating and storage options.
What Technology is Inside the 2023 Prius?
Although the front seats are spacious, rear passengers sacrifice some headroom. As a result, people over six feet will most likely have their heads touching the roof. Material quality throughout the interior is on the safer side, with a mixture of soft plastics and aluminum trim throughout. Base models keep the cloth upholstery, while top trims are wrapped in Toyota’s faux leather called SofTex. The gauge cluster is shared with the Toyota bZ4X and is the first Prius to have it mounted behind the steering wheel.
Moving the gauge cluster means space for more and larger screens in the 2023 Toyota Prius. For the base LE and XLE trims, you will find an 8.0-inch infotainment screen. Standard on the Limited and optional on the XLE is a massive 12.3-inch unit. Both systems come with AppleCarPlay and Android Auto as standard. The gauge cluster itself is a 7.0-inch display that has a plethora of information on it. A vertical wireless charging slot is standard on the higher trims. In addition, “Hey Toyota” is now baked into the Prius system to trigger virtual assistant car functions.
How Much Cargo Space Does the 2023 Prius Have?
There is a cut in cargo space for the new 2023 Toyota Prius. The Prius goes from the previous generation, 23.8 cu-ft, down to 20.3 cu-ft. Combining this with the subtraction of some rear headroom is the compromise for the attractive exterior design. For whatever reason, Toyota does not add a spare tire for any trim besides the base LE trim. Toyota does sweeten the deal with an available power liftgate option and neatly designed storage space on the left side of the trunk area.
A Welcomed Redesign of an Otherwise Hated Car
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Prius interior is a mix of emotions. The sleek design and added technology are well received, but the rear headroom and cargo space cut may be a deal breaker for some. However, in our eyes, all is forgiven, considering the striking look of the exterior. Packaging the Prius with nearly 200 horsepower and an optional all-wheel drive model has us excited to get behind the wheel of one.