2016 Toyota Prius Revealed: 12 Things You Need to Know

Toyota has finally pulled the sheet off its all-new 2016 Prius out in Las Vegas, Nevada. Here’s everything you need to know about this highly anticipated hybrid.

1. Hybrid Heritage

For starters, this is the fourth generation of the car, which has been on the market for nearly two decades. Over that time, the company has sold some 3.5 million copies, saving countless gallons of gasoline and sparing untold tons of CO2 emissions.

2. New From the Ground Up

As you might expect, the 2016 Prius is built on a freshly engineered platform, Toyota’s New Global Architecture, TNGA for short. Surprisingly this is the first international product to ride atop said structure.

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3. Bigger and Better

As is the norm these days, this car has grown in a couple key dimensions, increasing in length by 2.4 inches and width by six-tenths of an inch, changes that should increase interior space for both passengers and cargo. However, this car’s overall height is down 0.8 inches.

4. Wishbones Aren’t Just For Thanksgiving

Enhancing its on-road dynamics, the 2016 Prius features an exotic-sounding double-wishbone rear suspension. Along with its more rigid structure, this chassis configuration should provide more feedback and ultimately higher levels of driver enjoyment, all without sacrificing ride comfort.

5. ICE, ICE Baby

Along with a fresh architecture and suspension, the 2016 Prius also sports a brand-new hybrid drivetrain. Details about these mission-critical components are scarce right now, but the car should sport a four-cylinder internal-combustion engine with a thermal-efficiency score of more than 40 percent!

6. Hella-Efficient Hybrid

The rest of its hybrid system will be lighter and more compact than the one found in today’s Prius. Additionally, the car will also benefit from a more energy-dense battery pack, which should increase its all-electric driving range and fuel economy.

7. Best-in-Class Efficiency

The result of these powertrain enhancements should be pretty impressive. According to Toyota representatives, the car will be at least 10 percent more efficient than today’s Prius, which already averages 50 miles per gallon, according to the U.S. EPA. This should translate into best-in-class economy and the highest MPG of any non-plug-in vehicle.

8. Eco FTW

But if that’s not enough, Toyota engineers are also developing an Eco version of the 2016 Prius. This variant promises to deliver even greater fuel efficiency, though there are no other details to share about this model right now.

SEE ALSO: Toyota Prius c Review

9. Color Us Surprised

Seven exterior colors will be offered on the new Prius. This palette includes a fresh hue called “Hypersonic Red.”

10. The 2016 Prius Won’t LED You Astray

Lighting the way, LED headlamps are standard on every model, as is more aggressive exterior styling and a more modern cabin.

11. Safety for All

Improving safety and easing drivers’ burdens, the new Prius will be one of the first vehicles to feature Toyota Safety Sense, a suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. This includes things like pre-collision braking, lane-departure warning and full-speed dynamic radar cruise control. This system should be offered across the company’s lineup by the end of 2017.

12. On Sale Soon

Toyota is a leader in hybrid technology. To date, the company has sold more than 8 million vehicles equipped with these fuel-saving drivetrains. The 2016 Prius promises to continue this trend. The car is scheduled to start arriving at dealerships early next year.

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