Revealed at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show, the facelifted Toyota Prius is due in Australia in April 2019. Featuring newly-streamlined styling to make the car appear more modern to buyers, the facelifted Prius is much more attractive to look at than before.
Now offering all-wheel drive for western markets – it was previously available in Japan – though not for Australia, the Prius’ practicality has been enhanced for markets that feature snow, such as North America or Europe. Toyota Australia has confirmed the new Prius for local sales in April 2019.
According to the brand, “the fourth-generation Prius, launched in March 2016, was the first car equipped with a Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.”
“It has been praised for its impressive driving dynamics, excellent ride comfort, low centre of gravity and significantly increased body rigidity.”
A mid-life facelift, rather than an all-new model, the 2019 Toyota Prius changes the previous model’s fussy styling for a more modern and stylish look, with swept back headlights appearing more aggressive than before. According to the brand, the bi-LED headlights offer a wider field of illumination for superior night time driving, and the front and rear bumpers have been streamlined for a more stylish look.
New tailights feature at the rear with again less fussiness, revised LED internals and a more horizontal look for a wider stance. Restyled alloy wheels also feature – 17-inch alloy units on the up-spec i-Tech model and 15-inch caps on the base model.
The interior of the facelifted Prius has also been revised for a new look, with slimmer air vents, an updated 7.0-inch touchscreen with pinch and flick gestures familiar to smartphone users. Mechanical changes aren’t expected, with the Australian-spec model continuing with a 90kW 1.8-litre petrol engine and electric motor combination.
To be offered again in two specification points, a base model dubbed Prius and the top model called i-Tech, the updated Prius will offer a high standard of standard equipment such as a JBL sound system, the company’s Safety Sense active safety technology with AEB, lane departure warning, automatic high beam headlights and active cruise control. The i-Tech will likely add leather upholstery, blind spot monitoring with rear traffic alert and 8-way power adjustment for the driver’s seat.
The updated Toyota Prius is due in Australia in April 2019, with local pricing and specifications to be announced before then.
Stay tuned to Chasing Cars for more news from the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show.