What's New For the 2019 Toyota Prius?

Toyota has updated the Prius for 2019 with a new exterior as well as new trim levels. They are even offering an optional all-wheel drive version for the first time which will please drivers in the snow belt. The previous Prius had a futuristic exterior, but Toyota has softened this look in order to compete with their fuel-efficient competitors. It now has gentle angles where the headlights come in contact with the hood, curved air intakes, and new horizontal tail lights rather than ones that appear to climb the sides of the car. The all-wheel drive Prius is distinguishable from the standard options by unique two-tone 15-inch wheels and an AWD-e badge.

The interior of the 2019 Prius has remained much the same. Toyota has made sure that the necessary hardware for an all-wheel drive system doesn't cut into the interior room. The all-wheel version is powered by Toyota's AWD-e system. This system relies on an electric motor to provide power to the rear wheels as needed until reaching a speed of 43 mph. This set-up is lighter in weight than a traditional all-wheel drive system due to the lack of a driveshaft and differential.

Also found in the all-wheel drive version is a new nickel-metal-hydride battery rather than Prius' lithium battery used in front-wheel drive versions. This newly designed battery was created by keeping in consideration the challenges that cold weather can bring. It is found tucked away under the rear seat.

Which Trims and Features are Available on the 2019 Prius?

Toyota has done away with the Prius trim levels One, Two, and Three in favor of more conventional names to the Toyota line such as L, LE, and XLE. All three include front wheel drive with the LE and the XLE available in all-wheel drive. You can expect a combined 54 miles per gallon in all trims except for the XLE which comes in with a slightly higher rating of 56 mpg. Horsepower and the trans remain the same across the board, and all trims have eight exterior colors available.

Some of the top features found on the 2019 Prius include keyless entry and ignition, daytime running lights, LED headlights and taillights, and 15-inch wheels. Inside you will discover an infotainment system that comes standard with a 6.1-inch touch screen, a smart flow climate control system, a USB and auxiliary port, hands free phone capability and music streaming with Bluetooth connectivity, and voice recognition controls.

Toyota Prius Delivers Good Performance and High MPG

The 2019 Prius is designed with superb economy in mind. The Prius L, the most frugal trim level, gives you an estimated 58 miles per gallon in the city with 53 mpg on the highway. As with previous versions of the Prius, the vehicle relies on a 1.8-liter non-turbo four-cylinder as well as an electric boost from two individual electric motors. This gives you a total of 121 horsepower.

Toyota Prius Safety Features

Toyota's Safety Sense P suite of features is found on all of the Prius vehicles. It includes lane departure warning, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, and lane keeping assist. While driving on the highway, the standard adaptive cruise control maintains a safe distance between you and the other cars.

Visit our dealership in Houston to test drive the amazing Prius today!