2011 Toyota Prius 1.8 Hybrid CVT (136 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Toyota unveiled the European and updated version of the third generation of the Prius at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, and the new version came with significant interior and technical improvements.

In Europe, Toyota Prius faced fierce competition from other carmakers who offered fuel-efficient turbo diesel engines for similarly-sized vehicles. In addition, customers required more high-tech features from such an advanced-engineered car. As a result, Toyota had to adapt and introduce an upgraded car version in 2011. At the same time, it tried to bump the sales figures despite the increased price over its direct competitors with non-hybrid drivetrains. The Japanese automaker sold 200,000 units between 2009 and 2011 in Europe, and some of its customers came from other brands. As a result, the 2011 Prius tried to impress buyers and keep them storming the doors of Toyota’s dealers.

From the outside, there were no significant changes to the car, albeit some were still easy to notice. Up front, the Xenon headlights were available for most grades. In addition, the 2011 Toyota Prius featured standard fog lamps installed in the lower part of the bumper, underneath the daytime running lights. Between them, Toyota installed a broad and rectangular air intake in the apron, while the upper grille was narrow and wide.

From its profile, the steep hood for a compact-sized sedan was continued by the car’s panoramic windshield. A curved roof line and a Kamback-styled rear end completed the image for this aerodynamic vehicle. In addition, the car came fitted with standard alloy wheels across the range, albeit their 15-inch size was nothing to write home about. Still, customers could opt for a 17-inch set that sweetened the deal. Toyota provided the car in eight colors, depending on the grade.

Inside was carefully crafted to fit European customers’ demands. The dashboard and door cards were covered by hard-plastic elements made from recycled materials, but that didn’t bother the Prius’ customers too much. On the other hand, the standard comfortable seats were available with velour or, as an option, man-made leather (SofTex) upholstery. Out back, the flat bench seat was wide enough to fit three adults, and there was just a tiny bump on the floor so that the middle-seated occupant had enough legroom at their disposal. The headroom was also suitable for most people. Behind, the large trunk featured an underfloor storage area. Toyota offered the European Prius a comprehensive package that included seven airbags, ESP, and ABS. In addition, the multi-information display that sat atop the dashboard, closer to the windshield, featured a color display that showed data about the hybrid drivetrain. Atop the center stack, a 6.5-inch touchscreen was standard for most grades, while the top-spec version had a seven-inch one and a head-up display. The golf-club-like shifter from the center console looked neat and easy to use.

Under the hood, Toyota placed a 1.8-liter naturally-aspirated gasoline engine that ran in the Atkinson cycle. It was more efficient than the regular Otto cycle used on most spark-ignited powerplants. It was mated with an electric motor in a parallel system. Depending on the conditions, the car could run on gasoline, electricity, or both. Another improvement over the previous generation was the advanced eCVT (electronically-controlled CVT). In addition, the 2011 Prius was available as a plug-in hybrid. Unlike the regular Prius, it was fitted with a Li-Ion battery that ensured an EV range of 23 km (14 miles).