5 things to know about the new 2019 Toyota Prius AWD-e

As expected, Toyota has added a version trimmed for the harsh Canadian climate of the Prius. Called Prius AWD-e 2019, this new variant is a nice surprise from a model whose only mission is to record an exemplary fuel consumption. Here's what you should know about the most agile Prius in the snow.

competitors

Honda Insight, Chevrolet Volt, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Kia Optima Hybrid.

Fuel consumption increases somewhat

Full wheeling also means that fuel consumption is higher. The good news is that this increased motricity is not dramatic once at the pump. Toyota reports an average of 4.5 L / 100 km in the city, 4.9 L / 100 km on the highway and 4.7 L / 100 km in combined mode. These results are very good considering that the front-wheel drive Prius averages 4.4 L / 100 km in the city, 4.6 L / 100 km on the road and 4.4 L / 100 km in the combined mode.

A complete electric wheel

The Prius AWD-e 2019 does not use a transfer case, or propeller shaft to move the rear wheels of the car. No, Toyota engineers have instead implemented an additional electric motor on the second axle, the latter running from 0 to 10 km / h, but also up to a speed of 70 km / h if the situation allows. Toyota has obviously thought of making this system intelligent. In other words, whenever the road conditions are favorable, the car will only use the front wheel drive.

A wiser design

If there is one element that was not unanimous since the arrival of this third generation of the model, it is the design. For this mid-course redesign, the most recognized hybrid of the planet is redrawn at both ends, the main changes being focused on the optical blocks and position lights.

Serial security

As is the case for most Toyota models, the Japanese automaker has a series of Safety Sense P safety features on all liveries, a further argument for this winter-adapted Prius.

65% of Prius sales in Canada?

The Canadian division strongly believes that this four-wheel drive livery will grab 65% of the sales in the country, a plausible statistic, especially if the price is good. We'll see in a year or two.

Our opinion

Of course, this new all-wheel drive variant is not likely to spice up the green car's performance, but the fact that the automaker has thought about adding that increased traction to its Prius line is great news for Canadian consumers.