Toyota GR Prius: Design, Power, and Everything Else We Know About It

These past few years, the Prius has lost significant ground to Tesla's EVs, as it's no longer a constant presence in the garages of those who think they're saving the world by driving an 'eco-friendly' car. But even so, the nameplate has withstood the test of time, and the automaker based in the Land of the Rising Sun has constantly made it better. It is currently in its fifth generation, and we can dare to say that it's sexier than ever.

Beneath the eye-catching skin lies a very familiar platform: the TNGA-C. You will find it on cars such as the Corolla, Corolla Cross, C-HR, and Lexus UX, among others. This has allowed Toyota to keep the pricing in check, as while it may be a bit costlier than its predecessor, it remains an affordable product. The 2023 model starts at $27,450 with the hybrid and $32,350 with the plug-in hybrid (Prius Prime) powertrain, and if you feel like it deserves a bit more oomph than the former's 194 hp and the latter's 220 hp, then you should wait for the GR Prius to launch.

Exterior Design at a Glance and Interior Features

Previewed by the Prius 24h Le Mans Centennial GR Edition Concept at the Le Mans 24 Hours race in June of 2023, the Toyota GR Prius will borrow some of its sporty visuals to draw a line between it and the regular versions. We'd look for a honeycomb pattern on the lower grille, which should be bigger, an integrated apron, bulkier side skirts, a diffuser at the rear, and probably a wing, though not as big as the one of the study. It is likely that Toyota will give it extended fenders, bespoke alloys, and the usual GR logos on the outside, alongside maybe exclusive colors.

Inside, it should be business as usual, as it is believed to retain the overall layout of the regular models. Therefore, look for the same widescreen infotainment system on the dashboard and the digital dials mounted behind the steering wheel. However, the latter will likely be different, with an emphasis on the car's sportier nature, and the front seats with extra side bolstering will likely join it. We'd expect the two main displays to feature some exclusive sub-menus and probably load screens, and we think the company's designers will give it new upholstery and trim, perhaps with colorful stitching.

What About the Power?

Funny you should ask because the concept had the fuel filler cap on the left rear quarter panel. That's specific to the hybrid variant, but we think the production model will be based on the plug-in hybrid. After all, it makes sense to use the punchier assembly to come up with a sportier derivative, doesn't it? The exact output is unknown to anyone who's not directly involved in the project, but we think somewhere in the region of over 300 horses or a bit more is realistic.

This, combined with the improved aero and probably wider tracks signaled by the beefed-up fenders, will make it faster at the track and in a straight-line sprint. The brakes will likely be updated, and we expect it to feature some chassis enhancements that will bring the body closer to the road at the expense of comfort, as it should be a bit stiffer. We wouldn't hold our breath for it, but it could also feature a sporty exhaust system for a deeper tone, which could be sprinkled with fake engine noise.

When Should I Start Saving Up for It?

Sooner rather than later, obviously, and while there's no official release date yet, we think the car manufacturer based in the Land of the Rising Sun will probably introduce it sometime next year. Either that or an unveiling in 2025. As a result, Toyota's first-ever GR Prius, which will join other sporty GR-branded models in the company's lineup, could start hitting the showrooms in the United States of America, maybe for the 2025 or the 2026 model year. If we were to bet on it, we'd say it could launch as early as the second half of 2024. After all, Toyota still has a lot of things to deal with when it comes to its development, and they have to make sure that it's worthy of the GR name.

And since we mentioned the saving up part in the subtitle, we might as well mention the obvious, which is the fact that it will be more expensive than the current range-topper version of the Prius Prime. The XSE is an almost $40,000 affair (MSRP), and it might be a bit more expensive than the GR Supra, which kicks off at $45,540 for the 2024 model year.