Toyota Prius

With the proliferation of hybrid vehicles throughout the new-car market, the Prius’s appeal had been diluted by the early 2020s. Toyota took a radical approach with the car’s 2023 redesign — it made the Prius much sleeker, sexier and sportier. Front-wheel-drive models now produced 194 horsepower, and all-wheel-drive versions made 196 hp — a significant increase over previous generations. Fuel efficiency remained a strong suit, with the base model achieving an estimated 57 mpg combined. The dramatic new look and enhanced performance were aimed at broadening the car’s appeal beyond just traditional hybrid buyers, but it had downsides, as well. The new low-slung body shape significantly compromised interior space, with less headroom and cargo capacity compared to the outgoing model. 

Along with updated styling, the Prius grew for 2016, increasing cargo space. A new platform improved handling and ride. Though output from the carryover engine decreased slightly, fuel economy estimates increased to 54 mpg in the city and 50 mpg on the highway thanks to lighter hybrid components; an Eco version was even more efficient. Lithium-ion batteries were used on some variations.