Toyota Prius - Interior, design & technology
The design of the Prius is a step on from previous models with a focus on aerodynamics
The Toyota Prius is more expensive and upmarket than ever, and while the interior doesn’t have the visual flair of the bodywork, it’s still smart. Among the paint colours available are bright red and a fetching yellow, but the rest of the options are a bit dull.
What is the Toyota Prius like inside?
Once onboard, some might find the positioning of the seven-inch driver’s display up high on the dash to be a little odd, but it works well in practice. The steering wheel (which is wrapped in especially squidgy leather) is low enough for the screen to be easily readable, although the layout is a little cluttered with too much information in a confined space.
Below a large landscape central touchscreen, you’ll find a row of toggle switches for the climate control settings. We generally prefer rotary controls in cars, but having a bank of switches is still better than the touchscreen-only controls found in most rivals, simply because they are easier to access while driving.
The Toyota’s low-slung roof and steeply raked windscreen mean you sit a long way from the scuttle, resulting in a very long dashboard and a windscreen that seems very distant. Visibility isn’t great as a result, and while it’s not difficult to see out, it takes some getting used to, as does the fiddly driving display.
What is the interior quality like?
Toyota is known for its quality, and the Prius is true to form. Our test car had no rattles, and while we wouldn’t describe the materials used to be as plush as in some rivals, there are no surfaces that look out of place in a car of this price point. The only detail that might let the side down is a tinny sound when closing the door, but once inside, the interior is a pleasant place to be that feels like it should last well.
Sat-nav, stereo and infotainment
The 12.3-inch touchscreen on the dash is where most of the tech can be found, and it’s a responsive unit with clear menus and a modern-looking layout. There’s wireless Apple CarPlay an Android Auto, as expected, plus built-in navigation, and it’s easy to use. There’s also a row of climate-control switches, which is good to see, and although there’s no wireless charging available, there are six USB ports in the Prius, including ones for rear passengers.
