2023 Toyota Prius vs 2022 Toyota Corolla

The 2022 Toyota Corolla had been on the market for a few years, with its current generation debuting in 2019 as a hatchback and in 2020 as a sedan. Toyota aimed to shed its reputation for blandness by giving the Corolla a bold exterior, featuring scowling LED headlights and a wide grille. However, it didn’t quite match the eccentricity of the Hyundai Elantra or the cohesive design of the Honda Civic. Different trim levels offered varied styling elements, with the SE and XSE models sporting an aggressive front fascia. The Nightshade Edition added blacked-out trim, while the Apex Edition featured a subtle body kit and unique wheels. Despite its attempts at a sporty appearance, the interior remained simple, with standard cloth upholstery and optional SofTex leatherette.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Prius received a complete makeover, finally offering a stylish design that had been missing from the lineup. The new Prius boasted a sleek exterior with a blend of curves and edges, giving it a futuristic look. The wheels were pushed further into the corners, enhancing both handling and aesthetics. The car was longer, lower, and wider than its predecessor, with 19-inch alloy wheels standard on the XLE and Limited models in Canada. Inside, the Prius featured high-quality materials and a solid feel, with a pair of screens beside the driver’s seat and a dashboard-mounted infotainment screen. The cabin prioritized function over form, offering a comfortable space for occupants.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered two engine options. The L, LE, and XLE models came with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder engine producing 139 horsepower and 126 pound-feet of torque. The SE and XSE models featured a 2.0-litre engine with 169 horsepower and 151 pound-feet of torque. The Apex Edition shared this engine but included a sport exhaust system. A CVT was standard with the smaller engine, while the 2.0-litre engine offered a six-speed manual or a CVT with paddle shifters. The Apex Edition had a sportier suspension, enhancing handling but compromising ride quality. Despite its sporty aspirations, the Apex Edition lacked significant performance upgrades.

The 2023 Toyota Prius introduced a new 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine paired with a more powerful electric motor and lithium-ion battery, delivering 196 total horsepower in AWD models. This was a significant improvement over the previous model’s 121 horsepower. The Prius achieved impressive fuel economy ratings of 4.8 litres per 100 kilometres in city driving. It felt more athletic and responsive, with improved acceleration and handling. The revised suspension and longer wheelbase contributed to its agility, while road and wind noise were well isolated. The brakes had a minor squishiness typical of hybrids, but overall, the Prius provided a comfortable and engaging driving experience.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla offered decent headroom and legroom, similar to the Honda Civic. However, the steeply raked windshield affected forward visibility. The driver’s seat was positioned for optimal comfort, but taller drivers might find knee space lacking. The Corolla provided 371 litres of cargo space, less than competitors like the Civic and Sentra. The interior design limited storage space for smaller items, with a thin centre console and shallow cupholders.

The 2023 Toyota Prius, despite its larger exterior, had slightly reduced interior dimensions. Headroom decreased due to the sloping roofline, but legroom improved. The cabin featured SofTex leatherette upholstery, with heated front seats and a heated steering wheel standard in Canada. The Limited trim included a fixed glass roof, enhancing the cabin’s openness. Cargo space decreased to 575 litres, and rear visibility was somewhat hampered. The cabin offered practical storage solutions, including a wireless charging pocket and USB-C ports.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla’s infotainment system was starting to show its age. A 7-inch touchscreen was standard on the base model, while other trims received an 8-inch screen. Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth were standard, but the interface felt dated compared to competitors. The Corolla lacked wireless connectivity for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and didn’t offer advanced tech features like a digital key.

The 2023 Toyota Prius featured an 8-inch touchscreen on XLE models, with a 12.3-inch screen standard on the Limited trim. The larger screen was responsive and intuitive, though navigation required a subscription. A 7-inch digital instrument cluster provided information, albeit in a somewhat cluttered manner. The Prius included six USB-C ports, wireless charging on the Limited trim, and an 8-speaker JBL audio system. Subscription-based connectivity bundles offered additional features like remote access and cloud navigation.

The 2022 Toyota Corolla received top safety ratings, including an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” award and a five-star overall rating from NHTSA. It featured eight airbags and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring was available from the LE trim.

The 2023 Toyota Prius came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, offering advanced features like radar-based adaptive cruise control, pre-collision braking, and lane-tracing assist. Proactive Driving Assist used radar and cameras to detect obstacles and adjust speed accordingly. The Prius also included stability control, traction control, and eight airbags. The Limited trim offered hands-free automatic parking. The Prius earned an IIHS “Top Safety Pick+” rating.