It now continues into the 21st century with a sporty chassis tune and evocative styling

The Toyota Prius represents a watershed moment for the brand.

Launched in 1997 as the world’s first hybrid vehicle, it ushered in a new era of electrification in the automotive industry.

Adopted by everyone from former Australian prime ministers to Hollywood’s best comedians, the Prius remained unashamedly Japanese despite being a world-market car.

Now, however, its design is worthy of an award. Where the original looked clumsy, the all-new, third-generation Prius now looks great. The styling has identity and emotion, despite maintaining the same unique aerodynamic silhouette as the first generation.

The deeply scalloped sections on its side make it look sporty and slippery, and its flowing roofline also looks fast. Its inherent chassis design is sporty too, with a sophisticated suspension arrangement enabling engaging driving dynamics.

Toyota pitches the car as fun to drive, and the suspension does feel firmer than you’d guess. There’s plenty of technology too, like air-conditioned leather seats with two-position memory, a huge infotainment screen with smartphone integration, and wireless phone charging too.

With decent handling, incredible reliability, and a minimal fuel bill—3.5 litres of fuel for every 100 km travelled—the 2023 Toyota Prius is genuinely worth considering.