2023 Toyota Prius Highlights New Design Aesthetic [Photos]

Vehicle Research•Photos 16•November 22, 2022

Auto shows might be in search of a new raison d’etre post-pandemic, with fewer new reveals, pared down exhibits, and overall lack of foot traffic apparent in shows across the country.

The Los Angeles Auto Show is a case in point — the 25 world debuts in 2018 have dwindled to only five in 2022. But LA is still the largest EV market in the U.S., and the show seems to be finding its niche as a showcase for the latest electrified models, particularly from Asian manufacturers.

This November’s big reveal in LA was the 2023 Toyota Prius, marking an important transformation of the hybrid model that started it all.

The Prius’s latest iteration is part of a trend in the design of sedans and crossovers, the model types at the center of the electric action from hybrids to plug-in hybrids and pure electrics. Check out the Prius and other new models pushing the design envelope in the gallery.

Topics:2023-MY LA Auto Show Auto Shows New Vehicles Vehicle Research

The styling of the 2023 Toyota Prius bears no resemblance to the previous years, and that’s welcome news for fleet managers. Drivers may opt for the Prius because of its good looks and get-up-and-go, not as a sober compromise in favor of fuel economy.
Photo: Chris Brown

Cadillac's first-ever EV, the 2023 Lyriq, breaks new ground in Cadillac styling.
Photo: Chris Brown

The Cadillac Lyriq gets a small rear spoiler to minimize wind resistance.
Photo: Chris Brown

The Genesis X is still just a concept, but according to Genesis execs on the floor the brand doesn't stray too far in actual production design. The X is flat-out gorgeous.
Photo: Chris Brown

The 2024 Hyundai Elantra hybrid design continues the trend in the rear light-bar theme.
Photo: Chris Brown

The Kia EV6 was introduced in North America in the 2022 model year. Kia's first EV model and the first of Kia's new design aesthetic, the EV6 gets cross-body lighting treatment.
Photo: Chris Brown

Nissan Ariya breaks from the practical LEAF compact into the hottest EV category, entry-level luxury crossover.
Photo: Chris Brown

Can the U.S. market support another electric passenger car maker — from Vietnam? We’ll know soon enough, as VinFast moves closer to volume U.S. sales next year. The first two models, the midsize VF 8 SUV and larger VF 9 are first out of the gate, with two more planned for later next year, including the VF 7 (pictured). A thin front light bar is an EV trend.
Photo: Chris Brown

Is the VW ID Buzz a fleet vehicle? Well, the retro microbus is a people mover. The LED headlights feature a light bar that meets the large VW emblem in the middle, and the thin taillights stretch all the way across the rear. It’ll get its U.S. reveal in 2023.
Photo: Chris Brown

The stance of the 2023 Prius leans into the sports sedan aesthetic.
Photo: Chris Brown

The Prius had been stuck at 121 horsepower since the 2015 model year. The newest model has 194 hp, and still achieves 57 mpg — topping the last model’s 56 mpg. Who said we’d exhausted improvements in gas engines, at least those paired with small electric motors?
Photo: Chris Brown

The 2024 Chevy Equinox EV will launch in fall 2023. GM is positioning this as “an affordable EV” with a targeted base price of $30,000 MSRP.
Photo: Chris Brown

The mid-level Chevy Equinox EV LT trim gets a unique light bar and available two-tone paint.
Photo: Chris Brown

The front of the 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 features LED headlamps with 256 Parametric Pixels.
Photo: Chris Brown

The Parametric Pixels are even more prominent in the rear lighting display. .
Photo: Chris Brown

With EVs’ heavier weight, much of the styling centers on optimizing airflow and minimizing drag. Such is the case with the Hyundai Ioniq 6, which arrives in early 2023.
Photo: Chris Brown