During the Los Angeles International Auto Show, MotorTrend awarded the 2024 Toyota Prius the Car of the Year. This is the second time the Prius has received the prize, the previous being in 2004.
The Toyota Prius has long been criticized for emphasizing affordability and efficiency above design and performance. When the first-generation Prius debuted in the United States in 2000, it permanently altered the automobile industry. The Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. Toyota Prius is making headlines once again as MotorTrend’s Car of the Year, more than two decades later.
The Prius was named car of the year by MotorTrend magazine, highlighting the vehicle’s “astounding transformation.” The 2023 model year makeover gave it a sleek new appearance and under-the-hood changes to match. With a combined fuel efficiency of 57 mpg, the upgraded model is the most fuel-efficient in the vehicle’s 23-year history.
The Prius comes in LE, XLE, and Limited trim levels and is loaded with extras and technology such as the Toyota Audio Multimedia Audio system and Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 as standard. The front-wheel drive variant is powered by the fifth generation Toyota Hybrid System and a 2.0L engine, producing 194 horsepower. The output rises to 196 HP for cars equipped with the optional Electronic On-Demand AWD system.
In MotorTrend’s annual survey of the most competent, desired, and capable vehicles to launch for the 2024 model year, the Prius fought against top challengers. MotorTrend editors put the Car of the Year contenders through their paces both on and off the track as part of the evaluation process. The Prius beat the Hyundai Ioniq 6, Lucid Air, Tesla Model 3 Highland, among other 2024 cars. The Genesis G90 premium vehicle won last year.
