By NITISH S. RELE – motoringflorida@gmail.com

Hats off to the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car as the hatchback celebrates its 25-year anniversary next year in the United States. That’s right, the practical, nimble and most importantly fuel-efficient Toyota Prius will celebrate a milestone and deserves accolades, plenty of them. And the Karashi (yellow) introduced in 2025 in the new Nightshade trim makes the affordable and sleek ride not just gorgeous but appealing like never before. A standout, indeed! 

After an overhaul in 2023, the Prius continues with the same responsive powertrain: 2.0-liter inline-4 cylinder engine producing a decent 194 horsepower @ 6000 rpm and 139 pounds-feet of torque @ 4400 rpm. It is aptly swift, sprinting from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds, not bad! Power reaches the wheels via a crisp-shifting continuously variable transmission. Our all-wheel drive Prius was equipped with two electric motors, front and rear, assisted by a lithium-ion battery. The independent MacPherson strut front and multilink rear suspension retains the status quo along with an electric power steering. It operates in custom, normal, sport and eco modes as well as EV, which is electric at lower speeds of up to 25 mph.

The fifth-gen hatchback is one heck of a blacked-out ride, thanks to Nightshade edition, which entices you with the front grille, badging, bumper, door handles, side window trim, door sills, shark fin antenna and even alloy wheels – all in black! Directly in the driver’s view is the 7-inch gauge cluster with digital speedometer, energy/fuel monitor and hybrid system indicators. Atop the dashboard, sprinkled generously with carbon-fiber detail sits a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen display for audio and phone controls with a volume button (thank you, Toyota!). The heated eight-way power driver and six-way front-passenger manual synthetic leather seats are comfy and inviting. Other standard goodies include a single auto a/c, heated tilt/telescopic steering wheel, push-button start, 60/40 rear seat, six USB-C ports, wireless phone charger and six speakers.

Standard safety features are dual front airbags, side curtain airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, stability and traction controls, smart stop technology, blind spot and rear-cross traffic alerts, rearview camera, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitoring system. Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes a pre-collision system to detect pedestrians, lane trace alert with steer assist and dynamic cruise control.

Easy on the pocket once again, the standard torch bearer for hybrid vehicles boasts some serious fuel economy figures (EV owners, no range anxiety here!) as gas prices hover over the $3 mark. With its tempting mustard color and stealth appearance, a la Nightshade, the Prius should draw in the younger buyer who have stayed away from the eco icon until now!

PRIUS XLE (NIGHTSHADE)

Tires: P195/50 R15

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches

Length: 181.1 inches

Width: 70.2 inches

Height: 56.3 inches

Weight: 3,285 pounds

Fuel capacity: 10.5 gallons

Mileage: city/combined 49, highway 50

Base price: $33,960

Price as tested: $36,830

Web site: www.toyota.co