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The Toyota Prius has been called many things through the years. But “sexy” has typically not been one of them. After its complete re-do for the 2023 model year though, it is hard not to call the new Prius sexy. It looks good from every angle. And the good news is its good looks haven’t compromised its leading-edge fuel economy.
But don’t let us be the only voices to tell you about the new 2023 Toyota Prius. Our special guest this week is Thomas Sondej, Toyota’s Senior Planner of Product Education and the expert on the all-new hybrid. Host Jack Nerad sat down with him at the recent first drive of the vehicle, and he has special insight on Toyota’s goals for the vehicle. We’ll have that interview coming up later in the show.
In the road test segment, AOTR Co-host Chris Teague will take a long look at the 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV battery-electric crossover utility. Of course, battery-electric vehicles like the cold about as much as palm trees do, so we’ll see what Teague says about his week in the vehicle. Did it survey the rigors of late fall in Maine? Did the spotty New England EV infrastructure ruin the Teague family’s experience with the affordable EV? We’ll tell you all that and more coming up.
The 2023 Hyundai Elantra HEV was the other vehicle we road-tested this week. Host Jack Nerad put the hybrid version of the Elantra to the test over the course of a lengthy trial period in Southern California. With fuel economy topping the 50-mpg mark, the Elantra has efficiency going for it. But does it have the stuff to be a pleasant everyday driver? Jack Nerad and Chris Teague will give you their opinions on that key question later in the show.
In the news, the CEO of a major car company says the auto industry will rebound strongly next year. But a survey of auto dealers indicates they are pessimistic about their prospects for 2023. We’ll have our thoughts on all this coming up.
And though many politicians claim that a shift to green cars will add jobs to the American auto industry, a vehicle manufacturing plant in Illinois is about to close. And the company that owns and operates claims the expenses involved with electric vehicles are responsible for the closure.
In a related story, the Swiss government’s proposed regulations on energy use are stopping electric-vehicle sales dead in their tracks. We’ll tell you what the Swiss are proposing and how similar regulations could be instituted right here in America. And you could be the loser.
