The Toyota Prius is the original hybrid, the vehicle which can claim its status as the first mass-produced hybrid in the world, and in 2020 Toyota surpassed the 15 million mark in hybrid sales to continue its record for selling the most hybrid vehicles in the world. With such lofty credibility as a brand, Toyota proudly forges ahead as a world leader in reducing CO2 emissions through automotive innovations. The 2022 Toyota Prius gains a number of new features for this model year, including a new Nightshade special edition, and is currently the only compact hybrid to offer all-wheel drive. There is a lot to explore for the 2022 Prius, and we share all the latest details here.
What’s New for 2022?
With the new model year arrival comes a number of changes to update the fourth-generation 2022 Prius. One of the biggest changes includes the addition of the Nightshade Edition, which escorts the Prius into the Toyota lineup of vehicles that offer this special edition as part of the trims. From the outside, the Nightshade Edition peels away from the pack with three exclusive colors: Midnight Black Metallic, Super White, or Silver Metallic. Exterior accents in black give the Nightshade Edition its own personality, with black mirror caps, headlight accents, and door handles matching the black 17-inch wheels.
The Nightshade Edition can be purchased with all-wheel drive, and with the extra traction will come signature 15-inch wheels with black details. All of these extra appearance features are added to the XLE trim line, which offers buyers a plentiful array of amenities. Other new additions to the Prius for 2022 include a rear-seat reminder as standard for all trim levels, as well as a standard trial for Service Connect, which gives buyers free access to maintenance reminders, emergency services, and a stolen vehicle locator if they are ever needed, a service Toyota offers as a ten-year free trial.
Outstanding Features
Toyota constantly innovates features for the Prius to continue to improve on operating systems and efficiency, and some of the most notable features included in Prius models are built to sip energy, so you have more fuel and battery life dedicated to driving. Standard LED lights use far less energy than halogen or other types of bulbs, and the Prius utilizes LEDs for all exterior lights. The air conditioning system similarly saves energy through its “smart flow” mode that sends air only to the driver’s seat. In fact, all the technology in the 2022 Prius is built to be more efficient in order to draw less power, and that standard boils right down to the available all-wheel drive system, which saves energy by operating only when sensors indicate a need for more traction.
You’re Covered With the Prius
Whether you’re looking for safety features you can count on, a warranty that puts your mind at ease, or you want a vehicle that can drive anywhere as the only compact hybrid with all-wheel drive, the 2022 Toyota Prius has everything you need. Standard Toyota Safety Sense driver-assist features include a number of impressive technologies you won’t find on most vehicles. The Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection will watch for people crossing your path or running alongside the road, and it also works in low light to make sure your Prius sees people even when lighting isn’t ideal. The 2022 Prius will see cyclists during the day, too.
New safety features for 2022 like Lane Tracing Assist and Road Sign Assist keep you safely in your lane and aware of speed limits or important traffic information. Standard dynamic radar cruise control eases fatigue on the highway since the Prius will handle speeds with the flow of traffic, so you don’t have to keep tapping the brakes if other drivers slow down. For all models above the entry-level L Eco trim, the Intelligent Clearance Sonar alerts you to objects behind you, and Intelligent Parking Assist can park your Prius autonomously. The parking assist is meant for parallel parking and backing into parking spaces – the two scenarios that usually trouble drivers the most.
Protection also comes in the form of Toyota’s incredible warranty, which covers your 2022 Prius hybrid system for 96 months or 100,000 miles, and the battery is covered for 120 months or 150,000 miles. Of course, you get the standard Toyota coverage for corrosion prevention, the gas powertrain, and bumper-to-bumper protection as one of the most comprehensive warranties in the industry for the price. Keep in mind you get the Service Connect trial for ten years, too, which means you can always call for help if you ever need roadside assistance or emergency service from an accident.
Trims and Special Editions
Choosing the trim level offers buyers a good range of choices with a number of great features for the segment. Starting with the most fuel-efficient trim level, the L Eco, you will get a combined fuel efficiency of 56 MPG, and you get a generous set of standard features for the lowest price in the lineup. Tech features include Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa connectivity, all accessed through the seven-inch infotainment touchscreen. Conveniences like automatic headlights, automatic climate control, and keyless entry with a push-button ignition make daily driving a simple affair. Most vehicles don’t offer much in the way of convenience at the entry level, but the L Eco is worth a look if you want a low-priced hybrid that delivers on comfort and tech.
Moving up to the LE trim adds a tonneau cover for the rear cargo area, intermittent speed settings for the rear window wiper, and additional storage in the rear seating area. All-wheel drive is made available with the LE AWD-e trim, which builds on the LE trim by including fog lights, upgraded two-tone wheels, and an all-wheel drive monitoring system in the driver’s instrument panel display.
With the XLE trim, upgraded night visibility arrives with LED projector-beam headlights and available adaptive lighting for views of the road while you’re cornering. Let in more light during the day or capture overhead sights at night with the available moonroof, and access your interior more easily with the smart key system. Weather won’t get you down in the XLE with standard rain-sensing wipers, a heated steering wheel, and heated front seats. Technology upgrades like the Homelink universal home remote system and wireless charging round out the tech for the trim that truly has the best value. Add all-wheel drive with the XLE AWD-e, and your 2022 Prius will be outfitted for virtually anything.
Finally, the Limited trim is the top of the range and offers buyers premium technology and sound you can only have with the Limited. The exclusive 10-speaker JBL sound system comes with an amplifier for the best quality stereo available for the 2022 Prius. It also offers the largest 11.6-inch touchscreen with a split-screen display, integrated navigation, and a color head-up display that projects important data onto the windshield so that your eyes stay on the road while you drive. In addition, Toyota gives the Limited a complimentary three-month trial of the SiriusXM Platinum Plan.
Get Ready for the 2022 Prius
Whether you love the economy of the entry-level Eco or you want all the extra conveniences in the Limited, you can have the Prius in any one of six available trims or choose the special Nightshade Edition for extra style. With new safety features and the extended Service Connect system, you can drive your Prius anywhere with confidence, especially when you consider the excellent warranty coverage from Toyota. Six million buyers have already purchased their Prius hybrid since its first generation, and since then, buyers have discovered you don’t have to sacrifice much to drive a vehicle that helps the planet.
