2015 Toyota Prius Persona

Best selling Hybrid in the world gets accessorized again.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 4, 2014



2015 Toyota Prius Persona Edition - $26,985 to start and continues to be the only 50 mpg combined rating car available in North America.



The 3rd generation Prius will continue to be known for its 50 mpg combined result and the leading environmentally friendly car available to the masses long after it is gone. We have driven almost every trim in a variety of locals and the one thing that continues to impress is its exceptionally low fuel consumption. There are turbo diesels and conventionally powered automobiles that can best it at the pump but not without an inordinate amount of physical and mental hoops and most certainly not for the average driver across all realms.



Along with pages of accolades when the first 2010 Prius’ arrived in the late spring of 2009, it continues to earn respect from the automotive press even today thanks in part to that 50 mpg rating and easy to achieve 44 + mpg for most but its overall low emissions environmental performance, its reliability, and its resale value. As a testament to the original design engineers and the market planning execs that followed its release, the third gen continues to garner awards and accolades including KBBs recent '10 Best Green Cars for 2014', one of Edmunds.com 'Top Rated Vehicles', and U.S. News and World Reports 'Best Cars for Families.'



Yeah I know some of these are low hanging fruit but where rubber meets the road, its easily recognizable silhouette and popularity on American roads tell a story all its own. In particular California where it has been the most popular model sold in the Golden State in both 2012 and 2013.



The Third Generation Prius



Introduced in late spring 2009, the all-new third generation Prius arrived with its Hybrid Synergy Drive system filled with 90 percent all-new parts. It was/is quieter, roomier, and more comfortable than the 2004 – 2009 second generation and simply put with tens of thousands of hours of hard work by Toyota scientists and engineer’s advances the automobile drivetrain like no other technology before it.



The more powerful Atkinsonized 1.8L I4 and more powerful HSD provide a combined 134 hp helping the third gen to achieve almost a second advantage to 60 mph over the previous generation. The design also improved the warm-up hit.

2014 Toyota Prius





Still attractive after all these years. Especially with those 17" alloys.

The Prius’ aero wedge continues to be its most noteworthy exterior feature. A 0.25 Cd along with a larger and more useful cargo space is what keeps people coming.



Optional low beam LEDs headlamps and standard quick lighting LED tail and stop lamps helped to reduce overall power consumption at night in particular.



Electric A/C was re-engineered to increase efficiency and occupant comfort while an exhaust heat recirculation system helped warm the engine and the cabin that much quicker.



I will not bother with ride and handling (R&H) suspension tuning interior enhancements over the second gen because it is an area of contention. Every other automaker has far surpassed the Prius R&H, interior materials, displays, appointments, and layout and is a major reason why we need the all-new 2016 fourth gen to arrive sooner than later.



On the safety front, it was adorned with a much stronger and rigid chassis and passenger safety cell. Front, side, side curtain and drivers side knee airbags did not hurt either. Active headrests and Toyota’s star safety system was all the rage.



None of that was not enough however as a new Small Overlap test was introduced by the IIHS revealing major flaws in the Prius design. For the 2014 MY, Toyota redesigned the passenger cell and chassis to finally earn a Top Safety Pick + rating in the harshest crash test regimen anywhere in the world.

2014 Toyota Prius IIHS Crash Test Ratings





Like cars, crash tests continue to evolve which in turn makes safer cars for all going forward.

Prius carries on into the 2015 MY with 4 trims and multiple feature and amenity additions. The 2015 full lineup pricing has yet to be released although it should not change much from the current 2014 Prius Package two which starts at $25,025 incl. D&H. That is a little steep for a sparsely equipped C-segment. With $1,500 cash on the hood and another $1,000 off from the dealerships however, purchasing a Prius package 3 for < $25,000 is quite doable.

2014 Toyota Prius Cargo Volume





93.7 cu. ft. of passenger volume is a bit tight while the 21.6 cu. ft. of totally useable cargo capacity is excellent.

I practically wrote the above in my sleep albeit over a 90-minute period. ;)



My suggestion? Purchase the Prius PHEV-11. With all of the deals and incentives, it will cost you less up front, will cost you less at the pump, you receive a few more amenities, and will have the satisfaction of having a mild PHEV (< 15-miles AER) vs. a full one for thousands less than most have paid.



2015 Toyota Prius Persona



Like the 2013 and 2014 before it, the 2015 Prius Persona Series Special Edition has been blinged up both inside and out.



The Prius Persona Series Special Edition is a Prius Three shod sharp looking 17” alloys with a premium dark metallic finish (they cost you at the pump however :(). It also arrives with heated power mirrors with built in turn signal indicators.



The Persona is available in two exterior colors, Blizzard Pearl (white), and for the first time on this model, Absolutely Red. A “Persona Series” exterior badge on the rear of the vehicle also helps differentiate the model. IIRC, Russell Frost had something to do with creating this badge!

2015 Toyota Prius Persona Edition





Inside is a bit more comfortable than your std. Prius although low rent in many areas compared to the rest of the segment.

Inside owners will be bathed in black SofTex with contrasting gray stitching. The steering wheel is also trimmed in SofTex and includes a dark chrome bezel that complements the new model’s dark chrome shift knob ring and door grips. The Persona Series also features blue driver and front-passenger foot area illumination.



The new Persona Special Edition has a MSRP of $26,985 not including the of $825 D&H fee. Blizzard Pearl exterior paint is accompanied by an additional $395 fee.



Toyota stated the special edition model will begin arriving in dealerships next month.

2015 Toyota Prius Persona