Nightshade Special Edition Joins The Family: All-New 2022 Toyota Prius Lineup Announced

The Prius, the brand’s first dedicated hybrid model, joining Toyota’s family of Nightshade special editions for the year. Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture, the fourth-gen Prius adds the special edition variant alongside its existing L Eco, LE, LE AWD-e, XLE, XLE AWD-e and Limited. 

In 1997, the Prius was the world’s first mass-produced hybrid car, with over six million units sold worldwide. The model is now one of the ten Toyota hybrid models and one of 11 electrified vehicles, including the Mirai Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric Vehicle (FCEV).

In terms of its exterior, the Prius maintains its signature silhouette, which was designed to cheat the wind resulting in a 0.24 Cd (coefficient of drag). Spotted are also an automatic grille shutter and a unique liftback design, which provides the vehicle with a healthy amount of cabin and cargo space. 

As standard, Bi-LED headlamps and LED rear combination lamps are fitted with a full-width glass panel located beneath the rear spoiler. Additionally, both the XLE and Limited variants add new integrated fog lamps alongside LED accent lights. 

Interior-wise, the cabin sports a 4.2-inch colour Dual Multi-Information Display with customisable screens, a 7-inch touchscreen display with a 6-speaker audio system and Smart Key functionality, just to name a few. Available as a trial in the Prius are the SiriusXM three-month Platinum Plan, Toyota Safety Connect one-year trial, a 10-year trial of the Service Connect and the Wi-Fi Connect with a three-month trial. 

The Prius Limited gets an extra cherry on top: featuring Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and JBL system with an 11.6-inch touchscreen with split-screen display and 10 JBL speakers with amplifier. Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility is standard across the model. 

Powering the 2022 Prius is a 1.8-litre four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gasoline engine with two motor-generators through an electronically controlled planetary-type CVT. Available in both FWD and AWD-e configurations, the latter uses a dedicated rear electric motor to power the rear wheels when needed, which helps in maximising fuel economy. 

In terms of safety, all variants are equipped with Toyota’s Star Safety System and Toyota Safety Sense 2.0 (TSS-2.0). Some features include Smart Stop Technology (SST), Pre-Collision System with Low-Light Pedestrian Detection, Daytime Bicyclist Detection, Road Sign Assist, Lane Departure Alert and Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. Also seen is an all-new Rear Seat Reminder, where it is activated when a passenger remains in the back seat when the vehicle is idle, transmission is shifted into park and when it is turned off. 

The 2022 Prius Nightshade special edition will be available in three shades: Midnight Black Metallic, Super White and Silver Metallic. The FWD model rides on black 17-inch five-spoke alloy wheels, while the AWD-e variant is fitted with 15-inch alloy wheels with black lug nuts. Special accent features include black headlamps accents, mirror caps, door handles and a shark fin antenna. 

Adding features from the XLE variant, the Nightshade edition includes the 3-door Smart Key system, SofTex-trimmed and heated front seats and steering wheel, door armrest and seatback pockets, chrome accent interior door handles, 60/40 split fold-down rear seats and a retractable tonneau cargo area cover. 

The 2022 Prius will be priced from $24,525 to $30,575, including a 3-year basic warranty, 60-month powertrain warranty, and a 10 years hybrid battery warranty. The ToyotaCare will also come as standard: no-cost planning covering regular factory-scheduled maintenance and three years of 24-hour Roadside Assistance.