Are we really talking about a Toyota Prius drag racing? Is that what the world has come to? The better question to ask is, what has the Prius evolved into? And the answer is yes.

Now, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is not marketed as a performance vehicle. However, it does boast 220 horsepower from its hybrid powertrain, which includes a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine paired with a single electric motor. According to Toyota, this is enough to propel the Prius Prime from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds. That’s slightly faster than a Honda Civic Si and only a few tenths behind a Volkswagen GTI – two cars that are known for their performance capabilities.