Later this month at the Los Angeles auto show, Toyota will be releasing an updated 2019 Prius hybrid that will likely be available with all-wheel drive. The hint comes from a Toyota press release issued today saying that the 2019 Prius "performs on roads whether snowy or clear," and the accompanying image pictures a Prius driving down a snow-covered road.

All-wheel drive doesn't actually originate with this fourth-generation Prius. Since its launch in 2015, the hybrid has been offered in Japan with what Toyota calls E-Four, which is an all-wheel-drive system specifically developed for hybrid models. The E-Four setup adds a second electric motor to the rear axle that solely drives the rear wheels, and the system can switch between front- and all-wheel drive depending on driving conditions and fuel-efficiency needs. Thanks to its compact design, Toyota says, the AWD system only adds a slight weight penalty, fuel economy is no different, and luggage capacity is identical compared with the front-wheel-drive Prius.

Thanks to its compact design, Toyota says, the AWD system only adds a slight weight penalty, fuel economy is no different, and luggage capacity is identical compared with the front-wheel-drive Prius.