Toyota Prius 2025: Price, consumption, picture, technical data. EV
The Toyota Prius remains a remarkably efficient hatchback, but it’s no longer the must-have hybrid it once was. Its wedge-shaped design aims to maximize fuel economy, but it’s not aesthetically pleasing.
Toyota Prius EV sedan
The powertrain puts out a measly 121 horsepower, which equates to sluggish acceleration. And while the Prius Eco model boasts a combined EPA rating of 56 mpg, the Hyundai Ioniq Blue tops it, achieving 59 mpg.
On the plus side, the Prius is the only compact hybrid to offer all-wheel drive, but that doesn’t improve its apathetic driving manners. The Toyota is simply not nearly as compelling as the Honda Insight sedan, and the Toyota Corolla Hybrid is less expensive and nearly as fuel efficient. Unfortunately, the Toyota Prius is struggling for relevance in a segment it helped shape.
What’s new ?
The Prius range adds a Nightshade model, available in three different metallic colors: Silver, Super White and Midnight Black. It brings black 17-inch wheels for front-wheel-drive models and 15-inch wheels with black lug nuts for all-wheel-drive models. Inside, heating for the steering wheel and front seats is standard.
While it’s tempting to go for the XLE model for its power seats, heated seat cushions and steering wheel, enhanced proximity key function and smartphone charging pad, these features don’t seem worth the nearly €4,500 (Euro) extra cost for the L-Eco. The base model offers everything you need, plus a few niceties like passive entry on the driver’s door and adaptive cruise control.
Engine, transmission and performance
The Prius’ hybrid powertrain doesn’t deliver exciting or even fun acceleration, which is a shame. Several rivals prove that acceptable performance doesn’t have to be sacrificed in the pursuit of world-beating fuel efficiency. The Toyota Prius doesn’t offer much in the way of fun or refinement, either. All-wheel-drive models feature an electric motor that operates separately from the hybrid system and drives the rear wheels. Braking is a common gremlin for hybrid vehicles, which use a mix of regenerative and friction braking. Inconsistent or numb feedback from the brake pedal, as we experienced in the Prius, is often the compromise, and when combined with the low-rolling-resistance tires most hybrids wear, can result in longer stopping distances than similarly sized non-hybrid vehicles.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
According to the EPA, the most fuel-efficient Prius Eco earns up to 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. Other front-wheel-drive models are rated for 54 mpg city and 50 mpg highway. All-wheel-drive examples fare a little worse, with ratings of 52 and 48 mpg, respectively. That doesn’t always hold up in the real world, though. On our 75-mph fuel-economy test loop, the front-wheel-drive Prius delivered a disappointing 46 mpg, falling 4 mpg short of its EPA rating, while an XLE AWD-e returned 47 mpg. For more information on this car’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.
Interior, comfort and cargo
Even if the Prius were decked out in sumptuous leather, we’d still take issue with the center-mounted information displays, which require more driver attention than a traditional setup. Passengers have plenty of room to spread out in the Prius—there’s room for four 6-footers thanks to the upright seating position—but some competitors offer even more legroom for rear passengers. The Prius’s hatchback body style provides plenty of room for luggage behind the rear seat, and the dash-mounted shifter frees up space for storage compartments in the front seat area. In the rear, storage space is limited to two rather small door pockets and the cupholders in the pull-down center armrest.
Infotainment and connectivity
Aside from the Limited model, all trim levels of the Toyota Prius get a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system with a variety of features, including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. The Limited gets a vertically oriented 11.6-inch touchscreen with CarPlay and Alexa, but for some reason Android Auto isn’t compatible with the larger display.
Safety and driver assistance functions
The Prius comes standard with driver-assistance technology that many competitors only offer through option packages and upper trim levels. For more information on crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
- Automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection as standard
- Lane departure warning and lane keeping assist as standard
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and maintenance coverage
Toyota matches its competitors’ offerings, but offers above-average coverage in terms of included maintenance. Likewise, the warranty for hybrid components is an industry standard.
Price Toyota Prius
Toyota has not officially announced when the Toyota Prius Prime will go on sale, but we expect the plug-in hybrid to arrive in summer based on fleet ordering guidelines.
Pricing for the Toyota Prius Prime remains unclear. We expect pricing to stay close to the current range of €29,215 to €34,995 (including destination).
