When you’re after a automobile that gained’t go away you stranded and gained’t guzzle gasoline, this Toyota hybrid has you coated.
However there’s extra to it than just being sensible. This yr, it’s been refreshed in a manner that truly makes it really feel inviting to drive.
It’s the sort of automobile that quietly does all the best issues whereas nonetheless placing a bit of smile in your face.
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The Toyota Prius delivers effectivity and reliability like few vehicles can
A hybrid that’s sensible, clean, and really pleasurable to drive
Actually, saying the Prius is essentially the most environment friendly Toyota in 2026 isn’t precisely breaking information.
It’s been setting the bar for efficiency for years, and for good motive.
As one of many first hybrids everybody may truly purchase, this automobile virtually invented what it means to avoid wasting gasoline with out sacrificing on a regular basis usability.
57 mpg that retains your pockets blissful
The Prius achieves a powerful 57 mpg mixed, topping each different automobile on sale within the U.S.
That determine applies to the bottom LE trim, although.
Including all-wheel drive or choosing greater trims with bigger 19-inch wheels will scale back effectivity barely.
Selecting something past the bottom LE, which comes customary with 19-inch wheels, brings the mixed effectivity all the way down to a still-respectable 52 mpg.
Add all-wheel drive, and the numbers shift a bit extra: the LE drops to 54 mpg mixed, whereas different trims with 19-inch wheels fall to 49 mpg.
At the moment’s Prius manages to be extra environment friendly than the technology it replaces—even with much more energy below the hood.
It wasn’t at all times taken severely, although. For years, the Prius was the butt of motoring jokes, gradual to speed up and simple to go.
Since 2023, it’s a unique story: extra highly effective, extra environment friendly, and solely barely much less aerodynamic than earlier than.
2026 Toyota Prius specs
|
Engine |
2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Drivetrain |
Entrance engine, FWD |
Entrance engine, AWD |
|
Energy |
194 hp |
196 hp |
|
Torque |
N/A |
|
|
Transmission |
eCVT |
|
|
EPA mixed mpg |
57 mpg (LE), 52 mpg (XLE, Nightshade, Restricted) |
54 mpg (LE), 49 mpg (XLE, Nightshade, Restricted) |
|
Base MSRP |
$28,550 |
Credit score goes to the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS V), which builds on what THS IV began.
The updates are delicate however efficient: stronger electrical motors for faster acceleration, extra pure-electric driving, new lithium-ion batteries, and a wiser energy management unit.
Within the Prius, that provides as much as 194 horsepower, or 196 with digital AWD — an enormous leap from the 121 horsepower the final technology supplied.
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When the 2023 Toyota Prius hit the streets, it surprised everybody with a critical glow-up.
The once-humble fastback sedan obtained a serious makeover that turned heads.
Smooth, fashionable, and totally reinvented
And what a glow-up it obtained. The brand new fastback form is modern and futuristic, whereas the mannequin it changed appeared… properly, a bit of alien.
It didn’t assist that the older Prius was in all places—from household driveways to ride-sharing fleets. Even three years later, the 2026 Prius nonetheless manages to look sharp and assured.
Toyota was one of many first to carry the Hammerhead entrance fascia to the U.S., with its signature C-shaped LED headlights and daytime working lights. On the again, full-width LED taillights completely complement the graceful, fashionable rear design.
The bottom LE comes with 17-inch wheels. They give the impression of being a bit small within the larger wheel wells, however they’re a giant motive the Prius hits such spectacular effectivity.
Step as much as the upper trims, and also you get 19-inch wheels that actually add type.
The trade-off? These 195/50 R19 tires aren’t precisely customary, which may make replacements a bit tough in comparison with the everyday 225-width tires most 19-inch wheels use right this moment.
A cabin that feels grown-up and refined
Again when the Prius first obtained its fastback form, the inside was… quirky. A full-width digital gauge cluster dominated the sprint and gave it a really distinctive vibe.
Now, Toyota has gone for a extra conventional, sporty, and mature format. The seven-inch digital gauges sit neatly behind the wheel, making the cabin really feel acquainted however fashionable.
An eight-inch infotainment screen comes customary, whereas the range-topping Restricted will get a 12.3-inch show and a JBL sound system. Premium touches like a panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate are additionally reserved for the highest trim.
Inside, the Prius is loaded with soft-touch surfaces and leatherette, with leatherette seating on each trim besides the bottom LE.
The bottom LE may not really feel premium, however it nonetheless packs fashionable necessities like wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button begin, single-zone local weather management, and 6 USB-C ports scattered across the cabin.
The sloping roofline does minimize a little bit of rear headroom for taller passengers, however in any other case the Prius simply seats 4 adults—or 5 in a pinch.
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The primary hybrid confirmed it’s constructed to final, setting the bar for the way powerful a automobile may be.
Effectivity that’s something however boring
The Prius proves saving gasoline may be enjoyable and sensible
The Prius hasn’t was a sports activities sedan, and it wasn’t meant to.
Nonetheless, because of efficiency upgrades and the up to date TNGA-C platform, it now carries a stunning dose of athleticism that earlier fashions lacked.
Polished, exact, and thoughtfully designed
The Prius rides on a closely reworked TNGA-C platform. Whereas it’s technically a carryover, the updates are something however minor.
Enhancements in rigidity make for a composed and refined driving expertise. It’s not fairly Lexus-level clean, however it’s the closest the Prius has ever come.
Even at greater speeds, the cabin stays quiet, and the 19-inch wheels don’t smash the experience. As an alternative, they strike an excellent steadiness between type and supple dealing with.
A contact of sportiness in each drive
The Prius was designed to shake off Toyota’s “boring automobile” popularity, including a contact of athleticism to its drive. Fast-ratio steering makes it really feel sharper, whereas the balanced suspension retains physique management in examine.
The steering is exact, although like many electrical energy techniques, it doesn’t supply a ton of highway really feel. Nonetheless, it’s extra assured and fascinating than earlier fashions.
Exhausting acceleration can carry some engine drone, however because of the stronger electrical motors in THS V, it’s much less noticeable than earlier than. There’s additionally extra alternative for pure electrical driving, making the expertise quieter and smoother total.
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