2026 Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is one of those cars that everybody knows, even if they’re not car people. For a quarter century now, the name has been synonymous with frugality and efficiency. The 2026 model upholds this reputation with an outstanding 57 mpg rating. The current generation of the Prius is our favorite one yet because it serves up a stylish design and a surprisingly energetic driving experience without sacrificing the efficiency it’s famous for. Add in available all-wheel drive (AWD), excellent safety ratings, and great resale value, and the Toyota Prius is simply one of the most sensible car-buying decisions the discerning shopper can make.

We review the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid separately.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of hybrid cars, including the Toyota Prius.

The 2026 Toyota Prius celebrates the nameplate’s 25-year anniversary in the U.S., but it comes with no notable changes this year.

The 2026 Toyota Prius starts at $29,745 for the base LE trim. The top Limited trim kicks off at $36,760. All-wheel drive is a $1,400 option for every trim.

The Toyota Prius is priced similarly to the Honda Civic Hybrid. A couple of more affordable options in the compact hybrid class include the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid and Toyota’s own Corolla Hybrid.

Before buying a Prius, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Toyota Prius resale value is above average for the segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

The 2026 Toyota Prius is powered by a 194-horsepower hybrid 4-cylinder engine matched with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). There were about 20 years when nobody associated the Prius with a fun driving experience, but that changed when the newest generation came out in 2023. Once notoriously lackadaisical, the Prius can now get a hustle on. It used to take 9.8 seconds to saunter from a standstill to 60 mph. This generation of Prius can manage the dash in a downright lively 7.2 seconds.

Coming back to a halt is similarly impressive. In the early days of hybrids, their regenerative braking systems felt odd compared with conventional cars and took some getting used to. But no one does this better than Toyota. We’ve found the brakes in the Prius to feel natural, smooth, and confident.

The ride is smooth, as is typical for a hybrid. However, also typical for a hybrid, we noticed some droning sounds in our testing. Occasional noisiness is still a necessary tradeoff in a hybrid with a CVT, maximizing fuel economy. The steering requires virtually no effort, which is an asset when maneuvering. The car also feels quite nimble and composed through the corners, yet the ride quality is completely comfortable.

A small rear window hampers outward vision. There is a remedy for this, though. Blind-spot monitoring is standard, and a digital rearview mirror is available in the Limited trim. It shows a clear image of what’s behind the car, courtesy of a rear-facing camera. Technology like this has enabled Toyota to push the design envelope unrestricted by small compromises.

Fuel Economy

The Toyota Prius achieves a remarkable 57 combined mpg (57 city, 56 highway). That’s for the base LE trim with front-wheel drive. For reference, in their most efficient variants, the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid gets 54 mpg and the Honda Civic Hybrid gets 49 mpg.

The higher XLE and Limited versions return 52 combined mpg. With all-wheel drive, the LE is rated at 54 combined mpg, while the XLE and Limited equivalents run to 49 combined mpg.

It’s tempting to go with the base trim since it’s the most efficient, but according to EPA estimates, the difference in monthly fuel costs for the most efficient Prius versus its least efficient variant is only about $12.

Toyota used to lean into the weirdness of the Prius by putting all of the gauges in the middle of the dashboard. With the most recent generation, we’re grateful that the driver information display is now in front of the driver. It’s a little thing, but existing Prius owners upgrading to the newest generation will appreciate it.

The dashboard echoes the car’s front end — clean and modern. We also like the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen available in the higher trims and the wireless charging location. This spot just ahead of the center armrest is secure and big enough to take the latest crop of giant smartphones with a case.

The low roof means tall adults will argue about who gets to sit up front. The Prius has 36.4 inches of rear headroom and 34.8 inches of rear legroom. If this is a concern, look instead at the roomier Honda Civic Hybrid (available as a sedan or a hatchback) or the even more spacious SUV-like Kia Niro.

It’s a shame that those places where elbows usually come to rest are woefully under-padded. The usual Toyota aversion to using adequate sound deadening is also evident. Road noise blends with the noticeable thrum of the hybrid system.

The cargo space behind the rear seats is decent, albeit slightly less than that of the Civic Hybrid Hatchback: 23.8 cubic feet with LE trim and 20.3 cubic feet with XLE and Limited trims. A couple of golf bags will fit with room to spare.

It’s always been noticeable to the average bystander that Toyota prioritized efficient aerodynamics over attractive styling with the Prius. However, this newest generation actually looks good without compromising on its slippery aero. The driving character has finally found a favorable balance of verve and efficiency, and the handsome exterior follows suit. It’s a Prius you won’t be embarrassed to drive.

Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
Phone integration in a convenient cable-free format comes as standard with every new Prius hybrid.

Infotainment systems
The base LE has an 8-inch touchscreen. An optional 12.3-inch display is available in the XLE and Nightshade and is standard in the Limited. Six USB-C ports are standard, and the Prius can receive over-the-air upgrades.

All-wheel drive
For people who live in areas where winter tires are probably a good idea, adding this option brings extra reassurance. Yet fuel economy remains thrifty. We love that it’s optional on all four trims.

Digital key
Accessing the Prius can be done by phone. This is optional in the XLE and Nightshade and standard in the Limited, and it enables functions like remote locking/unlocking.

Powered tailgate
Exclusive to the top Limited trim, a powered rear hatch/tailgate/liftback/whatever-you-want-to-call-it adds a touch of luxury.

Advanced Park
This is a hands-free parking system for parallel and perpendicular spaces, available as an option in the Limited model.

Every 2026 Toyota Prius is powered by a hybrid powertrain consisting of a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas engine and a continuously variable transmission with a pair of electric motors. Front-wheel drive is standard, and an optional all-wheel-drive system adds another motor to the rear axle. Output is rated at 194 horsepower for FWD models and 196 hp for AWD variants. The Civic Hybrid has a similar output, while the Elantra Hybrid is notably less powerful at 139 hp.

The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid, reviewed separately, has even more power along with its ability to travel up to 45 miles on electricity alone.

3-Year/36,000-Mile Warranty

Toyota’s basic new-car warranty is for three years or 36,000 miles, whichever happens first, with powertrain coverage going for five years or 60,000 miles. These terms are typical among mainstream car companies. Hybrid-related components have a warranty of eight years or 100,000 miles, while the hybrid battery is covered for 10 years or 150,000 miles. Toyota also includes two years or 25,000 miles of free maintenance.

Safety Ratings

The latest Toyota Prius hybrid has stellar safety ratings. It has earned the lauded Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the top 5-Star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). All Prius models come standard with safety features including forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/cyclist/motorcyclist detection, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and Lane Tracing Assist.