2026 Toyota Prius PHEV Review, Pricing, and Specs
EPA MPGe
48–52 Combined
Seating
5 Seats
Powertrain
Hybrid
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive
Limited Warranty
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Overview
On sale for nearly three decades, the Toyota Prius is the O.G. of consumer gas-electric hybrids. Revised in 2023, the current Prius PHEV bears little resemblance to the original, however, sporting a sleek profile and a fun-to-drive demeanor that was missing from earlier generations. The Prius PHEV's party trick is its ability to plug in and add enough juice to its battery for an EPA-estimated electric-only range of up to 45 miles, enough electrons for many drivers to commute on. Operating in regular hybrid mode, it can travel up to an EPA-estimated 600 miles before needing to refuel or recharge. Though its wind-cheating low roofline encroaches on headroom, it looks great and is a small tradeoff for its remarkable efficiency.
Expert Tip: If you dig the Prius PHEV's efficiency mission but don't have access to convenient charging opportunities, check out its doppelganger, the standard non-plug-in Toyota Prius.
What's New for 2026?
Toyota gives the Prius PHEV the Nightshade treatment for 2026. Built off the XSE grade, the Nightshade Edition is available in three exterior finishes— Karashi, Wind Chill Pearl, and Midnight Black Metallic—then adds unique 19-inch black alloy wheels and blackout trim for the badging, door sills, door handles, and bumper inserts.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Toyota Prius PHEV starts at $34,970 and goes up to $41,665 depending on the trim and options.
SE
$34,970
XSE
$38,220
Nightshade
$38,990
XSE Premium
$41,665 0 $10k $20k $30k $40k $50k $60k $70k
We'd pick the XSE, as it comes with items such as keyless entry, a power rear hatch, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, and heated front seats. Those XSE goodies are in addition to the standard 8.0-inch touchscreen (you can upgrade to the 12.3-inch), heated steering wheel, and an assortment of safety gear. Upgrading to the Nightshade edition is an easy and reasonably affordable way to add a little exclusivity.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
Hybrid Powertrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 220 hp combined
2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 220 hp combined Transmission: Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT) Drivetrain: Front-wheel drive
All Prius PHEV models come with a 160-hp 2.0-liter gas engine that pairs with two electric motors: one that powers the drive wheels and another that controls a planetary gearset to mete out the gas engine's grunt in a manner that resembles a continuously variable automatic transmission. The result is 220 horsepower–more horsepower than a base Mazda 3, a Honda Civic Si, or a Subaru Impreza. What a time to be alive. The Prius PHEV is a front-drive-only affair; however, Toyota may offer all-wheel drive as an extra-cost item in the future. If this is the case, then expect a so-equipped Prius PHEV to include an additional electric motor that exclusively powers the car's rear axle.
0–60-MPH Times
C/D 60-mph Test: 6.7 seconds
In Comparison: The Prius PHEV hits 60 mph in 6.7 seconds in C/D testing, trailing the Honda Civic Hybrid by half a second. It's worth noting that the Prius PHEV needed 11.2 seconds to hit 60 mph in electric-only mode.
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Toyota
Range, Charging, and Battery Life
C/D Range Test: 480 miles
480 miles EPA EV Range: EPA EV Range: 39-44 miles
A lithium-ion battery pack gives the Prius PHEV an electric driving range of as much as 45 miles. During our testing of an XSE model, we managed 33 miles of highway driving on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route before the battery depleted and the gasoline engine had to step in. Charging from a typical 240-volt plug takes approximately four hours to replenish its 11-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, according to Toyota. Besides recharging via the normal plug, a set of roof-mounted solar panels can add a small amount of juice when the car is parked. Take the Prius PHEV out for a drive and those solar panels send power to accessory items, such as the air-conditioning system. Alas, the panels are not available on the lower-end SE and XSE trims—only on the XSE Premium.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 46 MPG (hybrid mode), 101 MPGe (EV mode)
46 MPG (hybrid mode), 101 MPGe (EV mode) EPA City Ratings: 50-53 mpg
50-53 mpg EPA Highway Ratings: 48-52 mpg
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 Prius PHEV yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 50-53 mpg city, 48-52 mpg highway, and 48-52 mpg combined. Note that the base Prius PHEV SE is the most efficient trim as reflected by its EPA estimates. C/D's real-world fuel economy numbers are based on a mid-tier XSE trim. MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV vehicle fuel efficiency.
For more information about the Prius PHEV's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
First Row: While there's plenty of legroom, headroom for drivers over six feet tall is tight. The wraparound dash is fitted with a sizeable center-mounted infotainment screen and an instrument cluster mounted directly in front of the driver that is, oddly, partially blocked by the steering wheel. The low dashboard can also be a hazard to the knees of the passenger.
Second Row: The seat cushions are comfortable, but headroom is tight here too, thanks in large part to the rakish roofline. Legroom is also at a premium, especially for a model that bills itself as a five-passenger vehicle.
Cargo Capacity: There's 20 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats; folding them down opens to create 26 cubes. Though that sounds tiny, the trunk in the Honda Civic offers 15 cubic feet, and the Mazda 3 just 13 cubic feet. Chalk up a win for the Prius PHEV's hatchback design.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen (standard); 12.3-inch touchscreen (optional)
Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB media port, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto
Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard); 8-speaker JBL stereo (optional)
The 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard on SE and XSE models, while the larger 12.3-inch unit is available on the XSE and standard on the top-of-the-line XSE Premium, as is the JBL audio system. Every Prius PHEV includes six USB-C ports and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a 30-day trial subscription.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Toyota fits the Prius PHEV with several standard driver-assistance technologies; however, items such as a surround-view camera and front and rear parking assist systems are optional.
For information about the Prius PHEV's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard Safety Features: Adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist Optional Safety Features: Front and rear parking assist, rear cross traffic alert with braking
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
Toyota's warranty coverage matches up with the plans offered by much of its competition, even outdoing some competitors by including two scheduled maintenance visits within the first two years of ownership.
Limited Warranty: Three years or 36,000 miles
Three years or 36,000 miles Powertrain Warranty: Five years or 60,000 miles
Five years or 60,000 miles Hybrid Components: 10 years or 150,000 miles
10 years or 150,000 miles Complimentary Maintenance: Two years or 25,000 miles
C/D Test Results and Specs
We test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.
Specifications
Specifications
2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE
Vehicle Type: front-engine and front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $36,695/$37,120
Options: Supersonic Red paint, $425
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft + 2 AC motors, 161 and 94 hp (combined output: 220 hp; 10.9-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, C/D est; 3.5-kW onboard charger)
Transmissions: continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 12.0-in vented disc/11.0-in disc
Tires: Michelin Primacy All Season
195/50R-19 88H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.3 in
Length: 181.1 in
Width: 70.2 in
Height: 56.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/39 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/R: 27/20 ft3
Curb Weight: 3536 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS (Electric/Hybrid)
60 mph: 11.7/6.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 18.7/15.1 sec @ 75/94 mph
100 mph: 17.0 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.6/0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 11.2/6.7 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 4.6/2.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 6.9/4.1 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 112 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 179 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.84 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 49 MPGe
75-mph Highway Driving, EV/Hybrid Mode: 101 MPGe/46 mpg
75-mph Highway Range, EV/Hybrid mode: 33/480 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 48/50/47 mpg
Combined Gasoline + Electricity: 114 MPGe
EV Range: 39 mi
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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