2018 Toyota Prius

Overview

The Toyota Prius is a compact hatch that features an extremely unusual—some would say cartoonlike—exterior that makes it impossible to ignore in dealer lots and organic grocery co-ops alike. The busy, unremittingly angular sheetmetal covers a comfortable if largely unimpressive interior and an eco-friendly powertrain that—per EPA estimates—can earn up to 58 mpg in the city in its most efficient Prius Two Eco guise. The Prius offers very little in the way of driving enjoyment; its smooth ride and predictable steering responses can’t eclipse the fact that it requires fully 10.5 seconds to go from zero to 60 mph. The Prius is the elder statesman of the hybrid segment, but upstarts such as the Hyundai Ioniq and the Kia Niro present meaningful competition.

What's New for 2018?

The Prius remains largely unaltered for 2018, marking two model years with only modest updates after a 2016 redesign. The only change this year is that an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system is now available in the upper Four and Four Touring trims. That system was cribbed from the new-for-2017 Prius Prime and is intended to help the Prius compare favorably with more upscale electric vehicles such as Tesla’s Model S and Model 3.

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Pricing

Pricing is in 2018 dollars:

• One: $24,405
• Two: $25,615
• Two Eco: $26,095
• Three: $27,665
• Three Touring: $29,045
• Four: $30,615
• Four Touring: $31,495

Engine, Transmission, and Performance

The Prius’s hybrid powertrain is simply not capable of delivering thrilling or even amusing acceleration. Its lethargy can’t be given a free pass, as other competitors prove that acceptable performance need not be sacrificed in the pursuit of world-beating fuel economy. The groaning of the standard continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT), while improved versus previous generations, further qualifies our admiration of the Prius’s only powertrain. It’s no thoroughbred, but it is a clever powerplant that smoothly integrates its electric and gasoline propulsion sources and fully delivers on its promise of fuel efficiency. A battery pack—nickel-metal-hydride in the base One and Two models, and lithium-ion in all others—powers the car without the aid of the gasoline engine for short distances. The Prius offers little in the way of driving enjoyment. The Prius’s handling improved considerably with the 2017 redesign, partially the result of a new, more sophisticated rear suspension. The result is a much smoother, more controlled ride than in previous models.

Fuel Economy

EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA’s website and select Find & Compare Cars.

Interior, Comfort, and Cargo

A dispassionate comparison of the Prius’s interior to its sticker price will reveal a gap between the product and its price. Consider that a larger-than-average chunk of the Prius’s cost is directed to fund its advanced powertrain, and the amount of plastic in the interior starts to make sense even as it leaves us wanting for better trimmings. It’s still not what we’d call impressive, but it is comfortable and seems sturdy. The Prius could be trimmed in sumptuous nappa leather and we’d still take issue with the center-mounted information gauges, which require the driver to take eyes off the road too frequently. The inscrutable shifter sprouting horizontally from the center stack, with its non-standard shift pattern and separate park button, will take some time for owners to grow accustomed to. The hatchback body style of the Prius means there’s plenty of room for cargo behind the second row, although it’s not the most spacious vehicle in this competitive set. The manner in which that cargo space is distributed, however, caused it to lag far behind its competitors in our real-world cargo test.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The standard infotainment system in the Prius is adequate, but its intuitive operation and available features such as a Qi wireless-charging pad help Entune recover some of the ground lost in our response-time testing. The availability of an 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system in Priuses Four and Four Touring marks the only change for 2018. It’s an eye-catching centerpiece, to be sure, but not nearly as flexible or configurable as the Tesla unit it emulates. Toyota’s basic Entune audio system is standard and includes a USB port, CD player, auxiliary jack, and Bluetooth compatibility.

Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings

Overall Safety Rating (NHTSA)

View Crash Test Results

For more information about the Toyota Prius’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.

Warranty

Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.