IT’S A BEST BUY BECAUSE:
The Toyota Prius is the perennial fuel-economy champ among mainstream passenger cars, and it delivers those standout numbers while maintaining high levels of day-to-day practicality, driving ease, and all-around comfort.
BUT…
The radical styling is polarizing to say the least, and despite a slightly sportier feel than the previous-generation Prius, the current model isn’t particularly engaging to drive.
WORTH NOTING:
A plug-in hybrid model called Prius Prime—with an 8.8 kWh battery pack and an estimated all-electric range of up to 25 miles—debuts for 2017.
WHAT IS IT?
The Prius is Toyota’s best-selling gas-electric hybrid car, and it kicked off its fourth generation last year with an all-new model boasting even better fuel economy and a fresh batch of new technology and safety features—as well as a radical new look and slightly sportier pretensions. The Prius model lineup ascends through Two, Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four, and Four Touring trim levels. Standard features include an Entune audio system with voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, Siri Eyes Free functionality, and a 4.2-inch color instrument-cluster display. Available features include rain-sensing wipers, Qi-compatible wireless device charging, power sunroof, head-up display, heated front seats, a blind-spot monitor, and rear-obstacle detection.
A combined-system 121 horsepower is produced by the Prius’s 1.8-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motor, channeled through a continuously variable transmission. Driver selectable “Normal,” “EV,” “Eco,” or “Power” modes alter powertrain and climate-control settings to favor performance or economy.
WHAT’S NEW?
After its redesign for the 2016 model year, the Prius sees just one change of note for 2017: The Toyota Safety Sense package—which includes forward collision warning and mitigation with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control—is now standard on all models.
FUEL ECONOMY
The bulk of the Toyota Prius lineup is EPA-rated at an impressive 54 mpg city/50 highway. The Prius Two Eco model does even better at 58 city/53 highway, thanks to additional fuel-economy measures such as extra-low-rolling-resistance tires, a lightweight inflator kit in place of a spare tire, a lighter-weight lithium-ion battery, and deletion of the rear-window wiper. In Consumer Guide® testing, a Prius Three averaged 47.5 mpg in a cold-weather winter test that consisted of 65-percent city driving, while a Prius Four Touring averaged 52.6 mpg in 65-percent city driving in moderate temps.
VALUE IN CLASS
The remarkable thing about the Toyota Prius is how little it asks in return for its stellar fuel economy numbers. The gas/electric powertrain is smooth enough that most drivers will forget they’re driving a hybrid, and the basic passenger/cargo layout gives up nothing to a typical compact
sedan … in fact, the Prius’s rear hatch makes it more versatile. The Prius is not without its shortcomings—some of the interior plastic looks and feels cheap, back-seat space was compromised a bit in favor of cargo room in last year’s redesign, and the outlandish interior and exterior styling is simply too much for some shoppers. Still, the Prius is simply a fine car—a fine car capable of breaking 50 mpg.
| BASE PRICE RANGE | $24,685 – $30,015 |
| BODY STYLES | 4-Door Hatchback |
| AVAILABLE ENGINES | 121-HP, 1.8-Liter 4-Cyl./electric |
| DRIVE WHEELS | Front-Wheel Drive |
| BUILT IN | Japan |
| EPA FUEL-ECONOMY RANGE | 50-58 MPG |
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