Toyota Prius review

Is the Toyota Prius a good car?

More than five-million examples of the Toyota Prius have been sold since the first model arrived in 1997, and the car has been a favourite for city drivers since. The latest model was revealed in 2022, but we were told then that it wouldn’t be coming to the UK – which was a shame, given that its sharp looks meant it was probably the first Prius to have any real kerb appeal. 

Thankfully, Toyota has since launched the PHEV model here because a better business case has been made for this family car. The previous generations of the Prius were known for their self-charging hybrid systems, but the UK version is plug-in hybrid only. That’s partly so as not to step on the toes of the excellent Corolla, which uses the same TNGA platform as the Prius, as well as other models including the C-HR SUV. 

The Toyota’s tech is familiar as a result: an efficient four-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a small battery pack that provides all-electric driving when needed. It is only available in two trim levels, Design and Excel. Both come in at under £40,000, but that’s significantly more than previous versions of Toyota’s economy car.

How much does the Toyota Prius cost? 

Since the Toyota Prius is now only sold in the UK as a plug-in hybrid, prices have seen a significant hike over past models. The entry-level model comes in at around £37,000, which is £5,000 more than the price of the old Prius Plug-in that went off sale in 2023. That car was the priciest version of the old Prius, too, so the new model is a big step up from the old hybrid.

There are two trim levels to choose from, and their Design and Excel names are familiar from elsewhere in Toyota’s line-up. The Excel commands a premium of more than £2,000 over Design, but at the moment it narrowly slides under the £40,000 mark, so avoids the luxury car premium for road tax.

Both versions of the Prius Plug-in use the same powertrain, which comprises a 2.0-litre petrol engine and an electric motor that makes a combined 220bhp. The battery is a modest 13.6kWh in size, while Toyota’s CVT-style automatic gearbox handles power distribution between the engine, motor, battery and wheels.

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The second generation of Toyota’s TNGA platform is used for the Prius Plug-in, and that means not only is the car just as comfortable around town as it is on the motorway, but it’s also quite enjoyable to drive. The steering feel is reassuring, while the body control in corners is impressive. The engine can sound a little gruff when accelerating hard and there’s a bit of wind and road noise at higher speeds, but it’s not a deal breaker.  Read more about the Toyota Prius’s engines, performance and drive…

With more than 25 years of hybrid development behind it, the latest Toyota Prius Plug-in offers great efficiency. The battery is relatively modest when compared with some plug-in hybrid rivals, but the car’s slippery shape means there is a possible range of around 53 miles (depending on wheel size) from a full charge. Even better than that, the Prius should continue to be efficient once the battery has run down, with 80mpg easily achievable in normal driving. Read more about the Toyota Prius’s MPG, emissions and running costs…

There are design elements within the Toyota Prius that are shared with the C-HR compact SUV, but the low-slung body means overall it looks unlike any other model in the Toyota line-up. Inside it’s very much business as usual, though, with Toyota’s latest infotainment tech, decent build quality and a cabin layout that’s easy to get along with once you’re used to it. Read more about the Toyota Prius’s interior, design and technology of the…

The low-slung shape of the fifth-generation Prius means that the in-car packaging has taken a hit, with rear headroom being quite compromised by the car’s low roof. Boot space is better than in the previous-generation Prius, but it’s still not great because the high floor and low roof create a shallow load space. Read more about the Toyota Prius’s boot space, comfort and practicality…

The fifth-generation Prius hasn’t been subjected to scrutiny from safety experts Euro NCAP yet, but seeing as it shares its platform and electronics with cars such as the five-star-rated Toyota C-HR, we would expect it to perform just as capably to avoid or mitigate a collision. Toyota ranked eighth in the latest 2024 Driver Power customer satisfaction survey, with two of its best-selling models in the top 10 of the best cars to own list, and we anticipate that the Prius will be equally dependable. Read more about the Toyota Prius’s reliability and safety…

Toyota Prius alternatives

The Prius has tended to carve its own niche in the market, and the fifth generation’s swoopy styling means it looks unlike any other medium-sized family hatchback on sale. Its closest rivals are plug-in hybrid versions of the Kia Niro and Hyundai Kona, while more conventional hatchbacks such as the Volkswagen Golf, Vauxhall Astra, Peugeot 308 and Cupra Leon or SEAT Leon with plug-in powertrains are available for a similar price.