$13,999
Est. $190/mo
$20,464
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$18,700
Est. $253/mo
$17,500
Est. $237/mo
$15,995
Est. $217/mo
$21,986
Est. $298/mo
$17,250
Est. $234/mo
$16,000
Est. $217/mo
$18,000
Est. $244/mo
$19,595
Est. $266/mo
$16,999
Est. $230/mo
$20,988
Est. $284/mo
$16,597
Est. $225/mo
$18,988
Est. $257/mo
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Overall Rating
It's powered by a 1.8L Inline-4 engine and two electric motors for both the front wheels. The combined output of the combustion engine and electric motors is 121 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque.
The 2018 Toyota Prius is the latest offering by the Japanese car manufacturer in the hybrid car market. Toyota Prius was initially manufactured in 1997 as the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The car is now offered as a five-door fastback and has been synonymous with the green revolution in the automobile industry.
Toyota's new design is very striking, albeit a bit too busy in the front. Considering the fact that hybrids are still not the cars for anyone and everyone, the Prius is an exciting product for the ones who want a reliable, safe, low cost, and efficient car while also being feature-loaded, spacious, comfortable, and somewhat practical.
If you want the most pocket-friendly Prius, then the Two Eco variant is the car of your dreams. Priced at $25,165, this trim is the most fuel-efficient model, along with better equipment and interiors than the base model. If fuel savings isn't your biggest concern, then Prius Three Touring makes a great buying choice. It offers much better equipment and is better on creature comforts too.
The Prius Four variant offers even better equipment, but that drives the price higher, to nearly $30,000. The car doesn't offer the premium feel that would justify such a price tag, so you might want to give it a miss.
$13,500
Est. $183/mo
$17,987
Est. $244/mo
$18,499
Est. $251/mo
$14,495
Est. $196/mo
$18,850
Est. $255/mo
$16,995
Est. $230/mo
It's powered by a 1.8L Inline-4 engine and two electric motors for both the front wheels. The combined output of the combustion engine and electric motors is 121 hp and 105 lb-ft of torque.
The 2018 Toyota Prius is the latest offering by the Japanese car manufacturer in the hybrid car market. Toyota Prius was initially manufactured in 1997 as the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle. The car is now offered as a five-door fastback and has been synonymous with the green revolution in the automobile industry.
Toyota's new design is very striking, albeit a bit too busy in the front. Considering the fact that hybrids are still not the cars for anyone and everyone, the Prius is an exciting product for the ones who want a reliable, safe, low cost, and efficient car while also being feature-loaded, spacious, comfortable, and somewhat practical.
The Prius is offered in 7 trims, with each consequent model offering better equipment than the previous one. The hatchback has a variety of comfort, entertainment, and safety offerings for the customers to enjoy. A complete table explaining all the features etc. on all the models is given below.
Trims |
Prius One |
Prius Two |
Prius Two Eco |
Prius Three |
Prius Three Touring |
Prius Four |
Prius Four Touring |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$23,475 |
$24,685 |
$25,165 |
$26,735 |
$28,115 |
$29,685 |
$30,565 |
Features |
LED Daytime Running Lights (DRL) with on/off feature |
Adds to or replaces features offered on ONE |
Adds to or replaces features offered on ONE |
Adds to or replaces features offered on TWO |
Adds to or replaces features offered on THREE |
Adds to or replaces features offered on THREE |
Adds to or replaces features offered on FOUR |
Active grille shutter |
Intermittent rear window wiper |
Smart Key System on remote illuminated entry |
Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with auto on/off feature |
Integrated fog lights and LED accent lights |
Rain-sensing variable intermittent windshield wipers Interior Features |
Premium Convenience Package |
|
Heated power outside mirrors with folding feature |
Fabric-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets; 6-way adjustable driver's seat; 4-way adjustable front passenger seat |
Bi-LED projector low- and high-beam headlights with auto on/off feature |
Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite with 7-inch high-resolution touch-screen and split-screen display |
Unique rear bumper treatment |
Entune Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite with 11.6-in. HD multimedia display |
Entune Premium JBL Audio with Integrated Navigation and App Suite with 11.6-in. HD multimedia display |
|
Integrated backup camera |
Smart Key System on three doors with Push Button Start and remote illuminated entry |
SofTex-trimmed front seats with seatback pockets and 6-way adjustable driver's seat |
SofTex-trimmed heated front seats with seatback pockets; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with power lumbar support |
Safety Connect includes Emergency Assistance, Stolen |
|||
Entune Audio with 6.1-in. touch-screen display |
SofTex-trimmed tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio and climate controls, Multi-Information Display (MID) and Bluetooth hands-free phone controls |
4-way adjustable front passenger seat |
Auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink |
Vehicle Locator, Roadside Assistance and Automatic Collision |
|||
4.2-in. color dual Multi-Information Display (MID) |
Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charging with charge indicator light |
Notification. Available by subscription. (Complimentary one-year trial subscription.) |
|||||
Tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio, climate control |
Safety Plus Package (included on this model at no charge) |
We Recommend
If you want the most pocket-friendly Prius, then the Two Eco variant is the car of your dreams. Priced at $25,165, this trim is the most fuel-efficient model, along with better equipment and interiors than the base model. If fuel savings isn't your biggest concern, then Prius Three Touring makes a great buying choice. It offers much better equipment and is better on creature comforts too.
The Prius Four variant offers even better equipment, but that drives the price higher, to nearly $30,000. The car doesn't offer the premium feel that would justify such a price tag, so you might want to give it a miss.
If you are planning to buy the Prius for its performance, then drop your plan. There is no such thing as blazing performance in a Prius. The car is built for efficiency, and the engine and transmission combo work together to salvage every last drop of fuel possible as if it's a world crisis.
The engine is a 1.8L Inline-4 unit coupled with two electric motors driving each of the front wheels. The combined output of both the petrol and electric mills equals a total of 121 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque, which are respectable figures, but not particularly impressive. The engine is mated to a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), which is very efficient but also strips the car of any excitement that could have been possible.
Models |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
---|---|---|---|
MSRP |
$23,475 |
$23,085 |
$26,285 |
Engine |
1.8L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
1.6L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
2.0L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
Transmission |
CVT automatic |
6-speed automatic |
CVT automatic |
Power |
121 hp @ 5,200 rpm |
139 hp @ 5,700 rpm |
141 hp @ 6,000 rpm |
Torque |
105 lb-ft @ 3,600 rpm |
109 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
129 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm |
Although the lack of power isn't hurtful, it does seem unnecessary, as other cars in the segment have proven. The Hyundai Ioniq hybrid and the Ford Fusion hybrid both are quite more powerful than the Prius but even then the performance is just bland. The Fusion has the largest engine and hence has the highest power and torque output.
Toyota Prius isn't built for performance, and it shows when you floor the throttle. Weight is not the reason for its lackluster performance, as the car is relatively light but the tires, however, are the reason for it. There is heavy wheelspin under the pedal-to-the-metal performance.
Thus, it takes a lazy 9.7 seconds to reach 60 mph from standstill while the quarter-mile also takes a yawningly slow 17.1 seconds.
Models |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
---|---|---|---|
0-60 mph |
9.7 sec |
8.1 sec |
8.7 sec |
Quarter mile |
17.1 sec |
16.8 sec |
16.8 |
Engine |
1.8L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
1.6L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
2.0L, Inline-4 Gas/Electric Hybrid |
Top Speed |
112 mph |
122 mph |
115 mph |
None of the cars in the segment are actually anything related to fast, but since we are comparing, the Hyundai Ioniq is the quickest one here and is followed by the Ford Fusion hybrid which manages to match the quarter-mile timings of the Ioniq. The Prius as expected is the slowest by a mile.
Although the acceleration may be the worst in class for the Prius, the braking performance isn't nearly as bad. The braking feel is next to nothing, as the pedal isn't really connected to anything. A sensor and a wire carry your braking inputs directly to the brakes, without the traditional hydraulic middleman. This new system has been implemented as it is more efficient, as it allows for regenerative braking. They manage to halt the over 3,000 lbs car in 121 ft, which is not bad for a car of this segment.
Model |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
---|---|---|---|
Brakes Front (in) |
10.0 |
11.0 |
11.8 |
Brakes Rear (in) |
10.2 |
10.3 |
11.9 |
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,075 |
2,996 |
3,615 |
60-0 mph (ft) |
121 |
124 |
123 |
All the cars have near-identical braking performance, with the Ford Fusion hybrid losing a little due to its weight, as it is the heaviest in this comparison. Hyundai Ioniq travels the farthest to come to a halt despite its lightweight build, while the Toyota Prius is the fastest in spite of having the smallest set of brake rotors.
The Toyota Prius has a very good ride, plush and comfortable. That is due to its soft suspension setup, which absorbs all the bumps on the road. As a consequence of the great ride quality, the handling leaves a bit to be desired. The car wallows under hard cornering and at high speeds, which gives the driver an impression of being unstable. The wheels are extremely thin and offer minimal grip, as they were built to provide low rolling resistance and increase fuel efficiency.
Driving the Prius is sort of a mixed bag as it offers good responses and nimble performance, it lacks the feel and grip while also having a lot of body roll around the corners. The steering has similar characteristics, it is quick and accurate but lacks any feeling whatsoever. But it should serve its purpose well of being driven in the city on a daily basis.
Fuel economy is the biggest weapon any hybrid can wield. The Prius is no different, as the fuel economy is the area where it truly shines. The base variant offers great efficiency figures at a very lucrative price point. The 52 MPGe combined EPA ratings and the 11.3-gallon gas tank helps it to drive long distances without the need for refueling frequently.
Model |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
---|---|---|---|
MPGe (City) |
50 |
57 |
41 |
MPGe (Highway) |
54 |
59 |
43 |
MPGe (Combined) |
52 |
58 |
42 |
Fuel Tank Capacity (gal) |
11.3 |
11.9 |
14.0 |
Range (City / Highway / Combined) (miles) |
565 / 610 / 588 |
678 / 702 / 690 |
574 / 602 / 588 |
Hyundai Ioniq inches ahead in terms of fuel efficiency and also has a slightly larger fuel tank which helps it to be driven for around 700 miles on the highways. The Prius and the Ford Fusion hybrid with their larger fuel tank have identical driving range despite the higher fuel consumption of the Fusion hybrid.
Stepping into the car will reveal where most of the money went. Hint: It's not the interiors. One of the drawbacks of being a hybrid is the cost of its advanced drivetrain. The car does not offer a few essentials, such as lumbar and thigh support and rear AC vents. The Prius seats 4 passengers in comfort, and squeezing in 5 wouldn't be too far of a stretch.
There is ample headroom, shoulder room, and legroom at both the front and rear seats. The interiors can be characterized as functional and practical, and that’s it.
Model |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Passenger capacity |
5 |
5 |
5 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Front Row (Head / Shoulder / Leg) (in) |
 Exterior |
Model |
Toyota Prius (One) |
Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid (Blue) |
Ford Fusion Hybrid (S) |
---|---|---|---|
Curb Weight (lbs) |
3,075 |
2,996 |
3,615 |
Length (in) |
178.7 |
176.0 |
191.8 |
Width (in) |
69.3 |
71.7 |
72.9 |
Height (in) |
58.1 |
56.9 |
58.0 |
Ground Clearance (in) |
5.1 |
5.3 |
6.0 |
Wheelbase (in) |
106.3 |
106.3 |
112.2 |
Track width (in) Front / Rear |
60.2 / 60.6 |
61.5 / 62.1 |
62.3 / 62.0 |
The Ford Fusion hybrid is the longest, widest, and thereby the heaviest car in this comparison. The wheelbase too is over six-inch longer than the other two. On the other hand, the Ioniq despite being the shortest car has a similar wheelbase as that of the Prius. The Prius though is wider and taller than the Ioniq.
Safety features should be one of the biggest buying factors while considering a car, and Toyota Prius impresses with good ratings all around. The 2018 Toyota Prius gets an overall 5-star rating from the NHTSA whereas the IIHS has awarded the Prius with the ‘Top Safety Pick’ award for the 2018 model year. There are a host of active and passive safety features that have been incorporated into the car and some of them are listed below.
Hyundai Ioniq bests all the current hybrids in terms of value, with its super low price tag and a great peppy engine with decent power on tap. It has great ride quality, and decent handling to go along, offering the most comfortable ride here. There is no reason to skip the Ioniq to buy a Prius unless of course, you're only looking for recognition as a "hybrid vehicle owner". Prius will get you instantly recognized as one, which although shallow, is definitely a buying criteria for some.
The Ford Fusion hybrid is by far the most expensive car here. It is also the heaviest car here and dwarfs the Prius with its size. The Fusion has a much more powerful engine that outperforms the Prius, while there is ample space on the inside for all passengers to be seated comfortably. That being said, the Prius is a lot more efficient and has double the size of the trunk than that on Fusion. To pick one would be a difficult task but since it is the battle of the hybrids, we feel the Prius offers more value for your money.
The 2018 Toyota Prius remains an impressive little car that gets the job done without much fuss and drama. While some would prefer to have more oomph in their car, buying a hybrid car for excitement is extremely counter-intuitive. The people who buy hybrids just want to go from point A to point B and save a few polar bears while they're at it. The Prius fits the bill perfectly, owing to its low emissions and fuel efficiency. So, if you care a lot about our environment and want to contribute for its betterment, the 2018 Toyota Prius hybrid is one of the most rounded products you could have in this segment.