Used 2018 Toyota Prius XLE for sale 

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.

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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.

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.

What is the 2018 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hatchback's 0-60 mph Acceleration Performance?

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.

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.

What is the 2018 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hatchback's Braking Performance?

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.

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.

Has the Ride and Handling of the 2018 Toyota Prius Hybrid Hatchback improved?

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. 

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.