HIGHS

LOWS

VERDICT

Forget that awkward, ugly-duckling hybrid from just a few years ago: the current Toyota Prius PHEV, the plug-in version of the hybrid hatchback sedan, sports a contemporary rakish profile and dynamic abilities that nearly overshadow its core efficiency mission.

A 2.0-liter gasoline engine, a pair of electric motors, and an 11-kW battery pack conspire to churn out a combined 220 horsepower funneled to the front wheels by a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Requiring 6.7 seconds to hit 60 MPH, the Prius PHEV's middling acceleration—at least compared to most pure EVs—is tempered by the 49 mpg it registered while in the hands of our notoriously heavy-footed C/D editors. Combined with an EPA-estimated electric-only range of up to 45 miles and up to 600 miles between fuel stops, the efficiency calculation looks as good as the Prius PHEV's sleek profile.

Expert Tip: If you dig the Prius PHEV's efficiency mission but don't have access to convenient charging facilities, check out its doppelganger, the standard non-plug-in Toyota Prius.

For 2027, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid adds Dual-Zone HVAC and a new exterior black hue dubbed "Ink."

Upgrading to the Nightshade edition is an easy and reasonably affordable way to add a little exclusivity.

• Hybrid Powertrain: 2.0-liter four-cylinder and two electric motors, 220 hp combined
• Transmission: Continuously Variable Automatic (CVT)
• Drivetrain: front-wheel drive

All Prius PHEV models come with a 160-hp 2.0-liter gas engine that pairs with two electric motors: one that powers the drive wheels and another that controls a planetary gearset to mete out the gas engine's grunt in a manner that resembles a continuously variable automatic transmission. The result is 220 horsepower–more horsepower than a base Mazda 3, a Honda Civic Si, or a Subaru Impreza. What a time to be alive. The Prius PHEV is a front-drive-only affair; all-wheel drive isn't available.

• C/D 60-mph Test: 6.7 seconds

In Comparison: The Prius PHEV hit 60 mph in 6.7 seconds in C/D testing, trailing the Honda Civic Hybrid by half a second. It's worth noting that the Prius PHEV needed 11.2 seconds to hit 60 mph in electric-only mode.

• C/D Range Test: 33 miles
• EPA EV Range: EPA EV Range: 39-45 miles 

A lithium-ion battery pack gives the Prius PHEV an electric driving range of as much as 45 miles, according to the EPA. During our testing of an XSE model, we managed 33 miles of highway driving on our 75-mph highway fuel economy route before the battery depleted and the gasoline engine stepped in. Charging from a typical 240-volt plug takes approximately four hours to replenish the 11-kWh lithium-ion battery pack, according to Toyota. Besides recharging via the normal plug, a set of roof-mounted solar panels can add a small amount of juice when the car is parked. Take the Prius PHEV out for a drive, and those solar panels send power to accessory items, such as the air-conditioning system. Alas, the panels are not available on the lower-end SE and XSE trims—only on the XSE Premium.

• C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test: 46 MPG (hybrid mode), 101 MPGe (EV mode)
• EPA City Ratings: 50-53 mpg 
• EPA Highway Ratings: 47-51 mpg 

The EPA estimates the 2027 Prius PHEV SE's fuel economy at 53 mpg city, 51 mpg highway, and 51 mpg combined. The XSE, Nightshade, and XSE Premium are slightly less efficient at 50 mpg city, 47 mpg highway, and 47 mpg combined. In our testing, an XSE model delivered 49 MPG combined in hybrid mode and 101 MPGe in EV mode.

MPGe stands for miles per gallon of gas equivalent, an EPA metric that estimates PHEV and EV fuel efficiency.

In Comparison: The 2026 Honda Civic Sport Hybrid Hatchback we tested is EPA-rated for 50 mpg city, 45 mpg highway, and 48 mpg combined, numbers that fall right in line with the Prius PHEV.

First Row: While there's plenty of legroom, headroom for drivers over six feet tall is tight. The wraparound dash is fitted with a sizeable center-mounted infotainment screen and an instrument cluster mounted directly in front of the driver that is, oddly, partially blocked by the steering wheel.

Second Row: The seat cushions are comfortable, but headroom is tight here too, thanks in large part to the rakish roofline. Legroom is also at a premium, especially for a model that bills itself as a five-passenger vehicle.

Cargo Capacity: There's 20 cubic feet of cargo area behind the rear seats; folding them down opens to create 26 cubes. Though that sounds tiny, the trunk in the Honda Civic offers 15 cubic feet, and the Mazda 3 just 13 cubic feet. Chalk up a win for the Prius PHEV's hatchback design. In our testing, we fit four carry-on suitcases inside the Prius's trunk; with the rear seats folded, we fit 14.

• Infotainment: 8.0-inch touchscreen (standard); 12.3-inch touchscreen (optional)
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB media port, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto 
• Audio System: 6-speaker stereo (standard); 8-speaker JBL stereo (optional)

An 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is standard on SE and XSE models, while a larger 12.3-inch unit is available on the XSE and standard on the top-of-the-line XSE Premium, as is the JBL audio system. Every Prius PHEV includes six USB-C ports and a Wi-Fi hotspot with a 30-day trial subscription.

Toyota outfits the Prius PHEV with several standard driver-assistance technologies; however, items such as a surround-view camera and front and rear parking assist systems are optional.

For information about the Prius PHEV's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

• Standard Safety Features: adaptive cruise control, automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning with lane-keeping assist
• Optional Safety Features: front and rear parking assist, rear cross traffic alert with braking

Toyota's warranty coverage matches up with the plans offered by much of its competition, even outdoing some competitors by including two scheduled maintenance visits within the first two years of ownership.

• Limited Warranty: three years or 36,000 miles
• Powertrain Warranty: five years or 60,000 miles
• Hybrid Components: 10 years or 150,000 miles
• Complimentary Maintenance: two years or 25,000 miles 

Each year, we put hundreds of vehicles through our rigorous instrumented testing regimen. If the data in the chart below is for a different model year, that's because this vehicle hasn't changed since we last tested it, and the test results remain accurate.

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