Adam Gray, a seasoned automotive journalist and content creator from the UK, joined the How-To Geek editorial team in January 2025.
As an automotive journalist for How-To Geek, Adam breaks first-to-report news on the latest in automotive tech, as well as penning automotive features and reviews.
Adam is also a contributor to one of How-To Geek’s sister sites, TopSpeed, where he uses his media accrediation with manufacturers’ press offices to gain access to the latest vehicles for subsequent review.
Prior to joining How-To Geek, Adam worked on a freelance basis, contributing automotive content to a variety of business and lifestyle publications.
His experience also includes time spent serving as senior editorial & auction content manager for SBX Cars, automotive content writer for Supercar Blondie, motoring editor for Portfolio North, and motoring editor – North East for Reach plc.
When he’s not putting the latest vehicle through its paces or testing out its tech, Adam can be found at his local ice rink playing ice hockey or at the Riverside Stadium supporting his beloved Middlesbrough FC. Adam also enjoys spending quality time with his three children: Ellie, Oscar, and Heidi.
If you’re after a car that won’t leave you stranded and won’t guzzle gas, this Toyota hybrid has you covered.
But there’s more to it than just being sensible. This year, it’s been refreshed in a way that actually makes it feel inviting to drive.
It’s the kind of car that quietly does all the right things while still putting a little smile on your face.
To give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota and other authoritative sources, including the EPA and TopSpeed.
This 10-Year-Old Hybrid Is More Reliable Than Brand-New Rivals
This decade-old hybrid outshines new models in reliability, proving that durability and efficiency don’t always come with a hefty price tag.
The Toyota Prius delivers efficiency and reliability like few cars can
A hybrid that’s practical, smooth, and actually enjoyable to drive
Honestly, saying the Prius is the most efficient Toyota in 2026 isn’t exactly breaking news.
It’s been setting the bar for efficiency for years, and for good reason.
As one of the first hybrids everyone could actually buy, this car practically invented what it means to save gas without sacrificing everyday usability.
57 mpg that keeps your wallet happy
The Prius achieves an impressive 57 mpg combined, topping every other car on sale in the U.S.
That figure applies to the base LE trim, though.
Adding all-wheel drive or opting for higher trims with larger 19-inch wheels will reduce efficiency slightly.
Choosing anything beyond the base LE, which comes standard with 19-inch wheels, brings the combined efficiency down to a still-respectable 52 mpg.
Add all-wheel drive, and the numbers shift a bit more: the LE drops to 54 mpg combined, while other trims with 19-inch wheels fall to 49 mpg.
Today’s Prius manages to be more efficient than the generation it replaces—even with a lot more power under the hood.
It wasn’t always taken seriously, though. For years, the Prius was the butt of motoring jokes, slow to accelerate and easy to pass.
Since 2023, it’s a different story: more powerful, more efficient, and only slightly less aerodynamic than before.
2026 Toyota Prius specs
|
Engine |
2.0-liter four-cylinder hybrid |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Drivetrain |
Front engine, FWD |
Front engine, AWD |
|
Power |
194 hp |
196 hp |
|
Torque |
N/A |
|
|
Transmission |
eCVT |
|
|
EPA combined mpg |
57 mpg (LE), 52 mpg (XLE, Nightshade, Limited) |
54 mpg (LE), 49 mpg (XLE, Nightshade, Limited) |
|
Base MSRP |
$28,550 |
Credit goes to the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS V), which builds on what THS IV started.
The updates are subtle but effective: stronger electric motors for quicker acceleration, more pure-electric driving, new lithium-ion batteries, and a smarter power control unit.
In the Prius, that adds up to 194 horsepower, or 196 with electronic AWD — a huge leap from the 121 horsepower the last generation offered.
Top 10 Most Efficient Hybrid Cars in 2025: Best Picks For Fuel Economy
These 10 hybrid cars deliver top-tier fuel efficiency without sacrificing performance or comfort.
More than just efficiency: what the Prius does best
Comfort, tech, and everyday usability all come together in one hybrid
When the 2023 Toyota Prius hit the streets, it stunned everyone with a serious glow-up.
The once-humble fastback sedan got a major makeover that turned heads.
Sleek, modern, and fully reinvented
And what a glow-up it got. The new fastback shape is sleek and futuristic, while the model it replaced looked… well, a little alien.
It didn’t help that the older Prius was everywhere—from family driveways to ride-sharing fleets. Even three years later, the 2026 Prius still manages to look sharp and confident.
Toyota was one of the first to bring the Hammerhead front fascia to the U.S., with its signature C-shaped LED headlights and daytime running lights. At the back, full-width LED taillights perfectly complement the smooth, modern rear design.
The base LE comes with 17-inch wheels. They look a bit small in the bigger wheel wells, but they’re a big reason the Prius hits such impressive efficiency.
Step up to the higher trims, and you get 19-inch wheels that really add style.
The trade-off? Those 195/50 R19 tires aren’t exactly standard, which could make replacements a bit tricky compared to the typical 225-width tires most 19-inch wheels use today.
A cabin that feels grown-up and refined
Back when the Prius first got its fastback shape, the interior was… quirky. A full-width digital gauge cluster dominated the dash and gave it a very unique vibe.
Now, Toyota has gone for a more traditional, sporty, and mature layout. The seven-inch digital gauges sit neatly behind the wheel, making the cabin feel familiar but modern.
An eight-inch infotainment screen comes standard, while the range-topping Limited gets a 12.3-inch display and a JBL sound system. Premium touches like a panoramic sunroof and powered tailgate are also reserved for the top trim.
Inside, the Prius is loaded with soft-touch surfaces and leatherette, with leatherette seating on every trim except the base LE.
The base LE might not feel premium, but it still packs modern essentials like wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, push-button start, single-zone climate control, and six USB-C ports scattered around the cabin.
The sloping roofline does cut a bit of rear headroom for taller passengers, but otherwise the Prius easily seats four adults—or five in a pinch.
This Hybrid Became the Benchmark for Longevity
The first hybrid showed it’s built to last, setting the bar for how tough a car can be.
Efficiency that’s anything but dull
The Prius proves saving fuel can be fun and practical
The Prius hasn’t turned into a sports sedan, and it wasn’t meant to.
Still, thanks to performance upgrades and the updated TNGA-C platform, it now carries a surprising dose of athleticism that previous models lacked.
Polished, precise, and thoughtfully designed
The Prius rides on a heavily reworked TNGA-C platform. While it’s technically a carryover, the updates are anything but minor.
Improvements in rigidity make for a composed and refined driving experience. It’s not quite Lexus-level smooth, but it’s the closest the Prius has ever come.
Even at higher speeds, the cabin stays quiet, and the 19-inch wheels don’t ruin the ride. Instead, they strike a good balance between style and supple handling.
A touch of sportiness in every drive
The Prius was designed to shake off Toyota’s “boring car” reputation, adding a touch of athleticism to its drive. Quick-ratio steering makes it feel sharper, while the balanced suspension keeps body control in check.
The steering is precise, though like many electric power systems, it doesn’t offer a ton of road feel. Still, it’s more confident and engaging than previous models.
Hard acceleration can bring some engine drone, but thanks to the stronger electric motors in THS V, it’s less noticeable than before. There’s also more opportunity for pure electric driving, making the experience quieter and smoother overall.