History/Overview
Through four generations, the Toyota Prius has become synonymous with hybrid motoring in a practical, well-designed family car. Toyota gave the Prius its last full redesign in 2016 and refreshed it for 2019, adding the car's first-ever AWD option, which places an electric motor at the rear axle for on-demand four-wheel traction.
What's New / Key Changes from Last Year
For 2020, the Toyota Prius gets a standard 7.0-inch infotainment display with Apple CarPlay compatibility. Certain trims also add the Toyota Connected Services suite.
Available Trims
Toyota offers the Prius in base and Technology trims. Both models can be optioned with e-AWD and all Prius models use a 1.8L gas engine that works with the car's battery and electric motor(s), and a continuously variable transmission.
Standard Features
The base Prius comes with Toyota's full suite of active safety features, called Toyota Safety Sense, which includes automatic high beams, radar cruise control, forward collision detection with automatic braking and lane departure alert with steering assist.
Also standard are power door locks, passive keyless entry, a 7.0-inch infotainment display, Apple CarPlay, a six-speaker stereo, heated front seats, cloth upholstery, six-way driver and four-way front passenger manual seat adjustments, air conditioning with automatic climate control, tilt-and-telescopic steering, 15-inch alloy wheels and LED headlights, taillights and daytime running lights.
Technology trim adds blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert, wireless smartphone charging, satellite radio, an eight-way power driver's seat with lumbar, Softex upholstery, heated steering wheel trimmed in synthetic leather, auto-dimming rearview mirror, rain-sensing wipers and a sunroof.
Key Options
The Technology model can be optioned with an Advanced package that adds auto-levelling adaptive headlights, garage door opener, head-up display and intelligent parking assist with clearance sonar. It also includes the e-AWD system.
Fuel Economy
Toyota's fuel consumption estimates for the Prius are 4.4/4.6 L/100 km (city/highway) for FWD models and 4.5/4.9 with e-AWD.
Competition
The Prius's direct competition is more limited than you'd think. The Hyundai Ioniq apes the Prius formula as a compact hatchback verging on mid-size. The Kia Niro is a compact wagon offered exclusively with electrified powertrains. The Honda Insight is a compact hybrid sedan aimed at Prius shoppers.
