2018 Toyota Prius Review

　　

zzdcar' Expert Review

byWill KaufmanSenior Editor and Content Strategist, CarMax

　　Will Kaufman has worked in the automotive industry since 2017. He has written hundreds of car-related articles and reviews over the course of his career. Will is a senior editor and content strategist for CarMax at zzdcar. Will has been featured in the Associated Press and a number of major outlets on the topics of infotainment and vehicle data, vehicle subscription services and autonomous vehicles. Will started his career in online publishing by writing and editing standardized test guides, but he has a lot more fun writing about cars.

　　

What's new

There are no significant updates for 2018Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016

　　If you want pure efficiency and eco-friendly driving without the hassle of plugging in your car, the 2018 Toyota Prius remains at the top of the heap. Pretty much nothing short of a plug-in hybrid will return better real-world results.

　　We've had a 2016 Prius in our long-term test car fleet, and after more than a year we averaged about 50 mpg, even with thousands of miles spent in brutal Los Angeles traffic. We also appreciate the Prius' practicality and comfort, with its generous cargo area and smooth ride quality. Of course, the Prius compromises on acceleration and handling, proving less rewarding to drive than many traditionally powered vehicles. There's also the question of Toyota's infotainment system, which lacks some functionality, and the car's questionable styling.

　　If you're shopping for a hybrid, know that there's more competition than ever. The Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid actually claims slightly higher EPA-rated fuel economy than the Prius and offers a longer warranty. It certainly has a more functional interior with better technology, too. However, the Ioniq is even less satisfying to drive than the Prius, and it's a less comfortable place to spend time. There's also the Kia Niro hybrid, which has the look of an SUV, and a slew of midsize hybrid sedans to consider.

　　Still, there's a reason the Prius remains the king of the hybrid cars. If you put a premium on efficiency and value, you won't be disappointed by the Prius.

　　Notably, we picked the 2018 Toyota Prius as one of zzdcar' 2016 Prius and 2016 Prius for this year.

　　

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Toyota Prius of this generation, read about our experiences from 2016 Prius. After its debut, we went out and bought one, holding onto it for almost four years and racking up more than 30,000 miles. We cover everything from this hybrid's real-world fuel economy to seat comfort and cargo space. Please note that the 2018 Toyota Prius differs from our long-term 2016 model in that the newer model includes more standard safety features. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

　　

zzdcar' Expert Rating

7.8 / 10

　　If you want pure efficiency and eco-friendly driving without the hassle of plugging in your car, the 2018 Toyota Prius remains at the top of the heap. Pretty much nothing short of a plug-in hybrid will return better real-world results.

　　

Trim tested

　　Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the 2016 Toyota Prius Three Hatchback (1.8L inline-4 hybrid | CVT automatic | FWD).

　　NOTE: Since this test was conducted, the current Prius has received some revisions, including adjustments to trim-level features and expanded availability of active safety features. Our findings remain broadly applicable to this year's Toyota Prius.

　　

Scorecard

Overall	7.8 / 10
Driving	7.5
Comfort	8.0
Interior	8.5
Utility	8.0
Technology	6.5

　　

Driving

7.5

　　Fuel efficiency is the name of the game with the Prius, and the raw performance numbers reflect this. On its own, though, the Prius is a competent and efficient hatchback with solid handling and an easy-to-drive nature.

　　

Acceleration

6.0

　　Acceleration is adequate. A 9.8-second 0-60 mph time is near the bottom of the segment, though the Prius has enough zip off the line to feel lively around town.

　　

Braking

7.0

　　In our emergency braking test, the Prius posted average stopping performance. Except at crawling speeds, pedal feel is smooth and linear without any of the awkwardness indicative of many hybrid systems.

　　

Steering

7.0

　　The steering is direct, though it doesn't provide much feedback from the road. The system is well-weighted, and little effort is required to point the Prius in the intended direction without catching grooves or seams.

　　

Handling

7.5

　　The Prius feels responsive and reasonably agile on the street. Body roll is present and the tires fight for grip, but the car never feels unwieldy or dangerous. The Prius remains composed over midcorner bumps and dips.

　　

Drivability

8.5

　　The transition from EV to hybrid mode is unobtrusive, though the engine sounds harsh when firing up. Acceleration is smooth. The cruise control holds speed well going both up- and downhill.

　　

Comfort

8.0

　　The Prius is comfortable and quiet around town, especially in EV mode. The seats aren't class-leading, but they're comfortable and a step up from the previous model. It's only the buzzy engine that drags down the Prius' comfort level.

　　

Seat comfort

8.0

　　The seat offers a lot of vertical adjustment, but there's no lumbar adjustment. The seat cushion remains comfortable after long drives. The moderate side bolstering supports without squeezing.

　　

Ride comfort

9.0

　　The Prius is smooth and composed on the street. Rebound over bumps is minimal, and the car never feels too bouncy or too stiff. Broken or uneven pavement doesn't upset the car or translate into a harsh ride quality.

　　

Noise & vibration

7.0

　　Extremely quiet in EV mode, but the engine provides a noticeable hum, which is exacerbated when the transmission keeps the engine's rpm high. Wind noise is moderate and not overly booming.

　　

Climate control

7.0

　　Single-zone automatic climate control is standard across the board and works reasonably well. The S mode function smartly cuts airflow to unoccupied seats to reduce power use by the A/C system. The heated front seats adequately warm passengers, but the switches' awkward location (hidden under the center console) makes it easy to forget when they're on.

　　

Interior

8.5

　　The interior of the Prius is, unsurprisingly, both practical and spacious. The cargo area is roomy, and the large windows allow in plenty of light. The center-mounted gauge cluster and shifter design are odd.

　　

Ease of use

8.0

　　The touchscreen is user-friendly and very responsive, but other functions are controlled by touch-capacitive icons and not real buttons. Most controls are simple and well-placed, but the odd shifter design and center-mounted gauges provide no tangible benefit.

　　

Getting in/getting out

9.0

　　The Prius is quite easy to get in and out of. The doors open wide allowing easy access to the front. Rear-seat access is also good but is hampered slightly by the sloping roofline.

　　

Roominess

8.5

　　There's generous front head-, legroom and shoulder room. Rear seating is also very good.

　　

Visibility

8.5

　　Forward visibility is great, with large windows and a low dash providing a great view. Rear visibility is OK, but the split in the glass cuts through the sightline. Over-the-shoulder visibility is only slightly hindered by a sloping roof.

　　

Quality

8.0

　　The Prius feels solidly built, and overall it uses nice materials throughout the cabin. But it is beginning to slip behind competitors such as the Honda Insight and Accord Hybrid. The very plasticky white trim on the center console of certain models will prove polarizing for some buyers.

　　

Utility

8.0

　　Cargo space is abundant. The hatch provides plenty of space with the rear seats up or down. A cargo cover folds and stores easily when not in use. The deep console provides plenty of space up front.

　　

Small-item storage

8.0

　　Storage for small items is surprisingly good in this compact hatchback. If you aren't using the Qi charging pad, you can store plenty of stuff under the center stack. The center console is narrow but deep, and even the rear cupholders have decent depth. None of the door pockets are spacious.

　　

Cargo space

8.5

　　The Prius provides a generous cargo area (24.6 cubic feet), with folding rear seats for extra space. The rear seats fold flat relative to the ground, but there's a level change from the cargo load floor. We like that you can fold the rear seats without moving the front seats forward.

　　

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

　　The four lower LATCH anchors are large and easy to access, hidden thoughtfully behind leather flaps. Tethers are located halfway down the seatback, under cutouts in the seatback fabric. The tethers are impossible to access without removing the cargo cover first.

　　

Technology

6.5

　　Overall, the Prius' tech interface is functional but unattractive. There's only one USB port, but the available Qi pad keeps a phones charged up front, and the grippy surface does a good job of holding a phone in place. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not offered, and Toyota's Entune is a poor substitute.

　　

Audio & navigation

7.0

　　The touchscreen interface is ugly and sometimes cluttered, but it's functional and easy to operate once you get used to it. Onboard navigation is included on midtier models, and while the maps are less attractive than what you'll find on your smartphone, they offer a good alternative if you're without cell service. The screen washes out in direct sunlight.

　　

Smartphone integration

6.0

　　The Prius offers Toyota's in-house Entune software for smartphone integration. Setup requires a lengthy app download and account creation process. Entune's app support is meager and less intuitive than CarPlay or Android Auto (neither of which are offered). The Bluetooth menu offers better control and search functionality than most other Bluetooth systems. One USB and two 12-volt outlets are your charging options.

　　

Driver aids

7.5

　　A ton of driving aids are standard, and most are available on the lowly Prius Two trim. There's even an automated parking function on high-end models. Good feature availability, and most work well. Like many competing systems, the adaptive cruise control is overly sensitive, slamming on the brakes as drivers enter your lane.

　　

Voice control

7.0

　　Voice controls work reasonably well. There's some natural speech detection, so you don't have to follow the voice prompts religiously. You can interact with your phone's mobile assistant, but you hold the phone call button to access it, rather than the more common voice control button.

　　

Which Prius does zzdcar recommend?

　　Buyers looking to get the most bang for their buck should check out the Prius Two, which adds a rear windshield wiper and a few extra conveniences. Toyota is also including the Safety Plus package, with more active safety equipment such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, as a no-cost add-on.

　　

2018 Toyota Prius models

　　The 2018 Toyota Prius is a four-door hatchback that seats five passengers. It's available in seven trim levels: One, Two, Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four and Four Touring. The compact 2016 Prius and plug-in 2016 Prius are different models covered in separate reviews.

　　Power for all Prius trims comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors/generators. Their combined 121 horsepower is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to the front wheels.

　　The Prius One and Two are similarly equipped, with the One missing a few minor features, such as a rear window wiper. Otherwise, standard feature highlights for both include 15-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, keyless entry (driver door only) and ignition, automatic climate control, dual 4.2-inch driver information screens, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver seat, and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

　　Also standard is a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice recognition with Siri Eyes Free, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player. Standard safety features include automatic high beams, a rearview camera, forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, and lane departure warning and intervention.

　　The Prius Two also currently comes with the Safety Plus package as a no-cost add-on, which includes blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors and automated parking assist.

　　The more efficient Prius Two Eco is equipped with ultra-low-rolling resistance tires, a lighter lithium-ion hybrid battery, an inflation kit instead of a spare tire, and illuminated keyless entry. The rear wiper that comes standard on the Two trims is not offered, nor is the Safety Plus package. It returns an impressive 2016 Prius (58 city/53 highway).

　　Inside the Prius Three, you'll find simulated leather on the steering wheel and armrests, white interior accents, a wireless phone charging pad, and the Toyota Entune premium infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, and access to apps such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, OpenTable and Yelp when paired with a smartphone running the Entune app.

　　The Prius Four comes with automatic wipers, simulated leather upholstery with contrasting white stitching, heated front seats, a power driver seat with adjustable lumbar, seatback storage pockets and a rear cargo cover.

　　Standard equipment on the Three Touring or Four Touring includes everything from the corresponding Three or Four, plus 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, LED clearance lights, unique rear bumper styling, and imitation-leather upholstery with contrasting blue stitching.

　　Note that the aforementioned Safety Plus package is also a no-cost add-on for the Three and Four. The Prius Three and Four (but not the Touring versions) can also be upgraded with the Advanced Technology package, which consists of a sunroof and a head-up display. Finally, the Prius Four and Four Touring can be equipped with the Premium Convenience package, which includes a 10-speaker JBL audio system, a self-parking system and Safety Connect emergency services. The Safety Connect system that can be added to Prius Four and Four Touring is subscription-based (with a one-year free trial) and includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator, and one-touch access to roadside and emergency assistance.

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2018 Prius Highlights

Trim: OneTwoTwo EcoThreeThree TouringFourFour TouringOne

　　

Base MSRP	$23,475
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	52 MPG
Cost to Drive	$73/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	24.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles