Picture yourself traveling back to the peak era of V8 muscle cars in the late 1960s and early 1970s, but instead of driving one of those classic vehicles, you're behind the wheel of a brand new Prius hybrid—and outpacing nearly all of those iconic models in a drag race.
While achieving nearly 60 miles per gallon on average.
That’s essentially a win-win scenario.
What It Is
As everyone is aware, the Prius is a hybrid engineered to minimize gasoline consumption. The newest iteration of this compact five-door hatchback boasts even better fuel efficiency than previous models, achieving an average of 57 miles per gallon.
It is also the strongest — and fastest — Prius ever.
And it’s also the Prius with the least resemblance to a typical Prius, even more so than before.
The starting price is $28,350 for the entry-level LE trim, which includes 17-inch wheels, climate control, LED headlights, a digital instrument cluster, and an 8-inch touchscreen as standard features.
The following XLE trim model priced at $31,795 includes 19-inch wheels—these increase rolling resistance, leading to a notable drop in the Prius’ fuel efficiency down to 52 mpg. Additionally, this version comes with heated faux-leather seats, a heated steering wheel, and rear-seat cup holders. This particular trim can be equipped with an available all-wheel-drive option, raising the cost to $33,195.
The Nightshade edition priced at $32,560 comes with fly yellow exterior paint along with black anodized 19-inch wheels.
This configuration is also offered with AWD for $33,960.
The highest trim level, known as the Limited, has a price tag of $35,365 for the front-wheel drive variant and $36,765 for the all-wheel drive option. The pinnacle of comfort within the 2025 Prius lineup comes equipped with everything from the XLE model along with additional features such as a powered tailgate, cooled front seats, and an upscale eight-speaker JBL sound system.
What's New for 2025
The Nightshade edition is newly introduced for this model year.
What's Good
— The standard Prius typically achieves nearly 60 mpg — and can accelerate to 60 mph in approximately six seconds.
— No longer resembles Mrs. Doubtfire’s car.
— Despite being compact, the hatchback design provides more storage space (23.8 cubic feet) than what you'll find in any large sedan available today.
What's Not So Good
— A 5 mpg reduction occurs if you choose any trim level other than the base LE, as the higher trims come equipped with wheels that are two sizes bigger, adding extra weight and increasing rolling resistance.
— All-wheel drive (AWD) is exclusively offered with the XLE trim levels and above (the more costly options).
— It costs roughly $3,000 more upfront compared to a Hyundai Elantra hybrid.
Under the Hood
No matter the trim level, each Prius is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine combined with a hybrid system that assists in moving the vehicle and operating the amenities whenever the engine is off, which happens frequently to save fuel.
This combination boasts 194 horsepower, which provides an interesting historical perspective: it’s slightly more powerful than the approximately 190 horsepower claimed by a 1984 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 fitted with a 5.0-liter “high-output” V8 engine.
It did not have an average of 57 miles per gallon.
It failed to reach 60 mph in six seconds, but the new Prius accomplishes this feat.
A continuously variable transmission is included as standard, along with front-wheel drive. All-trim models offer an optional all-wheel-drive system, excluding the entry-level LE version. The basic LE model stands out since it’s the sole Prius variant that achieves an average of 57 mpg due to its default set of 17-inch tires instead of the larger 19-inch ones found on other trims. Opting for those bigger wheels reduces fuel efficiency by about 5 mpg; however, this still allows the vehicle to maintain an impressive average of around 52 mpg. This performance level closely matches that of the previous generation Prius equipped with just a 1.8-liter engine delivering 121 horsepower.
The advertisement highlighted an impressive fuel efficiency of 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. However, it didn’t mention that it could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in roughly six seconds. The previous model of the Prius required around 10 seconds for this acceleration, which is approximately four seconds more than what the newer Prius needs.
The previous Prius model was similarly not offered with all-wheel drive, likely due to the fact that this addition might have further delayed its acceleration time to reach 60 mph.
On the Road
It's somewhat peculiar — yet pleasantly so — to pilot a Prius that accelerates swiftly. It’s akin to regaining your fitness by indulging in hefty servings of pancakes drenched in syrup.
What's not to like?
One point – previously highlighted – is that the Prius has the potential to accelerate faster and reach 60 mph more quickly if equipped with 15-inch wheels instead of 17-inch ones. Reducing weight and rolling resistance would achieve this without significant expense. However, there may be a minor reduction in maximum cornering ability and slightly longer stopping distances during emergency stops. Yet, should these factors really matter much for a vehicle like this?
In reality, an '80s Z28 Camaro came equipped with just 16-inch wheels — despite being a high-performance vehicle powered by a V8 engine. Surprisingly enough, this model performed impressively both in handling and braking. The current trend of fitting large rims onto vehicles designed primarily for maximum fuel efficiency seems as absurd today as the use of codpieces did during the Renaissance period. Essentially, these oversized wheel attachments serve purely aesthetic purposes without adding much value, which doesn’t enhance their appearance at all.
The impressive aspect of this Prius is its ample power and performance. The outdated jokes about it being slow no longer hold true. It accelerates faster than many contemporary cars and crossovers. You can keep up with traffic speeds without having to gather momentum first, and merging onto highways becomes much easier as well. Now you can join main roads from side streets confidently without waiting excessively for an opening in traffic, thus avoiding the risk of accidents due to sluggish acceleration.
One less obvious advantage of having extra power is that the continuously variable transmission (CVT) now feels and sounds different from how it used to be. Previously, due to insufficient power in the older Prius model, nearly all available power had to be utilized just for basic acceleration. This made the CVT noticeable as it allowed the weak engine to reach its maximum rpm to maximize the limited power output, resulting in an unpleasant noise and driving experience. With the new surplus of power, this issue has been mitigated, improving both the sensation and audibility of the vehicle’s operation.
This particular Prius stands out differently. Moreover, Toyota’s continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) excel—both in their sensation and noise level—in comparison to many others due to their inclusion of a first gear or "launch" gear similar to traditional automatics. This feature probably contributes to their robustness and longevity as well.
Just like before, the car offers adjustable drive modes which allow you to fine-tune whether you prioritize performance or fuel efficiency from the hybrid powertrain. Additionally, there’s an EV mode enabling brief trips at lower speeds powered solely by electricity when the battery has been sufficiently recharged. In this iteration of the Prius, the battery gets replenished during normal operation through the gasoline engine and regenerative braking systems capturing energy normally lost during deceleration. Furthermore, there exists a plug-in variant of the Prius capable of being charged directly from an external electrical source; however, reviews for this specific model will come later.
At the Curb
When the first Prius debuted nearly 25 years ago, Toyota designed it with an unconventional appearance reminiscent of “Mrs. Doubtfire.” The latest model bears little resemblance to the vehicle driven by the character portrayed by Robin Williams in that film. Indeed, the new design is so distinct from the original Prius that you wouldn’t recognize it as part of the lineup without the emblem identifying it as such.
It’s stylish and even provocative, qualities that were absent from Mrs. Doubtfire's automobile.
It’s significantly bigger overall. Despite its sleek sports sedan appearance, this new model offers considerably more interior space in every dimension compared to what one might expect from its look. Originally, in 2001, the first-generation Prius measured at merely 169.6 inches in length—falling into the category of a subcompact—with storage capacity limited to an 11.6-cubic-foot trunk space. In contrast, the 2025 version extends to 181.1 inches in length (approximately adding up to a foot over the original), providing double the luggage volume with its spacious 23.8-cubic-foot rear compartment.
However, what’s truly remarkable when you look at it is that the '25 model offers similar headspace both upfront and in the rear, despite appearing to sit considerably closer to the ground. Specifically, it seems to have a more sloped roofline, which indeed it does. The latest Prius boasts a sleek, angled rooftop that measures only 55.9 inches from the ground. In comparison, the original Prius had an overall height of 57.6 inches but appeared to be higher than it actually was.
In essence, similar to how Toyota succeeded in making the new car nearly double as fast from zero to 60 mph compared to the original Prius while boosting its fuel efficiency, the updated Prius is also more spacious and practical than its predecessor. Additionally, it doesn’t evoke memories of Mrs. Doubtfire like the old model did.
Toyota excels in this aspect—as they do with their other models—by sidestepping the common pitfall of relying solely on touch and swipe interfaces. An LCD touchscreen is included, naturally. However, there’s also a physical (rotary control) knob for adjusting audio volume, complemented by a backup switch on the steering wheel. Additionally, switches are provided for controlling seat heaters and climate settings.
One tidy feature integrated into the center console is a charging holder designed to keep your phone securely in place, preventing it from sliding around randomly; this holder is positioned to the right of the gear selector — which mimics the appearance and feel of conventional designs instead of the original Prius’ switch-style mechanism. Additionally, another more subtle detail is the dashboard’s lower profile, significantly enhancing visibility ahead. This design element also gives you the sensation of piloting an aircraft.
An emotion that intensifies when you press down on the accelerator.
The Rest
The latest Prius doesn’t cost as much as the original Prius when adjusted for inflation—especially considering how values have changed since 2001. At that time, a brand-new Prius was priced slightly under $20,000, which equates to around $36,000 in current money. Conversely, the ‘25 Prius is approximately $7,500 cheaper upfront compared to the first-generation model, plus it’s more fuel-efficient to operate. However, purchasing one still seems pricier due to needing to use those now-depreciated dollars.
If you’re looking for an option that’s more budget-friendly yet offers impressive fuel efficiency, consider the Hyundai Elantra Hybrid, starting at $25,450 with claimed figures of 51 mpg in the city and 58 mpg on the highway. However, this model comes equipped with just 139 horsepower altogether—similarly swift to a 2001 original Toyota Prius.
An alternative choice could be the Honda Civic Hybrid, boasting 200 horsepower—marginally higher than the latest Prius model—but comes with a pricier starting point of $28,950. Despite this cost increase over the Prius, the Civic Hybrid delivers less impressive fuel economy, achieving just 50 mpg in urban areas and dropping further to 47 mpg during highway travel, significantly below what you might expect from the Prius under similar conditions—at minimum for the standard LE version equipped with energy-efficient 17-inch tires.
The Bottom Line
They say you can't have your cake and eat it too. However, the newest Prius shows this isn’t always true.
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