2025 Toyota Prius PHEV

Pros 

• Shows how a car that uses less gasoline may still be appealing.
• Strong enough to handle traffic and provide outstanding fuel efficiency.
• Capable of traveling about 40 kilometers using solely power.
• User-friendly infotainment system.

Cons

• The elegant form slices people and stuff into space.
• The steering wheel obscures the gauge cluster, making it hard to see.
• When the gasoline engine begins, it creates noise.

How is the plug-in hybrid Prius powered? The Prius Plug-in Hybrid occasionally seems more like an EV than a normal hybrid, particularly in city driving, due to its instant torque, which gives the vehicle a snappy and nimble sensation. It may also go on highways without a gasoline engine. You can floor the accelerator in EV mode, but the gas engine will not start.

However, we discovered that the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is significantly faster when the electric motor and engine work together. At the Invoice Pricings’ test track, our test vehicle accelerated from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.9 seconds. The basic Prius takes 7.7 seconds longer. The Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s road composure has also been improved by structural modifications and reworked suspension elements in several sections when compared to the previous generation Prius. Although the steering is numb, it tracks straight on the highway and feels accurate when making rapid corners.

To what degree is the Prius Plug-In Hybrid comfortable? The front seats of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid offer enough support for lengthy periods. The back seats are also quite comfortable. We love how smoothly the automobile handles uneven ground and obstructions. However, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid isn’t entirely comfortable to drive due to excessive tire, wind, and engine noise when accelerating. There is only one climate zone, and the most recent Prius no longer has some of the more sophisticated climate settings featured in older models, such as the ability to turn off fans in all seats except the driver to boost efficiency.

How’s the interior? The inside of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is practical and easy to operate, thanks to a typical dashboard design and strategically placed controls. The digital instrument cluster is less appealing. It appears cluttered due to the excessive display of information and is also unusual in shape and placement. When the majority of our drivers positioned the seat and steering wheel as desired, the top of the steering wheel slightly blocked their view of the display.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s most recent design has considerably reduced visibility and backseat capacity compared to earlier models. To get inside the back, you have to kneel down somewhat. If you are taller than six feet, you will not have much headroom until you enter. The back roof pillars are high, and the rear window is short and curved, making visibility difficult.

How’s the technology? The larger 12.3-inch center touchscreen was added to our Prius Plug-in Hybrid XSE test vehicle. We like Toyota’s most recent entertainment system’s clean interface, quickness, and Google-powered navigation. Higher trim levels have a wireless charging pad, as well as standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connection. However, your phone will feel warm after an hour or two because it has not been cooled. If you prefer to charge using a more traditional method, there are multiple USB-C ports available throughout the cabin.

When adaptive cruise control is activated, the hybrid accelerates and brakes smoothly, and the lane-keeping assist technology effectively maintains it centered in its lane. Proactive Driving Assist is an additional function that provides the driver with unobtrusive hints during regular driving conditions. As you let go of the gas, the Prius will softly start to brake to warn you to slow down if the traffic in front of you slows. When the car in front of you moves away, it flashes an LED strip on the dashboard. During our testing, this system never appeared invasive, even though it could easily be annoying enough to turn it off.

The Traffic Jam Assist system performs the reverse. When adaptive cruise is enabled and the vehicle is traveling at 25 mph or less, it allows for hands-free driving. To guarantee that the driver is paying attention, the device has an infrared camera that reads the driver’s face. However, even when Traffic Jam Assist is turned off, the camera is continually watching, and it is extremely sensitive. If you move your gaze away from the instrument cluster for even a moment (for example, to adjust the climate controls), it is constantly inundated with alarms. Furthermore, because it cannot see your face, the car will warn you to “sit up” if you are driving with one hand on top of the wheel.

How’s the storage situation? The Prius Plug-in Hybrid, like the conventional Prius, has 20.3 cubic feet of cargo capacity behind the rear seats when the hatchback is opened. Despite having less cargo capacity than earlier Prius models, it is still larger than the trunk of a sedan of the same size. We couldn’t fit a set of golf clubs lengthwise across the back of the car since it’s shallower and skinnier than before. Although the taller cargo floor may seem otherwise, there is no underfloor storage.

The Prius Plug-in Hybrid has a helpful rubberized area beneath the dash for storing small items, as well as a slender but wide center console bin in front. Conveniently, the gear shifter is next to the wireless charging pad. The cupholders can hold most water bottles and are slightly larger than average.

What’s the fuel efficiency? According to EPA estimations, the SE and XSE versions of the Prius Plug-in Hybrid have a range of 44 and 40 miles, respectively. In terms of plug-in hybrids, this is exceptional. However, the Prius Plug-In Hybrid struggled to fulfill those targets on Invoice Pricings’ standardized test route. Before the battery expired and the gas engine started, our XSE test vehicle had barely traveled 33.7 miles. Overall, the Prius Plug-in Hybrid is an incredibly efficient vehicle. Our XSE test vehicle averaged 50.9 mpg when driving.

According to Toyota, charging the Prius Plug-in Hybrid’s 13.6-kWh battery pack using a 240-volt charger takes about four hours.

Is the Prius Plug-In Hybrid an affordable option? Toyota offers both a three-year/36,000-mile standard warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. However, hybrids such as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid have a battery warranty of up to ten years/150,000 miles, while the electrical components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles. Additionally, Toyota provides free maintenance for two years, which is uncommon outside of the premium market. 

Although the Prius’s price has risen, the Plug-in Hybrid’s greater EV capabilities have at least partially offset the increase. Increasing range leads to even reduced gas consumption, which can speed the accumulation of savings. Although the interior of the Prius has improved with the latest generation, certain hard plastic pieces remain apparent. When you close the doors, they make a tinny sound and feel fragile.

The Plug-in Hybrid continues the Prius’ extraordinary transformation from the “ugliest car” to something streamlined and unified, thanks to its expanded electric range and performance potential. It offers an EV-like experience rather than a glorified hybrid, and you can still get more than 50 mpg once the battery runs out. The Plug-in Hybrid’s efficiency, enjoyment, and higher value make it more enticing than the standard Prius.

We recommend getting the midlevel XSE grade because it includes options like wireless smartphone charging, front and rear parking sensors, and heated front seats that should appeal to most consumers. If you want the best fuel economy and the greatest all-electric driving range, go with the more economical SE model.