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2016 Toyota Prius

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Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

Select a Trim
Select a Trim
2016 Two 5dr Hatchback
most popular
Price:   -  From $24,200
2016 Two Eco 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $24,700
2016 Three 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $26,250
2016 Three Touring 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $28,100
2016 Four 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $28,650
2016 Four Touring 5dr Hatchback Price:   -  From $30,000

Overview

The hybrid that started it all, Toyota's Prius continues to win buyers with its unmatched efficiency and proven technology. When you consider its other virtues, like practicality and value, it's easy to see why the Prius remains the most recognized example of hybrid power on the road.

What's New for 2016

The Prius has been completely redesigned.

Toyota Prius

Choosing Your Toyota Prius

Toyota Prius

Although the new Prius hasn't changed much in silhouette, you'll find radically different styling at the front and rear, plus a thoroughly modern interior with more front seat room and cargo space. A new suspension setup provides sharper handling and a calmer ride.

As before, the Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors, one of which doubles as a generator to keep the lithium-ion battery pack charged. Combined output is 121 horsepower, delivered to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). The Prius has finally broken through the 10-second barrier in zero-to-60 mph acceleration, doing the sprint in the 9.8 seconds. As expected, efficiency is stellar at 52 mpg in combined driving. The new Eco version of the Prius does even better at 56 mpg combined.

The Prius is available in no less than six trim levels:

Toyota Prius
  • Two: Comes fully equipped with automatic climate control, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio, keyless ignition, a split-folding rear seat, and a six-speaker sound system. The dash holds dual driver information displays and a 6.1-inch touchscreen. On the outside are 15-inch alloy wheels and full LED lighting.
  • Two Eco: Delivers 4 mpg additional thanks to special tires, a lighter battery pack, and a tire inflation kit instead of a spare. The standard rear wiper is also deleted.
  • Three: Furnishes a leatherette interior with white accents, a wireless phone charging pad, and Toyota's Entune infotainment system with navigation, satellite and HD radio, and numerous integrated Smartphone apps. The available Advanced Technology package tacks on a sunroof, a head-up display, and the Toyota Safety Sense package with adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist, automatic high beams, and front collision warning.
Toyota Prius
  • Three Touring: Gets the Advanced Technology contents as standard, plus 17-inch wheels, foglamps, LED running lights, a unique rear bumper design, and blue seat stitching.
  • Four: Builds on the basic Three with heated front seats with driver power, automatic wipers, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a cargo area cover. The Advanced Technology package remains optional. The Four is also eligible for a Premium Convenience package consisting of a 10-speaker JBL sound system, an automated parking system, and Toyota's Safety Connect telematics service.
  • Four Touring: Combines the Touring content with the Four's higher level of standard equipment. The Premium Convenience package continues as an option.
CarsDirect Tip

The price difference between the base Two and Two Eco is just $500, a small amount for efficiency bragging rights. If you're looking on the higher end of the range, the Touring models, with their standard safety technology and interesting visual tweaks, are the way to go in our book.

Get your price on a Toyota Prius »

Read our review on the Toyota Prius »

Toyota Prius
author image
Automotive Editor
Read Less

Expert Review

Expert Rating
Unavailable

Our expert ratings are based on seven comprehensive criteria: quality, safety, comfort, performance, fuel economy, reliability history and value.

You can interpret our ratings in the following way:

: Outstanding vehicle. Only the most exceptional vehicles achieve this rating.

: Very Good vehicle. Very good and close to being the best vehicle in its class.

: Good vehicle. Decent, but not quite the best. Often affordable, but lacking key features found in vehicles of the same class.

: Below average vehicle. Not recommended, and lacking attributes a car buyer would come to expect for the price.

: Poor vehicle. Simply does not deserve to be on the road.

author image
Automotive Editor

The car that brought hybrid power to main street, the Prius has undergone a full redo with emphasis on style and performance. Rest assured that its key attribute—efficiency—continues stronger than ever.

Equipment and Pricing

The model lineup has been expanded to include the new Eco and Touring subtrims:

  • The entry-level Two ($24,200) packs a healthy amount of equipment for a midsize car, including a rearview camera, automatic climate control, full LED exterior lighting, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen interface.
  • Priced at $24,700, the Two Eco receives special tires, a lighter battery pack, and other tweaks for enhanced efficiency.
  • The $26,250 Three gives you a leatherette interior and Toyota's Entune infotainment system with navigation, satellite and HD radio, and numerous Smartphone apps. The optional Advanced Technology package tacks on the Toyota Safety Sense suite and a sunroof for $1,935.
  • For $28,100, you can upgrade to the Three Touring, which comes standard with the contents of the Advanced Technology, plus distinctive trim throughout.
  • The Four ($28,650) builds on the basic Three with heated front seats with driver power, automatic wipers, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a cargo area cover. For $3,650, you can combine the Advanced Technology package with a Premium Convenience package, which includes a JBL sound system and an automated parking system.
  • At the top of line, the $30,000 Four Touring comes standard with everything you can get on the lesser trims except the Premium Convenience package, which can be added for $1,705.

Performance Pros

Toyota Prius

The Prius is powered by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors, one of which doubles as a generator to keep the lithium-ion battery pack charged. Combined output is 121 horsepower, delivered to the front wheels through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT).

Performance highlights include:

  • Fuel Efficiency: No surprise here—efficiency is superb at 52 mpg in combined city and highway driving. The new Eco version of the Prius does even better at 56 mpg combined.
  • Steering/Handling: A new suspension setup provides more precise handling and greater composure over imperfect roads. The revamped Prius is fun to drive so long as you respect its limits.
  • Hybrid Technology: There's nothing experimental going on under the hood. Although it may seem novel, the Prius's hybrid system has performed as promised in millions of owner-driven vehicles.

Performance Cons

  • Although the Prius is a tick faster than before, power is still modest. The holy mission here is efficiency, and acceleration suffers as a result.
  • There is no plugin version, which leaves us wondering what level of efficiency the Prius could really achieve.

Interior Pros

  • Even with the rear seat occupied, you get nearly 25 cubic feet of cargo space, the same as some small crossovers.
  • The cabin is far quieter this year, free of the mechanical drones that haunted previous editions.

Interior Cons

  • The flamboyant dashboard will remind you of a 1960s vision of the future. The centrally located instrument pod doesn't help matters.
  • The sloping roofline makes the back seat a no-go zone for tall passengers.

The Most Pleasant Surprise

Toyota Prius

We had no trouble duplicating the Prius's lofty mileage ratings. This is one car where what you see on the window sticker is what you get in the real world.

The Least Pleasant Surprise

The "bold" new exterior looks like an exercise in origami. It might even be a deal-killer for some buyers.

The Bottom Line

When a car sticks to its core principles so faithfully, who cares what it looks like?

Read Less

Specs & Features

Highlights
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 95 HP / 105 ft.lbs.
Transmission
2-spd CVT w/OD
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Highway/Combined
54 / 50 / 52 Mpg
Passenger Capacity
5
Bumper to Bumper Warranty
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Mechanical Specs
Engine - Cylinders/Horsepower/Torque
1.8L I-4 / 95 HP / 105 ft.lbs.
Drive Type
Front-wheel
Fuel Economy - City/Hwy/Combined
54 / 50 / 52 Mpg
Brakes
4-wheel Disc
Front Suspension
Strut
Rear Suspension
Independent Multi-link
Spare Tire And Wheel
Compact Steel
Fuel Tank
11.3 Gal.
Recommended Fuel Type
Regular Unleaded
Average Cost To Fill Tank
$43
Dimensions & Capabilities
Maximum Cargo Volume
Passenger Volume
93 Cu.ft.
Exterior Length
178.7 "
Exterior Width
69.3 "
Exterior Height
58.1 "
Front Headroom
39.4 "
Rear Headroom
37.4 "
Front Legroom
43.2 "
Rear Legroom
33.4 "
Front Shoulder Room
55.0 "
Rear Shoulder Room
53.0 "
Front Hip Room
Rear Hip Room
Curb Weight
3,075 Lbs.
Wheel Base
106 "
Turning Radius
16.7 '
Exterior Features
Door Count
4 Doors
Wheels
15.0 " Aluminum / 15.0 " Silver Aluminum
Paint
Clearcoat Monotone / Metallic Monotone / Pearlcoat Monotone / Monotone
Exterior Mirrors
Dual Power Remote Heated
Bumpers
Body-colored
Grille Moldings
Black
Rear Spoiler
Exhaust
Stainless Steel
Interior Features
Seating
Passenger Capacity
5
Seat Trim
Cloth
Front Seat Type
Bucket
Heated Front Seats
Front Driver Seat Direction Controls
6-way
Front Passenger Seat Direction Controls
4-way
Front Armrests
6-way
Rear Armrests
Center
Rear Seats
60-40 Bench
Radio & Infotainment
Radio
Am/fm, Seek-scan
Speakers
6
Radio Steering Wheel Controls
Apple Car Play
Android Auto
Bluetooth w/ Hands-Free Connectivity
Convenience Features
Steering Wheel Type
Telescopic Tilt
Climate Control
Automatic Air Conditioning
Cruise Control
With Steering Wheel Controls
Sun Roof
Rearview Mirror
Day-night
One Touch Open Window
Front And Rear
Tinted Windows
Light
Vanity Mirrors
Dual Illuminated
Remote Keyless Entry
Keyfob (all Doors)
Power Outlets
2
Safety Features
Overall Crash Safety Rating
Overall Front Crash Safety Rating
Overall Side Crash Safety Rating
Rollover Crash Safety Rating
Front Impact Airbags
Driver And Passenger
Driver Side Impact Airbags
Seat Mounted
Knee Airbag
Driver
Passenger Side Impact Airbag
Seat Mounted
Rear Side Airbag
Seatbelt Pretensioners
Front
Anti-Lock Brakes
4-wheel Anti-lock Brakes (abs)
Forward Collision Warning
Blind Spot Sensor
Lane Departure Warning
Autonomous Cruise Control
Pedestrian Detection
Driver Attention Alert
Daytime Running Lights
Auto High Beams
Adaptive Headlights
Parking Sensors
Security Systems
Panic Alarm
Ignition Disable
Immobilizer
Warranty
Bumper To Bumper Months Miles
36 Months / 36,000 Miles
Major Components Months
60 Months / 60,000 Miles
Included Maintenance Months
24 Months / 25,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance Months
36 Months / Unlimited Miles
Corrosion Perforation
60 Months / Unlimited Miles
Accessories Months
36 Months / 36,000 Miles

Used 2016 Toyota Prius for Sale

5 vehicles found within 50 miles of your area
Toyota
Three
Price

$13,493

Mileage

100,530 mi

Map location icon

Premium Autos (22 mi)

Phone: (951) 384-2436
Toyota
Four
Color: Black
Price

$14,197

Mileage

125,572 mi

Map location icon

Auto Connections (33 mi)

Phone: (949) 397-0003
Toyota
Four Touring
Color: White
Price

$15,990

Mileage

117,174 mi

Map location icon

Stadium Auto California (33 mi)

Phone: (888) 287-0448
Toyota
Two 5dr Hatchback
Color: Super White
Price

$20,079

Mileage

41,035 mi

Map location icon

California Motors Direct - Santa Ana (35 mi)

Phone: (714) 515-6100
See All Used Car Listings

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