2027 Toyota Prius PHEVtoyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: ToyotaAdvertisementAdvertisementPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaPhoto credit: toyotaAdvertisementAdvertisementZippy and nimblePlenty of EV driving rangeStriking exterior stylingSlightly odd interior layoutNoisy at speedWorth the extra price?For buyers seeking even greater efficiency than the standard Prius, the Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV) adds all-electric driving capability. Previously called the Prius Prime, it pairs the Prius' features and sleek hatchback design with a larger battery and stronger electric motor.The current Prius generation made its debut for 2023 and went on to earn MotorTrend's 2024 Car of the Year award. Electrified rivals include the Kia Sportage PHEV, Nissan Leaf, and Tesla Model 3.What's NewThe only changes applied to the Prius Plug-In Hybrid are the addition of dual-zone climate control and the introduction of a new black paint color called Inked.What We ThinkThis Prius is fun, stylish, and has a plug that changes how it drives. The Prius Plug-In Hybrid combines striking design with crisp steering, composed handling, and surprising electric-assisted punch—its acceleration is genuinely quick.AdvertisementAdvertisementFor drivers seeking ultimate efficiency, the SE trim is the one to get. Its smaller wheels improve ride, efficiency, and ample electric range. Higher-end versions like the XSE Premium we drove for an entire year trade some of that EV potential for equipment and flash but still save fuel by providing enough electric driving range for most daily tasks.Although this is clearly the best-looking Prius ever, its design comes with some compromises. The low roof limits rear visibility, headroom, and cargo space. The tiny gauge display is awkward, materials are only decent, and the noisy cabin can reduce the sense of quality. Regenerative braking capability also falls short of the one-pedal driving some full EVs provide.Drivers who can plug in regularly yet want effortless road-trip range will find the Prime unusually convincing. More efficient than a regular gas car and easier to live with than an all-electric vehicle, the Prius PHEV could be the best of both worlds.Top-Ranked Competitors:Nissan LeafKia Sportage PHEVTesla Model 3Toyota RAV4 PHEVMotorTrend TestedLike the standard Prius, the Prius PHEV uses a 2.0-liter I-4 engine. However, it gets a stronger electric motor, which takes total output to 220 hp, a notable increase from the regular version's 194 hp.AdvertisementAdvertisementThat puts the Prius PHEV's 0–60-mph time at 6.4 seconds, compared to the Prius' 7.2-second run. A trade-off to this is that the Prius PHEV is not available with AWD, as the standard Prius is.MPGs and EV RangeIn hybrid mode, the Prius PHEV delivers roughly 50 mpg in combined fuel economy, comparable to the standard Prius. It can travel more than 550 miles on a full tank of gas; some regular Prius trims can do more than 600 miles between fill-ups.The Prius PHEV's main advantage is electric driving. Its fully charged 13.6-kWh battery provides an estimated 40 to 45 miles of EV range, at speeds up to 84 mph—although we've gotten nearly 50 miles out of a charge.Charging is handled through a J1772 port; the Prius PHEV doesn't have NACS yet. A 3.5-kW maximum rate means a Level 2 recharge takes about four hours, while Level 1 requires overnight charging. An available solar roof can also feed energy back into the battery.Safety Ratings and FeaturesIn its most recent crash testing evaluations for 2026, the Toyota Prius earned IIHS Top Safety Pick+ status and a NHTSA five-star overall rating. These are the best possible results.Standard FeaturesEvery Prius PHEV has front automatic emergency braking, side and rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beams, and rain-sensing windshield wipers among its standard equipment. Toyota's Proactive Driving Assist system scans the road ahead to provide subtle speed and steering assistance.Cargo Space and Interior RoomUnlike some plug-in hybrids, the Prius Prime and standard Prius have identical interior measurements. The hatchback body style provides useful cargo space. However, taller occupants might feel cramped.TechnologyInfotainmentThe Prius has a 7.0-inch gauge display as standard. It's also equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are four USB-C ports for the front seats and another two in the back seats.AdvertisementAdvertisementA 7.0-inch gauge cluster display is standard in every Prius. Base models are equipped with an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen that has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. There are six USB-C ports: four up front, and two in back.Sound SystemThe XSE Premium trim has an eight-speaker JBL audio system. All other models have a basic six-speaker system.Available UpgradesA 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is optional or included depending on trim. Other tech upgrades include a wireless charging pad, 360-degree camera, and built-in dashcam.ValueStandard FeaturesPricing for the 2027 Prius PHEV starts at slightly more than $35,000 in SE trim, about $5,000 more than the basic Prius LE non-plug in. The Prius PHEV SE's standard exterior features include 17-inch wheels, LED headlights and taillights, heated side mirrors, and painted door handles.AdvertisementAdvertisementInside, there's an 8.0-inch touchscreen, cloth seat upholstery, a leatherette-wrapped steering wheel, push-button starter, and one-touch windows all around.Recommended TrimGet the Prius PHEV XSE, which is priced from approximately $38,500. It gets upgrades including 19-inch wheels, a wireless charging pad, heated front seats, front and rear cupholders, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Red-accented leatherette upholstery adds some pizzazz.