Textual content by Tom Appel
2026 Toyota Prius Nightshade PHEV
Specs
Class: Compact Automotive
Nation of Manufacture: Japan
Coloration: Karashi
Seating Capability: 5
Miles pushed: 100
Actual-world gas economic system: 90.9 mpg
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Consolation | B- |
| Energy and Efficiency | B |
| Match and End | C |
| Gasoline Economic system | A |
| Worth | B+ |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus different autos in the identical class. Worth grade is for particular trim degree evaluated, and should not replicate Client Information’s impressions of all the mannequin lineup. | |
| Large & Tall Consolation | |
| Large Man | B- |
| Tall Man | C |
| Large & Tall consolation scores are for entrance seats solely. “Large” score primarily based on male tester weighing roughly 350 kilos, “Tall” score primarily based on 6’6″-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 220-horsepower 2.0-liter |
| Engine Sort | Hybrid 4-cylinder |
| Transmission | CVT computerized |
| Drive Wheels | Entrance-wheel drive |
Driving combine: 65% metropolis, 35% freeway
EPA-estimated gas economic system: 114 MPGe/48 mpg (metropolis/freeway mixed)
EPA-estimated battery vary: 39 miles
Gasoline kind: Common fuel
Base worth: $37,795 (not together with $1195 vacation spot cost)
Choices on take a look at automobile: Digital key functionality ($275), Toyota Audio Multimedia with 12.3-inch touchscreen ($6100), glass roof ($1000), key gloves ($20), wheel locks ($90), ground and cargo mats ($319)
Value as examined: $41,304
Execs and Cons
The nice: Trendy design, glorious gas economic system
The nice: Enjoyable to drive, good energy
The not so good: Much less passenger house than earlier Prius generations
Assessment
After higher than 20 years because the Toyota model’s effectivity flagship, the Prius has come to a profession crossroads. As soon as an business image of peerless gas economic system, the automotive is now simply considered one of 15 hybrid fashions supplied by the Japanese carmaker, lots of which serve up mileage rivaling that of the Prius.
Toyota Hybrids
In actual fact, quite a lot of Toyota fashions are actually supplied ONLY in hybrid type, Together with the Camry midsize sedan, Sienna minivan, and, for 2026, the best-selling RAV4 compact crossover. It’s laborious to not think about that the poor Prius has gotten misplaced in all this mass-market effectivity.
Attractive Prius
Toyota did give its effectivity legend a makeover for 2023, and in doing so, narrowed its market focus and redefined its mission. A whole redesign introduced with it—dare we are saying it?—an attractive new look, a sportier cabin, and a brand new degree of youth attraction.
Design Compromises
The redesign did take a toll, nevertheless, lowering inside house considerably, and compromising cabin entry—this as a result of new decrease roofline. However the brand new design is contemporary, and Toyota has been playfully providing the up to date Prius in enjoyable colours, together with Karashi, as seen right here.
Along with being the primary good trying instance, the present Prius additionally boasts a plug-in hybrid powertrain—dubbed PHEV for 2026–one thing just one different Toyota mannequin, the RAV4, can declare.
So, is the Prius Toyota’s solely attractive plug-in hybrid? We’d argue sure, however query whether or not that alone will command gross sales. Fortunately, the Prius PHEV Hybrid can also be an excellent automotive.
Trim Ranges and Costs
For 2026, the Prius PHEV household expands by one trim degree. Right here’s the lineup:
- SE ($34,970)
- XSE ($38,220)
- Nightshade ($38,990)
- XSE Premium ($41,665)
The PHEV is obtainable in the identical trim ranges as the standard Prius, which every operating about $5000 larger than the usual automotive.
Nightshade
The brand new Nightshade builds on the XSE, including black wheels and blackout exterior trim, particular faux-leather upholstery, and simulated carbon-fiber cabin trim parts. The Nightshade can also be supplied in unique exterior colours, resembling Karashi. For simply $770, we’d say the transfer up the Nightshade is well worth the cash, offered you just like the look.
Engines
Whereas typical Prii (that’s the precise, Toyota-approved, plural of Prius) make do with a 2.0-liter motor augmented with two electrical motors, the PHEV provides to {that a} 16.6 kWh battery and exterior charging. The PHEV is rated at a mixed system output of 220 horsepower, 26 greater than the front-wheel drive typical Prius. Notice, too, that the usual Prius can he had with AWD, which the PHEV can not.
Absolutely charged, the Prius PHEV guarantees as much as 44 miles for the SE trim degree with its smaller wheels, and 39 miles for different PHEV variants.
Take a look at vehicles
Client Information just lately spent per week behind the wheel of a 2026 Prius PHEV is Nightshade trim. Together with vacation spot cost, our take a look at automotive got here to $41,304.
Refinement
We focus on typically how clean a plug-in hybrid automobile may be whereas working solely on battery energy, and the Prius PHEV is not any exception. However not like quite a lot of plug-in vehicles and crossovers we’ve examined, the Prius stays moderately refined after transitioning to standard fuel/hybrid operation.
Energy and Perfomance
Certainly, Toyota’s mastery of hybrid know-how is such that we doubt most customers would notice they have been driving one of many model’s hybrids except alerted to the actual fact.
Energy is sweet, too. In actual fact, the Prius PHEV feels darn proper sporty—very a lot not like earlier generations of the legendary gas miser. Dealing with is tight and nimble, the brakes really feel fairly good, and the steering is firmer and extra linked feeling than in most small sedans. The drivetrain even sounds just a little saucy, one thing for which hybrids are typically not identified.
Gasoline Economic system
Moreover, over 100 miles of routine testing, with one full battery cost, we averaged 90.9 mpg, proof that the plug-in hybrid mannequin works, offering you truly plug-in.
Our complaints with the Prius, the few we now have, come contained in the automobile. And, generationally talking, are comparatively new to the mannequin.
Room and Consolation
The brand new rakish roofline, for instance, takes a toll on ingress and egress. Taller people used to moving into and out of a Prius with relative ease, want take heed of the roofline, as bumping your head on the way in which into the entrance row just isn’t out of this query. Take this editors phrase for it.
Trip Consolation
Trip high quality, too, is a robust level. The Prius PHEV handles tough street surfaces with athletic finesse, and infrequently permits even a severe street imperfection to filter into the cabin. The plug-in Prius additionally settles in properly on the freeway, and the cabin is usually hushed at road-trip speeds. Add in comfy seats and this miserly Toyota makes for a high-quality long-trip automobile.
Cabin Appointments
Additionally, although spiffed up a bit in Nightshade trim, the Prius cabin trails most different compact vehicles when it comes to cabin supplies. Although the Prius PHEV inside appears tidy and trendy, there’s an excessive amount of uncovered laborious plastic for our style.
Moreover, we aren’t followers of the compact instrument panel. The panel is borrowed from the model’s BZ4x electrical compact crossover, and requires taller drivers to look over the steering wheel—not by way of it—to see the digital show. The panel is tidy and simple to learn, however this tall editor discovered the viewing angle awkward.
Rear-Seat House
As for the rear seating space, passenger house is proscribed, and finest left for pre-teens and petite adults.
Worth
No, the Prius is not a frumpy, roomy, gallon-pinching miser, however that’s principally an excellent factor. We admire the automotive’s sexy-svelte beauty, sporty character, and still-impressive gas economic system. And, going the plug-in PHEV route makes all kinds of sense to us—offering you truly plug in (actually, plug it in). For childless {couples}, or households on the lookout for a thrifty second automotive, the Prius PHEV calls for your respect—even whether it is going although one thing of an identification disaster.
Hearken to the Automotive Stuff Podcast
2025 Toyota Prius Nightshade PHEV Photos
Click on under for enlarged photographs
