The Toyota Prius is Comfortable and extremely dependable. It is sold in almost 80 countries and regions, known for being economical and environmentally friendly.
But which model year should you choose? Let’s take a look at the Prius’ changes over the years to help you choose.
2010 Toyota Prius
Background
The production of the third-generation Toyota Prius began in 2009 and ran until 2015 with a model code XW30.
Fuel efficiency
This Prius comes with a hybrid system that pairs a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine with an 80-hp motor and a 650-watt battery. It has three driving modes; a battery mode useful at low speeds, eco for better fuel efficiency, and power for performance. This system has a combined power rating of 134 hp and an average fuel consumption of 21km/L.
Tank capacity and battery
You get a warranty of 8 years or 160,000 km for your battery. With proper use, you can get up to 320,000 km.
According to Green Car Reports, battery replacement costs range between US$2,299 and $2,588 depending on the year of manufacture.
The 2010 Prius has a 45-liter tank that will take 960 kilometers to exhaust.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2010 Prius range between US$ 2600 and US$ 17,500 as of July 2023.
Interior
The MK3 Prius has better leg and headroom, and a boot space ranging between 446 and 1120 liters with the seats in place or folded flat respectively. Plus a hidden tray for valuable items on top of the spare wheel.
Driver aids, driving position, and interior have significantly improved as well.
Exterior
A glance at the third-generation Prius can leave you with the impression of its predecessor, due to the trademark slab sides and arching roofline. Once you delve into the nitty gritty the differences become more obvious. It grew by several inches with a better high point on the rear roofline.
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2011 Toyota Prius
Background
The production of the second-generation Toyota Prius began in 2003 and ran until 2009 with a model code XW20.
Fuel efficiency
The 1.5-liter (1NZ-3CM) petrol engine and two electric motors form a hybrid system that has 110 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque with a fuel economy of 21km/L.
Tank capacity and battery
According to Toyota, a Prius battery is supposed to last between 160,000 km and 240,000 km or between 8 to 10 years. Although some owners have had less or more of the
According to J. D. Power replacing the battery on the 2006 Prius will cost around US$ 1,200 in total.
The 2006 Prius has a 45-liter tank that will take 880 kilometers to exhaust.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2006 Toyota Prius range between US$ 2000 and US$ 4000 as of July 2023.
Interior
The four-door five-seat cabin of the 2006 Prius is impressively roomy, with a 456-liter cargo capacity.
Standard features include cloth upholstery, a six-speaker audio system with a CD changer, auto climate control, LCD display, cruise control, tire pressure monitor, and a 60/40 split folding rear seat. Available features include heated power side mirrors, a touchscreen DVD with a rearview camera and navigation, and leather upholstery.
Exterior
The Prius features a body styling with a downward slope and a sudden vertical (almost vertical) cut-off at the rear. This design is known to reduce fuel consumption and improve efficiency as it significantly reduces aerodynamic drag.
2012 Toyota Prius
Background
The 2012 Toyota Prius is part of the third-generation model whose production ran from 2009 to 2015 with the XW30 model code.
Fuel efficiency
With its electric motor and 1.8L DOHC engine that has helped make it the best in its class, the 2012 Toyota Prius comes fitted with a similar but finetuned powerplant with improved fuel efficiency now rated at 21 km/l. The electric (battery only) mode, Eco, and power modes have proven to be so useful as they enable the driver to choose between them for maximum utilization.
Tank capacity and battery
The 2012 Prius comes with a 45-liter tank.
In electric mode, the car is solely powered by its battery. This is the most efficient driving mode but with less power. In this mode, the car will travel at very low driving speeds about 1.6 kilometers in total which is only possible under certain conditions.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2012 Prius range between US$ 2700 and US$ 65,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
Interior improvements on the 2012 Prius include an improved list of standard (an infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touch-screen display, Bluetooth connectivity, USB port, proximity key, automatic climate control, and push-button start) features that were previously optional. Available features include an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, navigation, leatherette upholstery, and satellite radio, while safety options are forward collision warning, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control.
Exterior
Exterior features include a rear spoiler, automatic headlights with headlight washers, an eco-drive monitor, and an optional power-adjustable driver’s seat.
2013 Toyota Prius
Background
The 2013 Toyota Prius is part of the third-generation model whose production ran from 2009 to 2015 with the XW30 model code.
Fuel efficiency
The 2013 Prius features the same 1.8L DOHC engine paired with electric motors with 134 hp. The fuel consumption of this hybrid system is still rated at 21 km/L.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2013 Prius range between US$ 2800 and US$ 19,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
The 2013 Prius comes equipped with a 6-speaker sound system with an AUX input that enables connection of external devices. Other great features include one-touch up/down power windows, an active front headrest with whiplash protection, and a height-adjustable driver’s seat.
Exterior
Exterior features on the 2013 Prius include heated mirrors and a rear spoiler. A sunroof is optional.
2014 Toyota Prius
Background
The 2014 Toyota Prius refuses to stand still, adding great features that make it all the more attractive to those looking to get into the hybrid game. With a fuel consumption rate of 27km/L (28.6km/L for the “C” version), the 2014 Prius is the obvious choice.
A great feature of convenience for the 2014 Prius is the state-of-the-art 6-speaker audio system that comes with a 6.1-inch display for album artwork and track information for connected iPod devices.
Other great features include, an intelligent key system, power locks, and windows, as well as illuminated entry, dynamic radar cruise control, and Bluetooth connectivity.
Fuel efficiency
If you are into the fast and furious the Prius is not the right car for you, but if you want a car that will take you places for less money and damage to the environment, then the Prius is the right car. The 2014 Prius like all the MK3 models is powered by a hybrid system that pairs a 1.8L DOHC engine paired with electric motors for a combined output of 134 hp. The fuel consumption of this hybrid system is still rated at 21 km/L.
Tank capacity and battery
There is an old saying that says “If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it”, and that is what Toyota has done on the 2014 Prius as the 45-liter tank and battery pack that has been used since the Mk3 was introduced is still the same.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2014 Prius range between US$ 2800 and US$ 17,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
Cheap plastics have let off the Prius interior, but apart from that, the spacious interior with enough leg and headroom for all five occupants, the cubby holes that can accommodate your small items at ease, the large cargo area with an extra storage area beneath it are all a welcome. And if that is not enough, the Prius also features plenty of standard features with plenty of optional ones as well.
Exterior
Standard exterior features on the 2014 Prius include a rear spoiler, aluminum wheels, and heated mirrors. A sunroof is optional.
2015 Toyota Prius
Background
The production of the fourth-generation Toyota Prius began in 2015 and ran until 2022 with a model code XW50.
Fuel efficiency
The 2015 Prius comes fitted with a revised version of the 1.8-liter (2ZR-FXE) four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors. This system has a combined output of 121 hp and a better fuel consumption rating of between 22 km/L (Standard) and 24 km/L (Eco) trim.
Tank capacity and battery
The 2015 Prius can be had (for the first time) with either a nickel-metal hydride (Ni-MH) or lithium-ion (Li-Ion) battery. The former is only available on the base model, while the latter is available on the other trims. The Li-Ion battery is much lighter and offers enhanced energy density.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2015 Prius range between US$ 4340 and US$ 25,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
Unlike its predecessor, the 2015 Prius’s interior layout is more conventional. It features a standard center console, two cupholders, and a center bin with a wireless phone charging pad between the seats, and an armrest. Retained features include a stubby shifter and Park button, and the speedometer and gauge array beneath and above the touchscreen infotainment display. A head-up display is available.
Exterior
it is more aerodynamic, longer, lower, and more efficient than its predecessor. Although at a glance it looks similar to the Mk3, the Mk4 Prius is a true beauty. It’s edgier with fins, strakes, and purposeful lines that are put in place to improve the car’s aerodynamics. Some of the major changes on the exterior include moving the roof forward almost 7 inches, new grille shutters, and underbody panels that have improved the car’s drag coefficient.
2016 Toyota Prius
Background
The release of the fourth-generation Toyota Prius featured a parallel release of a Plug-in Hybrid (PHV) version with a similar model code XW50.
Fuel efficiency
The 2016 Prius PHV comes fitted with the 1.8-liter (2ZR-1NM-1SM) four-cylinder petrol engine that can quietly power the car when the batteries run out at a fuel consumption rate of 22 km/L.
Tank capacity and battery
Unlike the standard Prius, the 2016 Prius PHV is fitted with a larger 8.8-kWh lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery pack that is capable of sustaining the car for approximately 40 km of electric-only range and, pivotally, it can be recharged by plugging it into an electrical socket. Filling up the battery via a 120-volt socket takes about 5.5 hours, while on a 240-volt socket, it will take about two hours. But you can also opt to only run it with petrol, and it will run simply as a standard Prius.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2016 Prius PHV range between US$ 11,000 and US$ 29,400 as of July 2023.
Interior
Standard features include a 7-inch multimedia screen, Bluetooth, a USB port, cloth upholstery, manual seat adjustments, and keyless entry on the driver’s side only.
Accommodating the larger battery made this Prius a four-seater instead of five and the cargo loading height is raised.
Exterior
Available features include heated door mirrors, LED head- and taillights, automatic grille shutters, and parking sensors.
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2018 Toyota Prius
Background
In 2018 the fourth-generation (XW50) Toyota Prius received its first uplift. With the introduction of this model, Toyota has dropped the unorthodox naming structure and resorted to its known nomenclature. This Prius is available in L Eco, LE, XLE, and Limited (S, L, and G in Japan) trims with AWD-e only available on LE and Limited trims.
Fuel efficiency
The 2018 Prius AWD-e comes fitted with the 1.8-liter (2ZR-FXE) four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors and one extra motor to drive the rear wheel for extra traction. The average fuel consumption of this AWD-e model is 21 km/L.
Tank capacity and battery
The 2018 Prius has a 43-liter tank and a pack of lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2018 Prius AWD-e range between US$ 6900 and US$ 18,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
Interior features include steering controls, power windows, door pockets, a deep and narrow center bin, front and rear cup holders, and a glove box.
safety features include 8 airbags, ABS, and VSC.
Exterior
Exterior features include power side mirrors, new front and rear bumpers, new paint colors and wheel designs, redesigned LED head- and taillights, and a new rear hatch.
2021 Toyota Prius
Background
In 2021 Toyota released the 20th Anniversary Edition Prius with only 2,020 units produced. With 6 million (1.9 million in America only) units sold worldwide in 20 years, the Prius has proved a success with room to further improve.
Fuel efficiency
The 20th Anniversary Edition Prius maintains the same 1.8-liter (2ZR-FXE) four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors with a combined output of 120 hp and 105 lb-ft paired with a CVT transmission that sends power to the front wheels. It has an average fuel consumption of 22 km/l.
Tank capacity and battery
The 2018 Prius has a 43-liter tank and a pack of lithium-ion (Li-Ion) batteries.
Price
MSRP prices for the 2020 Special Edition Prius range between US$ 29,875 and US$ 32,000.
Interior
The 20th-anniversary interior details a 7.0-inch touchscreen infotainment display, smoked A/C vents, special 2020 Edition floor mats, USB, Bluetooth, navigation, and a blacked-out shifter.
Exterior
The 20th-anniversary edition comes in either, Wind Chill Pearl or a Supersonic Red premium hue. Exterior details include BI-LED headlights with LED DRLs, full LED taillights with a special black badge, a color-keyed rear spoiler, a black detail kit, and a “blackout” trim.
2023 Toyota Prius
Background
The fifth-generation Toyota Prius was unveiled late in 2022 for the 2023 model year with model code XW60.
Fuel efficiency
The 2023 Prius comes fitted with either the revised version of the Toyota Series Parallel Hybrid System that pairs the 1.8-liter (2ZR-FXE) four-cylinder engine with two electric motors with an improved combined output of 138 hp or the 2.0-liter (M20A-FXS) with 196 hp. Also available is a plug-in hybrid (PHV) that pairs the 2.0-liter (M20A-FXS) engine with an electric motor and a pack of Li-ion batteries with a combined output of 220 hp. An E-Four all-wheel drive system is also available. These power plants’ fuel consumption range from 21 km/L to 24 km/L depending on trim.
Tank capacity and battery
The 2023 Prius comes fitted with a 43-liter tank that enables that to travel 1030 km on a single tank.
This 2023 Prius comes covered for eight years/160,000 km for hybrid components and up to 10 years/241,000 km for the battery itself.
Price
Be Forward prices for the 2022 Prius range between US$ 22,400 and US$ 179,000 as of July 2023.
Interior
Standard features include an 8-inch touchscreen display, cloth upholstery, and a faux leather steering wheel. Available features include ambient lighting heated and ventilated front seats, USB ports, and a panoramic glass roof.
Safety features include blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert.
The restyling of the 2022/23 Prius has taken its toll on the car’s cargo capacity and rear seat headroom. It has a 574-liter boot which is way better than other sedans, but inferior to its predecessor.
Exterior
The 2022 Prius has been restyled resulting in the most appealing Prius model ever.
Is Toyota Prius the Best Hybrid on the Market?
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