2018 Toyota Prius review

1. Thrifty performance

Let's be honest, if there's one thing the Toyota Prius has always been known for: minimizing trips to the pumps. The 2018 model more than lives up to the name, coming standard across the board with a 1.8L four-cylinder engine and two electric motors, producing a combined 121 horsepower through a continuously variable automatic transmission. Right out of the gate, this powertrain gives the 2018 Toyota Prius a very impressive EPA-estimated 52 mpg combined.

2. A packed feature list

The 2018 Toyota Prius features a grand total of seven trim levels, and when you combine that with several option packages also available on 2018 models, that's one jam-packed feature list. Standard features on the base One trim include automatic climate control, a rearview camera, and a 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Bumping up to the premium Three and Four trims gets you features such as a wireless phone charging pad, heated front seats, and automatic front wipers. There are also the Touring variants of the Three and Four trims that include alloy wheels and fog lights, plus additional packages like the Premium Convenience package featuring a ten-speaker JBL^® sound system.

3. Driver-assist features

Perhaps the best part of that lengthy feature list, is just how many of those features are designed specifically to make your time behind the wheel of the 2018 Toyota Prius as smooth and effortless as possible. Yes, there's also a myriad of driver convenience features available across the range, starting on base One models with automatic high beams, forward collision warning with automatic braking, and lane departure warning. An additional assistance package can also be added on every trim level from Two upward, which features blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors with automated parking assist. For day-to-day driving in busy areas, the 2018 Toyota Prius is ready to make your life as easy as possible behind the wheel.

4. A spacious, practical interior

Not only will life be a breeze for you behind the wheel of the 2018 Toyota Prius, but you and your passengers are guaranteed to also enjoy the ride. There's room for up to five inside, and you will all have plenty of room to stretch out and relax with 42.3 inches of front-seat legroom and 33.4 inches of rear-seat legroom. Along with that 93.1 cu-ft of passenger volume, there's also a very useful 24.6 cu-ft of luggage volume behind the rear seats, which expands to 27.4 cu-ft on Two Eco, Four, and Four Touring models. Fold the 60/40 split-folding rear seats flat, and that cargo volume can go up to 65.5 cu-ft with ease. Additionally, the Four trim includes seatback storage pockets and a rear cargo cover.

5. Unique and sleek styling

It's often said that you can only have form over function or vice versa. But the 2018 Toyota Prius proves that you can easily have both in one package. The sleek body is intentionally designed to minimize wind resistance and be as aerodynamic as possible—for a hatchback, at least—to further help with fuel economy. It also gives the Prius a distinctive look that sets it apart from others on the road. A strong selection of exterior colors, like Hypersonic Red and Blue Crush Metallic, really helps to show off those striking lines, while three additional interior colors—Black, Harvest Beige, and Moonstone—ensure that the 2018 Toyota Prius can look just as stylish on the inside as it does on the outside.