Our 2025 Toyota Prius Arrives in Style to Reset Its Reputation

Car and Driver

2 days ago

Introduction
For more than two decades, the Toyota Prius was the dorky kid in class, packing a nerdy hybrid powertrain inside a frumpy, unstylish outfit. But for the 2023 model year, the Prius returned from summer break with newfound confidence, sporting a slick new haircut and trendy clothes, capitalizing on the growing popularity of hybrids by pairing its long-proven efficiency with handsome bodywork.
But the Prius's glow up was more than just skin deep. The lower, wider stance and more potent 194-horsepower hybrid heart made the hatchback significantly more fun to drive, while still maintaining its reputation for sipping fuel and keeping its base price affordable. This was enough to land the Prius on our 10Best list for 2024, so we ordered one for a long-term 40,000-mile test to see if the good feelings will last.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Our 2025 Toyota Prius XLE starts at $32,990, and we kept the options minimal. We stuck with the front-wheel-drive setup, sacrificing the extra traction of all-wheel drive and an additional two horsepower to save $1400. Our biggest spend was upgrading to the 12.3-inch touchscreen for $735, a sizable upgrade over the standard 8.0-inch unit. We also added Digital Key capability for $275, which allows you to use your smartphone as a key, as long as you pay for a Remote Connect subscription. Lastly, we threw in carpet floor mats and a cargo mat for $309. All told, our Prius, painted Cutting Edge grey with a Gradient Black interior, rang in at $34,249.
That price includes a huge swath of standard equipment. All Priuses can run wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and feature a 7.0-inch digital gauge cluster. The XLE also brings rain-sensing wipers and SofTex (a synthetic leather) heated front seats, including an eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat with lumbar support. There's also a heated steering wheel, and the XLE also insures you'll never be left with a dead phone by packing six USB-C ports and a wireless charger. And there's plenty of safety features, including front and rear parking assist with automatic braking, blind spot monitors, and rear cross-traffic alert.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
So far the Prius has delivered on its promise of efficiency. While the 44 mpg that we have recorded over the first few months is significantly lower than the EPA's estimate of 52 mpg combined, we'll admit that we can be known to drive with a heavy right foot on Michigan's high-speed highways. We'll be curious to see if that number improves as the Prius experiences a wider variety of driving environments.
The extra power that Toyota added to the hybrid powertrain for 2023 might also play a role in that lower fuel economy figure, the 194 horsepower goading us into pushing the Prius a bit harder than we would've back when it only churned out 121 ponies. The powertrain pairs a 2.0-liter inline-four engine with two electric motors and a continuously variable automatic transmission, and the Prius manages to feel fairly sprightly around town.
At the test track, the Prius needed 7.1 seconds to reach 60 mph, certainly not quick but zippy enough to not feel like a moving obstacle in traffic. Accelerating to 30 mph takes only 2.6 seconds, and the Prius required 3.9 seconds our 30-to-60-mph passing test. The Prius's efficiency-focused tires, a set of Toyo Extensa A/S IIs, however, negatively affected braking and handling performance. Compared to a 2023 Prius Limited we tested, which ran on Michelin Primacy All Season rubber, our long-term XLE needed an extra 10 feet to come to a stop from 70 mph, at 181 feet. Its 0.81 g result on the skidpad was 0.6 off the Limited.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
So far we've been enjoying our time behind the wheel of the Prius, with Buyer's Guide Director Rich Ceppos proclaiming that "This latest Prius drives in a way that even discerning enthusiasts will appreciate." A few complaints have already cropped up however, including the coarse note emitted by the four-cylinder engine, a sometimes shaky handoff between the engine and electric motors, and a few interior ergonomic oddities.
Still, the Prius's competent powertrain and fuel-sipping abilities mean it should end up being a popular road trip companion, and we think the hybrid hatchback will rack up miles quickly. We'll report back when the Prius reaches 10,000 miles to see how the Toyota handles our summer travels.
Months in Fleet: 4 months Current Mileage: 3979 miles
Average Fuel Economy: 44 mpg
Fuel Tank Size: 11.3 gal Observed Fuel Range: 490 miles
Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0 Damage and Destruction: $0
Specifications
Specifications
2025 Toyota Prius XLE FWD
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door hatchback
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $32,990/$34,309
Options: 12.3-in touchscreen infotainment system, $735; carpeted floor and cargo mats, $309; digital key, $275
POWERTRAIN
DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-4, 150 hp, 139 lb-ft + 2 AC motors (combined output: 194 hp; lithium-ion battery pack)
Transmission: continuously variable automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: struts/multilink
Brakes, F/R: 11.1-in ventilated disc/11.0-in disc
Tires: Toyo Extensa A/S II
195/50R-19 88H M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 108.3 in
Length: 181.1 in
Width: 70.2 in
Height: 56.3 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 53/39 ft³
Cargo Volume: 20 ft³
Curb Weight: 3161 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 7.1 sec
1/4-Mile: 15.4 sec @ 93 mph
100 mph: 17.9 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 7.6 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.9 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 116 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 181 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.81 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 44 mpg
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 52/52/52 mpg
WARRANTY
3 years/36,000 miles bumper to bumper
5 years/60,000 miles powertrain
8 years/100,000 miles hybrid system
10 years/150,000 miles hybrid battery
5 years/unlimited miles corrosion protection
2 years/unlimited miles roadside assistance
2 years/25,000 miles scheduled maintenance
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
Caleb Miller
Associate News Editor
Caleb Miller began blogging about cars at 13 years old, and he realized his dream of writing for a car magazine after graduating from Carnegie Mellon University and joining the Car and Driver team. He loves quirky and obscure autos, aiming to one day own something bizarre like a Nissan S-Cargo, and is an avid motorsports fan.