Hatchback · Hybrid
Toyota Prius 2016–2022 (XW50)
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- Price
- $24,200–$32,200
- MPG
- 56
- Strength: Excellent safety
- Strength: Excellent cargo & utility
- Strength: Excellent running costs
- Watch-out: Poor driving fun
How it scores for you10 scores
A supremely frugal, top-safety-rated hybrid with generous cargo and rock-solid reliability, but its 121 hp and numb handling make it purely a commuter tool.
Recalled about half as often as cars of the same model years; 1 of its 10 recalls was serious. About 11% of its owner complaints describe a crash, fire or injury. Based on recalls and serious defect reports — it doesn't capture everyday repairs or problems fixed by warranty extensions. Adjusted +10 points for its wider reputation.
5-star overall NHTSA crash rating (frontal 4, side 5, rollover 4).
About $1,200 a year in fuel (EPA estimate) — cheaper to run than about 88% of cars we track.
24.6 cu ft of cargo space — more than about 91% of other hatchbacks we track.
Roomy for a compact hatch with 24.6 cu ft cargo (65.5 folded) and comfortable rear seat. Sloping roofline slightly limits rear headroom.
121 hp and CVT prioritize efficiency, not engagement. Numb steering and modest acceleration make it a commuter tool. AWD-e version adds traction but not sportiness.
Toyota Safety Sense standard, digital hybrid displays, and PHEV Prime version with 25-mi electric range. Infotainment and interface are functional but not class-leading versus newer rivals.
Quiet EV-mode driving and compliant ride, but firm seats and road noise on highway are typical. Divisive interior layout with center gauges.
SUVs and hybrids usually hold their value better than average.
No published tow rating; all- or four-wheel drive available.
Safety & recalls13 recalls
13 recalls · 8 common complaint areas across 2016–2022
- Visibility/wiper — 33 complaints (2016)
- Recall — Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ecm): software; hybrid propulsion system (2022)
- Unknown or other — 27 complaints (2016)
2022
- RecallEngine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ecm): software; hybrid propulsion system21V734000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
- Complaint clusterElectrical6 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2022 Toyota Prius. It was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 29,909. At the time of the registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 173,000.
2021
No recorded issues.
2020
No recorded issues.
2019
- RecallEquipment: other: labels19V244000
Gulf States Toyota (GST) is recalling certain 2019 C-HR, 4Runner, Avalon, Avalon Hybrid, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Highlander, Land Cruiser, Prius, RAV4, Sequoia, Tacoma, Sienna, Tundra and Yaris vehicles. The text on the load capacity label may become illegible. As such, these vehicles fail to comply
- RecallElectronic stability control (esc); service brakes19V544000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system a
- RecallElectrical: instrument cluster/panel19V876000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Prius vehicles. An electrical short circuit in the combination meter could occur, causing the speedometer, the odometer, and the fuel gauge to go blank. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Feder
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other6 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Body of car has rust perforation starting from the inside working out. This is on the roof, so water incursion will effect airbags and electrical system. FIrst noticed rust bubbles a few years ago, but did not think much of it. Now two body shops have said roof panel needs to be replaced. This is bi
2018
- RecallElectrical: wiring18V579000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
- Complaint clusterExterior lighting5 complaintscomplaints:EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Both taillamps holding moisture. Could cause electrical issues or fire. .. same year and model car have same reported issues and were fixed by manufacturer. This vehicle is the same but different level.
2017
- RecallParking brake16V741000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
- RecallTires: temporary/emergency spare tire17V295000
Gulf States Toyota, Inc. (Gulf States) is recalling certain 2017 4Runner , 86, Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Corolla iM, Highlander, Highlander Hybrid, Prius, Prius C, RAV4, RAV4 Hybrid, Sienna and Yaris vehicles. The spare tire air pressure was not adjusted to the proper pressure as state
- RecallElectrical: wiring18V579000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper17 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
Windshield cracked from bottom to top and across while sitting and there was no evidence of a rock or chip that would cause that. Air temp was about 95 degrees. No rain, no impact, car was sitting parked and not running.
- Complaint clusterElectrical11 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Toyota Prius. It was discovered when the contact listed the vehicle for sale that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was as a private sale. At the time of the purchase, the mileage was 126,611. The potential purchaser provided a CARFAX report th
- Complaint clusterCruise control9 complaintscomplaints:VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this
- Complaint clusterBrakes9 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
On 9/14/22 I was almost a hundred miles from my home in Sherrill, NY on Rte 81 south, approaching the bridge in Binghamton, NY when I heard a loud ringing noise. At first I thought it was my phone; then I thought it was a police vehicle; then a construction noise. I finally faced the fact if was com
- Complaint clusterEngine7 complaintscomplaints:ENGINE
The catalytic converter heat exchanger failed internally, causing coolant to leak into the exhaust system. Symptoms included white smoke from exhaust and coolant loss with no visible ground leak. This is a documented factory defect per Toyota Technical Service Bulletin T-SB-0135-19 affecting 2016-20
2016
- RecallAirbags: frontal: passenger side: inflator module16V672000
Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.
- RecallParking brake16V741000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
- RecallHybrid propulsion: inverter17V658000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
- RecallAirbags: frontal; air bags: frontal: sensor/control module-inactive; air bags: side/window18V085000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing t
- RecallElectrical: wiring18V579000
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
- Complaint clusterVisibility/wiper33 complaintscomplaints:VISIBILITY/WIPER
The original windshield has a “rippling distortion” where the windshield has ripple/bubble from defective glass or installation mistakes, making seeing traffic signs or streets very hard. I just bought this vehicle and noticed the problem. It created poor road vision, especially at night. Toyota
- Complaint clusterUnknown or other27 complaintscomplaints:UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Found coolant leak from heat exchanger into exhaust pipe. Looks like, T-SB-0135-19.
- Complaint clusterElectrical22 complaintscomplaints:ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Car was driving fine one day and then while driving down the interstate I had the Pre collision system malfunction error, Brake light came on, Cruise will not operate, ABS light is on. After much research it seems Prius V has a common issue with brake booster faulting.
- Complaint clusterPowertrain14 complaintscomplaints:POWER TRAIN
During summer months when temperatures are above 100 degrees when accelerating from a complete stop I can hear the engine rev and the RPMs increase but the vehicle will move at 1-2 mph. Even if the accelerator is to the floor. After 3-4 seconds the tires will squeal and the vehicle will be jolted fo
- Complaint clusterBrakes12 complaintscomplaints:SERVICE BRAKES
The contact owns a 2016 Toyota Prius. The contact stated that while the vehicle was on and running, the ABS and traction control warning lights illuminated, and the messages "Braking Power Low - Stop in a Safe Place”, “See Owner's Manual", "Braking Power Low - Visit the Dealer", and "ABS Malfunction
Cost to own$15,100 / 5 yr
MSRP, new
$24,200–$32,200
Estimated used price, by model year
$1,200/yr
EPA estimate, combined fuel cost per year.
Specs
City MPG
58
Highway MPG
53
Combined MPG
56
Electric range
25 mi
Horsepower
121 hp
Doors
4
Length
178.7 in
Width
69.3 in
Height
57.9 in
Wheelbase
106.3 in
Curb weight
3,064 lb
Cargo volume
24.6 cu ft
Cargo (seats folded)
65.5 cu ft
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