Forbes Wheels
  • Overview
  • Warranty
  • Specs & Safety
  • Competition
  • Generations
View Photos (25)

2020 Toyota Prius

Change Car
Explore Variants
2020 2021 2022 2023
MSRP Starts From
$24,325

What's New

  • The L Eco, LE and XLE get a 7-inch touchscreen (they previously had a 6.1-inch display)
  • All trims get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
  • Toyota’s Safety Connect, which offers emergency response, now standard on all models (previously only on Limited)

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Fuel efficient
  • All-wheel-drive is an option on LE and XLE trims
  • Long list of standard safety tech
Cons
  • Terrible road noise
  • Plastic interior
  • Not fun to drive at all

Toyota Prius Overview

The 2020 Toyota Prius is still the same fuel sipping liftback with the kooky styling and uninspired drive quality, but it has a proven powertrain and available all-wheel-drive, which gives it an edge on rivals. There are four trims: the base L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited. All models are powered by a 1.8-liter gas-electric hybrid engine paired to an electric continuously variable transmission. Th LE and XLE trims can be equipped with all-wheel-drive, which uses an electric motor separate from the hybrid system to power the rear wheels.

The base L Eco achieves an EPA-estimated 58 mpg in city driving and 53 mpg on the highway and 56 combined mpg—that’s about in line with peers. Prius’ cargo space is notable and the L Eco tops its class with 27.4 cubic feet behind the second row (other trims offer 24.6 cubic-feet). Toyota also loaded all models with its Toyota Safety Sense P suite of safety technology that includes a pre-collision mitigation system, adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert with steering assist and automatic high beams.

Trim Specifications

The base L Eco trim gets 15-inch wheels, a 7-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Amazon Alexa compatibility, two rear USB ports, Toyota Safety Sense P and Safety Connect. The LE has blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alter and parking assist. The LE AWD-e adds integrated fog lights with LED accent lights. The XLE has 17-inch titanium-finished wheels, SoftTex-trimmed wheels and heated front seats with an 8-way power-adjustable (includes lumbar support) driver seat, wireless smartphone charging, rain-sensing wipers and a smart key system. The XLE AWD-e is identical other than the electronic all-wheel-drive system. The top Limited features a larger 11.6-inch touchscreen that runs premium JBL audio with navigation, a color head up display and adaptive front lights with auto-leveling headlights.

Warranty

Basic:
3 Years/36,000 Miles
Drivetrain:
5 Years/60,000 Miles
Corrosion:
5 Years/Unlimited Miles
Hybrid/Electric Components:
8 Years/100,000 Miles
Roadside Assistance:
3 Years/Unlimited Miles
Maintenance:
2 Years/25,000 Miles

Specs & Safety

Toyota Prius Specification

Price
$24,325*
Vehicle Type Sedan
Engine Type Gas/Electric I-4
Seats 5 Person
Horsepower 121p
Torque (lb-ft) 105
Efficiency (MPG) 58 City / 53 Hwy
Transmission CVT w/OD
*Includes Destination Charges

Toyota Prius Safety

Toyota Prius Generations

First Generation

2001 to 2003
Though the first Prius sedan (and also the first mass-produced hybrid in the world) debuted in Japan for the 1997 year, the U.S. didn’t see its first generation until 2001. Its powertrain delivered 70 horsepower from the gas motor and 44 horsepower from the electric drive motor. A second electric motor-generator served as the starter for an Atkinson gas engine and also generated electricity for the drive motor and battery pack, made of nickel-metal hydride. Toyota called the system Hybrid Synergy Drive. A continuously variable transmission was paired to the hybrid engine and energy normally lost through braking was re-captured using a regeneration system. The Prius was able to achieve an EPA-estimated 41 combined mpg.

Second Generation

2004 to 2009
The second-generation Prius debuted with a new liftback body style and offered a large enough cabin for the EPPA to qualify it as a midsized sedan. The gas engine’s output was boosted to 76 horsepower and the electric motor delivered 67 horsepower. It had better acceleration and combined fuel economy increased to 46 mpg. Other new elements were introduced including a brake-by-wire system that improved regeneration and brake feel and a new air conditioning system that ran independently of the engine and used less refrigerant.

Third Generation

2010 to 2014
The third-generation Prius kept the same body shape albeit slightly refined and had a new 1.8-liter gas engine and an 80-horsepower electric drive motor that made it more fun to drive. Fuel efficiency climbed to 50 combined mpg. In 2012, Toyota introduced a spinoff line of Priuses, the Prius family: a plug-in hybrid, a smaller Prius c and a larger Prius v that offered SUV-like versatility. Combined sales of the Prius peaked in 2012 and have declined every year since.

Fourth Generation

2015 to Present
The fourth-generation Prius was built on the Toyota New Global Architecture modular platform, which gave it a lower center of gravity and more structural rigidity. For the 2016 model year, the Prius plug-in variant was spun off and rebadged in its second generation as the Prius Prime. Toyota discontinued the Prius v in 2017. For the 2018 model year Toyota introduced an all-wheel-drive version and gave the lineup a facelift with new headlights and taillights. Toyota stopped production of the Prius c in 2019.

You May Also Like

2024 Ram ProMaster EV: 162 Miles Of Range And Room For...

Honda 0 Series EVs Revealed As Unusual Concepts

In-Car Voice Assistants Get An AI Boost In Future VW, ...

It’s Hard To Say Goodbye: 10 Cars That Won’t Ret...

New Year, New Cars: What’s Coming In 2024

Genesis Electrified GV70 Versus Lexus RZ: Elegant Elec...
 

For partnership inquiries please reach out to us at partnerships@forbeswheels.com