DecodedCarsToyota Prius Prime
8 model years from 2017 to 2024, compared on size, efficiency, safety and reliability.
- Model years
- 2017–2024
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Latest engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl
- Best MPG
- 52–54 combined, by year
- Latest rating
- ★★★★★ (2024)
- Recalls
- 6 campaigns, all years
- Most complaints
- 2017 (42)
- Fewest problems
- 2021
- Interest
- 4,654 Wikipedia views / 30 days
The 2024 Prius Prime in brief
The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 52 MPG combined (53 city / 51 highway), 82% better than the 2024 midsize car average of 28.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,300 a year in fuel.
In NHTSA crash testing it earned the top 5-star overall rating.
It has 4 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 15 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the electrical system.
The Toyota Prius Prime has 8 model years in our data, from 2017 to 2024.
Its most efficient year was 2022 at 54 MPG combined; across all years the best version ranged from 52 to 54 MPG.
Owners most often report problems with the electrical system (26), visibility/wiper (17), unknown or other (15).
Buying used? 2021 has the fewest problems in our data, and 2024 is the year to avoid.
2024 has the most recalls (4); all years together count 6 campaigns and 122 owner complaints.
How the 2017 Prius Prime compares
The 2017 Toyota Prius Prime is a midsize car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 54 MPG combined (55 city / 53 highway), 101% better than the 2017 midsize car average of 26.9 MPG, for an estimated $1,250 a year in fuel.
About the Toyota Prius Prime
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 to 2016. The second-generation model has been produced since 2016. Production of the third-generation model began in 2023.
From the Wikipedia article "Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid", licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
2024 Prius Prime pros & cons
Full 2024 details →What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 52 MPG combined — 82% better than the average 2024 midsize car (28.6 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
- 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
- Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
Watch out for
- Modest powerUp to 150 hp, versus about 201 hp for similar 2024 models.
Best and worst years to buy used
2021 Prius Prime
10 owner complaints · 0 recalls · 4 crash reports
NHTSA overall: ★★★★★
Year to avoid2024 Prius Prime
15 owner complaints · 4 recalls · 3 crash reports
Most reported: Electrical System
NHTSA recalls and complaints for 8 model years since 2015; use it alongside a pre-purchase inspection. How we calculate this →
Prius Prime changes by model year
- 2023
- Engine added: 2.0L 4-cyl
- Engine dropped: 1.8L 4-cyl
- Best combined MPG down from 54 to 52
- 2021
- Now crash-tested by NHTSA: 5 stars overall
Years without a measurable change are left out.
Show all 8 model years side by side
| Year | Latest engines | Best MPG / range | Length | Weight | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 52 MPG | – | – | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2023 | 2.0L 4-cyl | 52 MPG | 178.7 in | 3,364 lb | ★★★★★ | 4 | 6 |
| 2022 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | 178.7 in | 3,364 lb | ★★★★★ | 1 | 8 |
| 2021 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | 178.7 in | 3,364 lb | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2020 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | 178.7 in | 3,364 lb | Not rated | 1 | 16 |
| 2019 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | 178.7 in | 3,364 lb | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2018 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 16 |
| 2017 | 1.8L 4-cyl | 54 MPG | – | – | Not rated | 0 | 42 |
Alternatives to the 2024 Prius Prime
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2024 Toyota Crown | 41 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2024 Toyota Camry | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
| 2024 Toyota Prius | 57 MPG | ★★★★★ | 4 |
| 2024 Hyundai Elantra | 54 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
| 2024 Chevrolet Malibu | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 2 |
Most common owner-reported problems
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikipedia, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →