2026 Toyota Prius Images, MSRP, Specs

2026 Toyota Prius Images, MSRP, Specs  –  If you’ve always considered the 2026 Toyota Prius to be a clunky little vehicle that you purchased purely for its fuel efficiency, you need to reconsider. With standard all-wheel drive (AWD), it’s a delight to drive, has been completely remodeled, and has greater power owing to a new engine and hybrid system. There are two trim levels available, with the XLE beginning at $38,510, which includes a $1,860 non-negotiable delivery cost. I tried the $44,850 top Limited trim. It is also offered as the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which has three trim levels with pre-tax and government incentives ranging from $40,010 to $48,850.  2026 Toyota Prius Images

2026 Toyota Prius Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

There is little headroom in the Prius, therefore passengers shouldn’t be very tall. With the back seats folded flat, you can transport longer things in the 575 L luggage compartment, which also features a storage bin concealed beneath the cargo floor. Small-item storage up front is very good, with a horizontal phone holder that doubles as the wireless charger; and a compartment where you can tuck small items away and then stash items on its lid. Both contain some of the Prius’s numerous “Easter eggs” with a couple hashtags moulded right into them.

2026 Toyota Prius Specs

The Prius comes all-in; the only options are two extra-charge paint shades, and dealer-installed accessories such as door protection mouldings. The XLE includes an eight-inch centre touchscreen, automatic climate control, a power driver’s seat, heated front seats in faux leather, a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, and 19-inch wheels.

The Limited trim further adds a power hatch, wireless phone charger, self-parking system, 12.3-inch centre touchscreen, premium audio, heated rear seats, ventilated front seats, driver’s side memory, a digital rearview mirror, and fixed glass roof. Both trims come with trials to subscription-based connection services including a remote app. Both can use a Google-based connection service including navigation, but it’s available on the XLE, while the Limited includes it for a three-year trial.  2026 Toyota Prius Images

Engine and Performance

The Prius uses a 2.0L four-cylinder engine that, on its own, makes 150 hp and 139 lb-ft of torque. It’s mated to twin electric motor-generators, with a combined output of 196 hp. That’s a considerable upgrade from the previous Prius, which used a 1.8L engine and made a combined 121 hp. The extra power is appreciated, especially for highway passing.

As before, it uses an automatic continuously-variable transmission (CVT), which drives the front wheels. Another electric motor powers the rear wheels when AWD is needed for extra traction. The lithium-ion hybrid battery self-charges through regenerative braking and doesn’t get plugged in. Should you want a PHEV, which can be charged to provide a range of battery-only driving, there’s the Prius Prime.

2026 Toyota Prius Fuel Economy

The Prius is rated by Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) at 4.8 L/100 km in the city, 4.7 on the highway, and 4.8 in combined driving. I came in a little higher in my week with it, finishing at 5.4. It runs on 87-octane gasoline. That 4.8 L/100 km combined is unchanged from the 2022 Prius, despite being larger and more powerful.  2026 Toyota Prius Images

2026 Toyota Prius Safety Features

While this was being written, neither the IIHS had given ratings to the new Prius. However, all new cars are required to have a backup camera, adaptive cruise control, automatic high-beam lighting, lane-keeping and tracing help, and emergency front braking with pedestrian recognition as standard features.  2026 Toyota Prius Images

Some assist features have also been updated from the outgoing Prius. The emergency braking gets improved front detection and can now detect motorcycles, along with pedestrians and cyclists; the lane departure system can detect items such as guard rails, which help it determine where the lane is; the adaptive cruise control has four following-distance settings, up from three; and if you’re unable to steer, such as in a medical emergency, the Prius can slow and stop itself.

2026 Toyota Prius Price and Release Date

At $38,510 and $44,850 for its two trims, the Prius is a little pricey in its small segment of similarly sized hybrid cars. The Hyundai Elantra comes in a single hybrid trim that rings in at $31,074 before tax, while the Toyota Corolla Hybrid ranges from $27,750 for the front-wheel-drive base trim to $36,050 for the range-topping all-wheel-drive version. Meanwhile, the Prius Prime is $40,010 to $48,850 but qualifies for federal, provincial, and territorial incentives.  2026 Toyota Prius Images