New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG, Engine, Price

New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG, Engine, Price  –    The New 2026 Toyota Prius has been completely overhauled, and if you’ve always thought of it as a frumpy little machine that you bought strictly for fuel economy, think again. It’s redesigned inside and out, it’s more powerful thanks to a new engine and hybrid system, and it’s a pleasure to drive, with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). It comes in two trims, starting with the XLE at $38,510, including a non-negotiable delivery fee of $1,860. I tested the top Limited trim at $44,850. It’s also available as the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which comes in three trims that range from $40,010 to $48,850 before tax and government incentives.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

New 2026 Toyota Prius Redesign and Update Plan

Exterior and Interior

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.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

New 2026 Toyota Prius Specs

The Prius seats five, but they shouldn’t be too tall; the headroom is tight. 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.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

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.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

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.

New 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.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

New 2026 Toyota Prius Safety Features

The standard features include adaptive cruise control, emergency front braking with pedestrian detection, lane-keeping and tracing assist, and automatic high-beam headlights, along with the back-up camera that’s mandatory on all new vehicles.

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.  New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

New 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.   New 2026 Toyota Prius MPG

For its much-better looks, more power, and improved ride and handling, the New 2026 Toyota Prius is impressive. It’s not perfect, but it does enough right that it needs to be cross-shopped when you’re in the market. It’s no longer just about fuel efficiency, but that’s just another point in its favour.