2026 Best PHEV: Toyota Prius PHEV

The Toyota Prius may be one of the most influential nameplates ever, as it popularized the concept of gas-electric hybrid cars when it debuted about a quarter century ago. These days, the Toyota Prius is better than ever, and impressive enough to be a three-time repeat winner of the 2026 AutoTrader Award for Best PHEV. It’s now called the Prius PHEV instead of the Prius Prime, but it's the same formula that made the plug-in hybrid so popular with AutoTrader’s group of more than automotive experts from across the country. The Prius PHEV sets the bar with its excellent efficiency, driving dynamics, and equipment.

The key component of the Prius PHEV is its powertrain. It features an electric motor with a 2.0L four-cylinder engine and a 13.6-kWh lithium-ion battery. Combined, the motors make 220 hp, which goes to the front wheels via an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. That’s a hefty dose of power for the Prius PHEV, even more than a performance-oriented car like the Honda Civic Si. The Prius PHEV made an impressive leap in performance with its new generation and has been on top ever since.

Of course, the real reason to love the Prius PHEV is its efficiency. Its hybrid powertrain is capable of accommodating commutes without consuming any gas at all, with an estimated electric driving range of 72 km for the SE trims and 64 km for the XSE trims. When the battery is depleted (or if you want to save its range for another time), the Prius PHEV SE consumes just 4.5 L/100 km in combined conditions, while the XSE isn’t much worse at 4.9 L/100 km.

A starting price of $43,573 means the Prius PHEV SE is a great bargain and will continue to deliver low running costs thanks to its thrifty consumption and Toyota’s reputation for reliability. It comes with a standard heated steering wheel, heated front seats, an eight-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and 17-inch wheels.

The XSE trim adds a few more goodies, including heated rear seats, a wireless phone charger, a larger infotainment screen, and 19-inch wheels. Shoppers can opt for a Nightshade Edition version of the Toyota Prius PHEV, which is new for 2026 and adds blacked-out elements, including black doorsills, door handles, wheels, and interior trim. Additionally, shoppers can upgrade to the $52,058 XSE Premium, which adds a few cool tech features like an advanced parking feature, panoramic camera view, a rear camera washer, a powered liftgate, and an upgraded sound system.

The Prius PHEV is more than just a sharp-looking and efficient liftback. It's pretty practical too, with 575 litres of storage space behind the rear seats, which expands to 756 L with those seats folded. That's much more cargo space than what’s offered by the mid-size Camry.

Putting a bow on the whole package, the Prius PHEV delivers a more responsive and engaging driving experience, especially compared to past Prius models. Thanks to the tried-and-true TNGA platform, which underpins several other Toyota vehicles, the Prius is a fantastic handling car, making it much more rewarding to drive.

The Prius PHEV is a pioneer and continues to set the standard for plug-in hybrids. This excellence is exactly what our experts are looking for when voting for the best vehicles.