2019 Toyota Prius Review

Name: 2019 Toyota Prius Review
Brand: Toyota
Price: 17312 USD

Toyota Prius L Eco 4dr Hatchback Exterior

Toyota Prius Limited 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

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Edmunds' Expert Review

byMark Takahashi^{Correspondent
Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the Edmunds YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.}

Pros

Capable of returning 50-plus miles per gallon
Quiet cabin, even with the gas engine engaged
Easy to see out of and maneuver around town
Newly available all-wheel drive

Cons

Offset instrument panel is out of driver's direct line of sight
Must use Toyota's Entune app to make the most of a smartphone connection
Acceleration can be sluggish
Driving over broken pavement feels choppier than it should

What's new

Debut of AWD-e model
Styling refresh simplifies exterior appearance
New trim level names: L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited
Previously white interior elements are now black
Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016

More and more hybrid vehicles are coming out every year, yet the Toyota Prius, the granddaddy of them all, remains at the forefront. It provides high fuel economy (more than 50 mpg), a comfortable ride and a versatile cargo area. There's also the argument for peace of mind since Toyota certainly has a long history of making reliable hybrid vehicles.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2019 Toyota Prius L Eco 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.64 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$82/mo

$183/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

For 2019, car shoppers have another reason to consider the Prius: available all-wheel drive. The new Prius AWD-e adds an electric motor to drive the rear wheels for better initial traction between 0 and 6 mph and re-engages when front tire slippage is detected at speeds up to 43 mph. If you live in an area that has snowy or icy roads during the winter, the AWD-e could provide extra traction. Fuel economy suffers only slightly with the Prius AWD-e.

But any Prius comes with a trade-off: performance. The Prius is neither quick nor engaging to drive. Additionally, its infotainment system isn't the easiest to use and lacks Apple CarPlay or Android Auto smartphone integration. We recommend giving the Prius a shot, but newer, more well-rounded competitors such as the Honda Insight make it a somewhat tougher sell.

What's it like to live with?

To learn more about the Toyota Prius of this generation, read about our experiences from living with a 2016 Toyota Prius. After its debut, we went out and bought one, holding onto it for almost four years and racking up more than 30,000 miles. We cover everything from this hybrid's real-world fuel economy to seat comfort and cargo space. Please note that the 2019 Toyota Prius differs from our long-term 2016 model in that the newer model has updated styling and more standard features. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.

Edmunds' Expert Rating

7.4 / 10

Trim tested

Each vehicle typically comes in multiple versions that are fundamentally similar. The ratings in this review are based on our full test of the Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e Hatchback (1.8L inline-4 hybrid | CVT automatic | AWD).

Scorecard

Overall	7.4 / 10
Driving	6.5
Comfort	7.5
Interior	8.0
Utility	8.5
Technology	6.5

Driving

6.5

You're not buying a Prius for its engaging handling prowess. Most buyers will accept its tepid acceleration, numb steering, and soft brakes in exchange for its excellent fuel economy. The Prius' new advantage, however, is that it's available with all-wheel drive. It should be noted, however, that the rear wheels only intervene when the front wheels lose traction. So in most dry-weather scenarios, you'll never feel them working.

Acceleration

6.0

Acceleration is adequate. A 9.8-second 0-60 mph time is near the bottom of the segment, though the Prius has enough zip off the line to feel lively around town.

Braking

7.0

In our emergency braking test, the Prius posted an average stopping performance. Except at crawling speeds, pedal feel is smooth and linear without any of the awkwardness indicative of many hybrid systems.

Steering

7.0

The steering is direct, though it doesn't provide much feedback from the road. The system is well-weighted, and little effort is required to point the Prius in the intended direction without catching grooves or seams.

Handling

7.5

The Prius feels responsive and reasonably agile on the street. Body roll is present and the tires fight for grip, but the car never feels unwieldy or dangerous. The Prius remains composed over midcorner bumps and dips.

Drivability

8.5

The transition from EV to hybrid mode is unobtrusive, though the engine sounds harsh when firing up. Acceleration is smooth. The cruise control holds speed well going both up- and downhill.

Comfort

7.5

The seats and suspension were designed to be comfortable for long stints on the road. But broken pavement and concrete expansion joints reveal the Prius' weakness. The impacts from these types of bumps can make the car feel jittery. Due to how quiet the car is, these bumps are perhaps more noticeable than they would be otherwise.

The climate control system is effective, and we appreciate the ability to shut off registers when driving solo and set it for reduced power in exchange for more fuel efficiency. The seat heater switches have also been relocated where they are easily accessed.

Seat comfort

8.0

The seat offers a lot of vertical adjustment, but there's no lumbar adjustment. The seat cushion remains comfortable after long drives. The moderate side bolstering supports without squeezing.

Ride comfort

9.0

The Prius is smooth and composed on the street. Rebound over bumps is minimal, and the car never feels too bouncy or too stiff. Broken or uneven pavement doesn't upset the car or translate into a harsh ride quality.

Noise & vibration

7.0

Extremely quiet in EV mode, but the engine provides a noticeable hum, which is exacerbated when the transmission keeps the engine's rpm high. Wind noise is moderate and not overly booming.

Climate control

7.0

Single-zone automatic climate control is standard across the board and works reasonably well. The S mode function smartly cuts airflow to unoccupied seats to reduce power use by the A/C system. The heated front seats adequately warm passengers, but the switches' awkward location (under the center console) makes it easy to forget when they're on.

Interior

8.0

The Prius is a fundamentally easy car to get in and drive. Aside from the shifter, all other controls will feel immediately comfortable to the majority of drivers, and they'll easily be able to find a comfortable driving position.

We wish there was more telescoping range in the steering wheel, however, and most of the instrument panel information is not in the driver's line of sight.

Ease of use

8.0

The touchscreen is user-friendly and very responsive, but other functions are controlled by touch-capacitive icons and not real buttons. Most controls are simple and well-placed, but the odd shifter design and center-mounted gauges provide no tangible benefit.

Getting in/getting out

9.0

The Prius is quite easy to get in and out of. The doors open wide, allowing easy access to the front. Rear-seat access is also good but is hampered slightly by the sloping roofline.

Roominess

8.5

There's generous room in front for heads, legs and shoulders. Rear seating is also very good.

Visibility

8.5

Forward visibility is great, with large windows and a low dash providing a great view. Rear visibility is OK, but the split in the glass cuts through the sightline. Over-the-shoulder visibility is only slightly hindered by a sloping roof.

Quality

8.0

The Prius feels solidly built, and overall it uses nice materials throughout the cabin. But it is beginning to slip behind competitors such as the Honda Insight and Accord Hybrid. The very plasticky trim on the center console of certain models will prove polarizing for some buyers.

Utility

8.5

Thanks to its cavernous hatchback cargo area (24.6 cubic feet of space) and fold-down rear seatbacks, the Prius is a tremendously functional car. There's enough in-cabin storage for the daily odds and ends, and the cupholders will securely hold beverages under the circumstances in which most Priuses are typically driven.

Small-item storage

8.0

Storage for small items is surprisingly good in this compact hatchback. If you aren't using the Qi charging pad, you can store plenty of stuff under the center stack. The center console is narrow but deep, and even the rear cupholders have decent depth. None of the door pockets are spacious.

Cargo space

8.5

The Prius provides a generous cargo area (24.6 cubic feet), with folding rear seats for extra space. The rear seats fold flat relative to the ground, but there's a level change from the cargo load floor. We like that you can fold the rear seats without moving the front seats forward.

Child safety seat accommodation

7.5

The four lower LATCH anchors are large and easy to access, hidden thoughtfully behind leather flaps. Tethers are located halfway down the seatback, under cutouts in the seatback fabric. The tethers are impossible to access without removing the cargo cover first.

Technology

6.5

For as advanced as the Prius is from a powertrain standpoint, it can seem a little odd that it comes up short for having the latest in-car tech. If you consider it an old-school car with a modern look and feel, it'll make more sense. Our test car even lacked a navigation system, and there was no way to mirror smartphone data onto the built-in screen. If you're looking for these features, you'll have to look elsewhere.

The Prius, however, comes with a full suite of advanced driving aids standard. Most of them work well, and the adaptive cruise control can bring the Prius to a complete stop. But you shouldn't use it in stop-and-go traffic. It tends to be too conservative on acceleration and too aggressive on braking. The driver behind you won't be a fan of this herky-jerky style.

Audio & navigation

7.0

The touchscreen interface is ugly and sometimes cluttered, but it's functional and easy to operate once you get used to it. Onboard navigation is available. The maps are less attractive than what you'll find on your smartphone, but they offer a good alternative if you're without cell service. The screen washes out in direct sunlight.

Smartphone integration

6.0

The Prius offers Toyota's in-house Entune software for smartphone integration. Setup requires a lengthy app download and account creation process. Entune's app support is meager and less intuitive than CarPlay or Android Auto (neither of which is offered). The Bluetooth menu offers better control and search functionality than most other Bluetooth systems.

Driver aids

7.5

A ton of driving aids are standard, and most are available on the lowly Prius Two trim. There's even an automated parking function on high-end models. There's good feature availability, and most work well. Like many competing systems, the adaptive cruise control is overly sensitive and slams on the brakes as drivers enter your lane.

Voice control

7.0

Voice controls work reasonably well. There's some natural speech detection, so you don't have to follow the voice prompts religiously. You can interact with your phone's mobile assistant, but you hold the phone call button, rather than the more common voice control button, to access it.

2019 Toyota Prius models

The 2019 Toyota Prius is a four-door hatchback that seats five passengers. It's available in four trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE and Limited. A new AWD-e Prius debuts this year and is offered in the LE and XLE trims.

Power for the Prius comes from a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors/generators. Their combined 121 horsepower is sent through a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) to the front wheels. The AWD-e models add an electric motor for the rear axle.

The L Eco trim is equipped with ultra-low-rolling resistance tires, a lighter hybrid battery, and an inflation kit instead of a spare tire. Those features help contribute to the L Eco's impressive 56 mpg combined rating. The other Prius trims are rated at 52 mpg or 50 mpg (AWD-e).

Standard features for the L Eco include 15-inch wheels, automatic LED headlights, LED running lights and taillights, heated mirrors, keyless entry (driver door only) and ignition, automatic climate control, dual 4.2-inch driver information screens, adaptive cruise control, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, cloth upholstery, a height-adjustable driver's seat and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

Also standard is a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth, a front USB port and two rear charge ports and a six-speaker audio system. Standard safety features include automatic high beams, forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking and lane departure warning and intervention.

The LE trim adds a rear window wiper, front seatback pockets, a spare tire, parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, and an automated parallel parking system.

Stepping up to the XLE trim brings 17-inch wheels, automatic wipers, keyless entry for the front passenger door and rear hatch, SofTex simulated leather upholstery and wrapped steering wheel, a power-adjustable driver's seat, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a semi-gloss black center console and a wireless charging pad. It also reverts back to the tire inflation kit.

At the top of the Prius range is the Limited trim that adds adaptive headlights, a head-up display, Toyota's Safety Connect emergency communications, a navigation system, an 11.6-inch touchscreen, and a 10-speaker premium JBL audio system with satellite radio.

Some features, including a sunroof, are available on supporting trims as options.

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Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

4.5/5Excellent

#6 out of 28 among Midsize Cars

RepairPal Reliability Ratings are based on the actual cost, frequency, and severity of unscheduled repairs and maintenance on make/model data for select 2008-2022 vehicles. The reliability of a specific vehicle may vary depending on its maintenance and driving history, model year, trim, and features.

Cost

^{The average total annual cost for unscheduled repairs and maintenance across all model years of the Toyota Prius from 2008-2022.}

$351/yr

vs. $415/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Frequency

^{The average number of times this model is brought into the shop for unscheduled repairs and maintenance in a single year. RepairPal calculates this metric by tracking millions of unique vehicles over multiple years to determine an average number of visits per year (omitting small routine visits, e.g., oil changes).}

0.71x/yr

vs. 0.87x/yr
for Average Midsize Car

Severity

^{The probability that a repair will be a major issue, meaning the repair costs 3x the average annual repair cost for all models. This threshold will be higher for vehicles that have higher labor rates and parts costs (such as a premium brand).}

10.9%

vs. 10.2%
for Average Midsize Car

powered by RepairPal ^{Based on RepairPal reliability data as of 8/23/2023. Ratings are provided by RepairPal and Edmunds is not responsible for their accuracy.}

Consumer reviews

Read what other owners think about the Used 2019 Toyota Prius.

5 (77%)

4 (11%)

3 (7%)

2 (5%)

1 (0%)

4.6

44 reviews

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Most helpful consumer reviews

Rock Solid

Hybrid Cruiser, 05/08/2019

2019 Toyota Prius LE AWD-e 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I am home... this car is where I belong. In less than 24 hours of ownership, this is quite possibly my favorite car ever (and I've owned 17 cars in my life). Took delivery two hours away and recorded a solid 62.5mpg on the highway (keeping in mind the break-in requirements). The CVT is perfect (I came from owning a line of late-model Subarus, and throttle tip-in and rubbery-band …

We adore this car! Getting over 60 mpg often!

Margaret Walker, 08/07/2019

2019 Toyota Prius XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

My husband and I have test driven the Prius since its' inception. We never felt comfortable in it so never purchased it. We decided to try out the 2019 model, the XLE with lumbar support and we bought the car in June 2019. This car is fantastic. It is comfortable, even fun to drive, and the mpg is much higher than stated. One day last summer, my husband drove from downtown NYC to …

Spunky small car

VAR, 06/21/2019

2019 Toyota Prius XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I love my new Prius. I can zip into the narrow parking lot spaces. It gives me a good feeling of safety navigating busy roads: detects and warns if another vehicle is too close; detects pedestrians; if I leave my lane I get a warning and a slight tug on the wheel; and especially the blind spot monitor is a huge advantage. And I get plenty of power!

Here and gone

David R, 07/04/2019

2019 Toyota Prius XLE AWD-e 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Good driving qualities. Averaging over 49 miles per gallon. Softex fabric seat are OK, very hot when left out in the sun. Sound system is above average. Visibility is good. Good back up screen. Traded in a 2006 Prius. The AWD-e provides a quick response from a full stop.

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2019 Toyota Prius, so we've included reviews for other years of the Prius since its last redesign.

See all 44 reviews of the Toyota Prius

Write a vehicle review

2019 Toyota Prius videos

2019 Toyota Prius vs. 2019 Honda Insight -- Hybrid Comparison Battle

When you think of long-standing car rivalries, you might not consider the 2019 Toyota Prius and the 2019 Honda Insight. You should. These two fuel-sipping cars were the vanguard of affordable hybrid technology in the late '90s. And today, they're still at it.

2019 Toyota Prius vs. 2019 Honda Insight -- Hybrid Compariso...

2019 Toyota Prius AWD First Drive

2019 Prius Highlights

Trim:

L Eco

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$23,770
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	56 MPG
Cost to Drive	$82/month
Seating	5 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	27.4 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	front wheel drive
Warranty	3 years / 36,000 miles

See all features & specs

Safety

Our experts like the Prius models:

Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection: Detects cars or pedestrians and warns the driver of potential collisions, then automatically applies the brakes if the driver does not react.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Alerts the driver if the car drifts out of its lane and can apply steering input to correct course.
Intelligent Clearance Sonar: Alerts the driver to the presence of obstacles near the vehicle during low-speed maneuvers.

NHTSA Overall Rating

The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration offers independent analysis.

Frontal Barrier Crash Rating
Overall4 / 5
Driver4 / 5
Passenger4 / 5
Side Crash Rating
Overall5 / 5
Side Barrier Rating
Overall5 / 5
Driver5 / 5
Passenger5 / 5
Combined Side Barrier & Pole Ratings
Front Seat5 / 5
Back Seat5 / 5
Rollover
Rollover4 / 5
Dynamic Test ResultNo Tip
Risk Of Rollover10.7%

IIHS Rating

The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.

Small Overlap Front Driver-Side Test
Good
Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side Test
Acceptable
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original
Good
Moderate Overlap Front Test – Updated
Not Tested
Side Impact Test – Original
Good
Side Impact Test – Updated
Not Tested
Roof Strength Test
Good
Rear Crash Protection / Head Restraint
Good

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