2022 Toyota Prius Review

Name: 2022 Toyota Prius Review
Brand: Toyota
Price: 18545 USD

Toyota Prius L Eco 4dr Hatchback Exterior

Toyota Prius Limited 4dr Hatchback Exterior Shown

+286

The Toyota Prius is synonymous with hybrid vehicles, and for good reason. It's comfortable, highly efficient and practical. Although "fun!" is not the first thing that comes to mind when you think of the Prius, it's good where it matters.

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2022 Toyota Prius Review

byCameron Rogers^{Manager, News
Cameron Rogers has worked in the automotive industry since 2013. He has tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Today, he leads the news team in developing cutting-edge news articles, opinion pieces and sneak peeks at upcoming vehicles. Favorite cars that he's driven during his tenure at Edmunds include the 991-era Porsche 911 Turbo S, Rolls-Royce Ghost and several generations of Honda Odyssey (really).}

Pros

Capable of returning 50-plus mpg
Quiet cabin, even with the gas engine engaged
Easy to see out of and maneuver around town
Available all-wheel drive

Cons

Offset instrument panel is out of driver's direct line of sight
Acceleration can be sluggish
Jittery ride quality on rough pavement
Standard infotainment system is dated

What's new

Nightshade model is effectively last year's 2020 Edition trim level under a different name
Part of the fourth Prius generation introduced for 2016

Overview

If you've never heard of the Prius, you've also never seen standup from hacky 2000s-era comedians, attended a Greenpeace rally or screamed at a coastal elite from your coal-rolling brodozer. For better or worse, the 2022 Toyota Prius is the unofficial mascot of the eco-conscious movement, as well as being the go-to pick for Uber and Lyft drivers. This small hatchback is one of the most efficient hybrids on the market, though the fuel savings come at the cost of a jittery ride, lethargic acceleration and a subpar infotainment interface. Rivals including the Honda Insight and Kia Niro are more luxurious and comfortable, and only slightly thirstier.

Cost to Drive^{Cost to drive estimates for the 2022 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.}

Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio

$78/mo

$179/mo

Avg. Compact Car

Calculate my fuel costs

Given this generation's advanced age, we have to believe that a new Prius is right around the corner. Alas, Toyota's ultra-popular hybrid soldiers on virtually unchanged from last year's model. The primary difference is that the 2020 Edition trim level (which, somewhat confusingly, was only available for the 2021 model year) has been replaced by the Nightshade variant. But since they share a similar feature set, you can think of this as a mere name change.

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 and racked 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 2022 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

Our Verdict^{The Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.}

Average

7.3

out of 10

edmunds TESTED

Rated for you by America's best test team.

Performance

6.5/10

How does the Prius drive? You're not buying a Prius to get engaging performance. In Edmunds' testing, our all-wheel-drive Prius test car covered 0-60 mph in 10.5 seconds, which is among the slowest cars around, hybrid or not. (Perhaps somewhat paradoxically, the lighter, front-wheel-drive Prius was marginally slower.) The Prius is also pretty tepid when it comes to agility and handling precision.

We do like the Prius' easy-driving nature and its smooth transitions from electric motor drive to gasoline engine power. Another Prius advantage is its available all-wheel drive. It should be noted, though, that the rear wheels only intervene when the front wheels lose traction. So in most dry-weather scenarios, you'll never feel them working.

Comfort

7.5/10

How comfortable is the Prius? The front seats are softly padded. Most drivers will find them comfortable for the long haul, though taller drivers or those with long legs might find the seat bottoms to be a few inches too short. The cabin is generally quiet unless you floor the gas pedal, at which point the engine gets rather raucous.

Another downside is the Prius' ride quality over broken pavement and concrete expansion joints. The impacts from these types of bumps can make the car feel jittery. Since the car is so quiet, these bumps are perhaps more noticeable than they'd otherwise be.

Interior

7.5/10

How’s the interior? The Prius is a fundamentally easy car to get into and drive. Aside from the shifter, all other controls will feel immediately comfortable to the majority of drivers. Most drivers should also be able to find a comfortable driving position thanks to the seat's wide range of adjustability.

But we wish there was more telescoping range in the steering wheel, and most of the instrument panel information is not in the driver's line of sight. The 11.6-inch screen on the top-tier Limited model has most of the car's climate control settings and buttons in on-screen submenus. From an ease-of-use standpoint, it seems like a step backward from the dedicated physical buttons on lower Prius trim levels.

Technology

6.5/10

How’s the tech? As advanced as the Prius is from a powertrain standpoint, it can seem a little odd that it comes up a bit short in in-car tech. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration is standard, but the standard infotainment system looks and feels dated. Even the big 11.6-inch screen on the top-tier Limited model seems like a gimmick since Toyota doesn't do much to take advantage of the larger space.

The Prius, however, comes standard with a full suite of advanced driving aids. Most of them work well, and the adaptive cruise control can bring the Prius to a complete stop.

Storage

8.5/10

How’s the storage? Thanks to its cavernous hatchback cargo area and fold-down rear seatbacks, the Prius is quite useful for carrying luggage, groceries or whatever else you want to put back there. Up front, there's enough in-cabin storage for the daily odds and ends, and the cupholders securely hold beverages under the circumstances in which most Priuses are typically driven.

Fuel Economy

8.5/10

How’s the fuel economy? The Prius is known for its frugal use of gasoline. The EPA estimates a range of up to 56 mpg in combined city/highway driving for the Eco trim level or down to 49 mpg with all-wheel drive. In our own fuel economy testing of a couple of Prius test cars, we've been able to verify that the EPA's estimates are achievable in real-world driving.

Value

7.5/10

Is the Prius a good value? The Prius' interior feels well built even if some cabin materials are a little too plasticky. It's still one of the best vehicles for fuel economy, and the AWD version delivers some extra assurance for drivers who live in snow country.

As for warranties, Toyota gives you its regular coverage, which includes a longer duration (eight years or 100,000 miles) for the hybrid components. You also get Toyota's two years of free scheduled maintenance.

Wildcard

7.0/10

The Prius isn't exciting to drive or filled with luxury features. Instead, the Prius is all about being easy to drive, practical and comfortable and, of course, saving on gas.

Which Prius does Edmunds recommend?

There are two trims that stand out in the Prius lineup. The base L Eco wins accolades for its reasonable price and abundance of standard features. But if you have a little wiggle room in your budget, we think it's worth upgrading to the XLE. Its imitation leather upholstery and trim goes a long way to dress up the interior, and upgrades including heated front seats and an auto-dimming mirror will pay dividends in everyday use.

2022 Toyota Prius models

The 2022 Toyota Prius is a four-door hatchback hybrid that seats five passengers. The front-wheel-drive model is available in five trim levels: L Eco, LE, XLE, Nightshade Edition and Limited. The Prius AWD-e, which has all-wheel drive, is offered in the LE and XLE and Nightshade Edition trims only. All Prius models are driven by a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine paired to a hybrid powertrain (121 total system horsepower) and a continuously variable automatic transmission. Significant features include:

L Eco
Fairly basic but includes:

15-inch wheels
Automatic LED headlights
Heated mirrors
Keyless entry (driver's door only) and ignition
Automatic climate control
Height-adjustable driver's seat
7-inch touchscreen
Six-speaker audio system
Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and Amazon Alexa compatibility
Wi-Fi hotspot

All Prius trims also come with:

Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Prius and the car in front)
Lane departure warning (alerts you if the vehicle begins to drift out of its lane)
Automatic high beam control
Road sign assist (displays relevant road signs such as speed limits)
Automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Blind-spot monitor (alerts you if a vehicle in the next lane over is in your blind spot)
Rear cross-traffic alert (warns you if a vehicle behind you is about to cross your vehicle's path while you're in reverse)

LE
Adds a few features, with:

Rear window wiper
Cargo cover
Parking sensors (alert you to obstacles that may not be visible in front of or behind the vehicle when parking)
Automated parallel parking system (steers into a parking spot with no driver intervention)

XLE
Adds nice-to-have features such as:

17-inch wheels
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Keyless entry (for both front doors and rear hatch)
Auto-dimming rearview mirror
Heated front seats
Simulated leather seating surfaces (SofTex)
Heated and SofTex-wrapped steering wheel
Power-adjustable driver's seat
SofTex-trimmed door panel
Wireless charging pad

Nightshade Edition
New for 2022, the Nightshade Edition model builds off the XLE trim and adds unique visual touches such as:

Black-painted 15-inch wheels (Prius AWD-e)
Black-painted 17-inch wheels (Prius)
Black exterior trim elements

Limited
Tops the range with:

Adaptive headlights (swivel as you turn the steering wheel for better illumination in curves)
Head-up display (displays important information in your sight line on the windshield)
Navigation system
11.6-inch touchscreen
10-speaker JBL audio system

The Prius doesn't offer much in the way of option packages, but there are a handful available for certain trims. On the options list are:

Advanced Technology package (XLE only)

Adaptive headlights
Head-up display
Navigation system

Premium Convenience package (Prius XLE and Limited only)

15-inch wheels
Sunroof

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 2022 Toyota Prius.

5 (78%)

4 (15%)

3 (3%)

2 (0%)

1 (4%)

4.6

27 reviews

Write a vehicle review See all 27 reviews

Most helpful consumer reviews

Prius is still the king in my book.

Pete in Florida, 12/17/2020

2021 Toyota Prius XLE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I bought my 2021 Prius XLE a little over a month ago. This is my 4th Prius I've owned. This one is definitely my favorite. Heated seats and heated steering wheel, all the safety stuff, Alexa and Android Auto, leather. The car feels more substantial than the other Priuses I've owned. Fuel mileage obviously is insane, 55 mpgs on the highway, and city driving is always over 60 mpgs. …

1st hybrid, so far, love it

surly jason, 04/10/2021

2021 Toyota Prius LE 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

I've owned a ton of cars through the years; back in 2014, I got a Prius as a rental and remember enjoying it very much. I finally got tired of putting gas in my tank and started doing some research on Prii -- they are made in Japan and have legendary reliability. Checking fuelly, it seems like the later models all get about 50 mpg. I test drove several Prii but decided on a gray LE … model with black interior. I've owned it about 3 weeks and 1,200 miles and really like it: it's extremely quiet, smooth and pleasant to drive. I've had to put gas in it twice which is a welcome relief. It's not that I can't afford gas, I just hate stopping to put it in. I no longer feel compelled to gas up after taking a 200-mile trip because there's still about 350 - 400 miles of range left (which is what many cars have with a full tank -- like my previous CRV, for instance). I can't imagine going back to a conventional car that gets conventional mileage. There is definitely a place for larger vehicles -- like if you have a large family, you're a tradesman and carry a bunch of stuff around, or you tow things -- but I bet if lots of people were honest with themselves and what their needs are, and they tried a Prius, they'd be pleased. I am extremely happy with my purchase. UPDATE, 10/12: Love this car. I have right around 8,000 miles on it and the vehicle has consumed 134 gallons of gasoline. My operating cost per mile is about $0.51. I love how quiet the car is. The air conditioning is also the coldest and most effective system I've experienced. I am hoping the heat will be half as effective come winter and I'll be happy. I'm about 6' tall and I feel comfy in the car but I can see how a larger car could be more comfortable for someone who wants more legroom; as it is, I scrape the tops of my legs against the bottom of the steering wheel upon entry and exit. Improvements I'd like: the steering wheel to telescope out further. The automatic locking system to work on all doors not just the driver's door (I have to fish out my key fob to open the hatch if it's locked -- most newer cars have a proximity sensor so when you're near the car, pressing any of the external buttons unlocks the doors without resorting to pushing the buttons on the fob). I'd also like a self-dimming rear mirror. This is a pretty basic car and it could be that higher trim levels address my wants. I don't plan to get rid of this car but I could see getting a Camry or a RAV4 hybrid to supplement this vehicle when my significant other's car nears time for replacement. I am just so impressed with this car. I bought it to take us places on the weekends so we don't have to think about gas and it's met every expectation. I rarely go below a half-tank which means we travel about 300 miles and consume about 5 gallons of fuel doing so. The fuel range is phenomenal and I love driving the thing. April 17th, 2022 update: have owned "Alice" more than a year and over 13k miles. Still love the car and enjoy driving it every time. Mpg dipped to high 40s / low 50s over the winter but is rebounding to mid to upper 50s as it's getting warmer. One of many things I love is leaving the car "on" with the heat running while getting gas because the engine stays off and I re-enter a toasty car. The biggest thing I dislike is how low Prius is. They make lift-kits for these and honestly 1 1/2" of height would be terrific. I'm not buying a lift-kit but it would be helpful. The car is great and I still think 80% of motorists could get by with a Prius. I love my little putt-putt !! UPDATE, 10/18/22: still love my putt-putt, Alice. No complaints or problems. No unusual maintenance. Just passed 20k miles. There's a little wear on the fabric seats but I have to remind myself it's just a cheap little car. I may look into getting some colorful seat covers ... I love not having to think about my car, maintaining it, doing much of anything except pushing the start button and going. I recently inherited a CRV and while I enjoy the space inside and higher ground clearance, it's frustrating how much gas it uses compared to the Prius. UPDATE 4/18/23: Prius has been totally dependable and I still love driving it. She has about 27,000 miles and over the past 10 fill-ups, has averaged right averaged just over 56 mpg; I expect this to increase with the warmer temperatures. The Prius and CRV make a great vehicular combo -- one with tons of cargo space, AWD, ground clearance; the other with terrific comfort and excellent mpg. I went and saw the new Prii and while they're more powerful, they're also smaller inside so I remain extremely pleased with mine :-) Five stars and two thumbs up !! UPDATE 10/20/23: Nearly 38K miles and nothing but oil changes, new wipers, new cabin air filter, and new tires. I make money driving the car with the current IRS reimbursement rate and I love to drive my car. Every time I get into it, it feels like "my new car." When I got the new tires, the dealer offered me a 2023 Prius as a loaner. I liked the extra power but the interior felt smaller and I disliked how the steering wheel obstructed the instrument panel. If they bring the bright yellow to the US, however, well, I may have to get one. In the meantime, loving my '21 Prius, Alice. UPDATE 4/25/24: I've never been as satisfied with a vehicle as I am with Alice. Nearing 50,000 miles and no problems. I enjoy every drive in her. Still smooth, quiet, and reliably averaging between 50 - 60 mpg. I believe the average lifetime mpg is just over 59 mpg. I have seriously considered a Camry Hybrid but I value the hatchback too much to make the change. I would consider a small hybrid SUV if they approached the mpg of Prius but they don't. I think what I'd like would be a Camry Hybrid in wagon format. In the meantime, I have no plans to get rid of Alice.

Forget the gas pumps!!

LarryS, 04/21/2022

2022 Toyota Prius Limited 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

Just got the 2022 Prius Limited and drove about 55 miles home with it and the system stated 65.3 MPG !!! I averaged about 60MPH during my drive. The seats are very comfortable and the lumbar adjustment was perfect. The car is full of safety features and is surprisingly quiet and smooth. The cruise control worked perfectly and maintained the proper distance and pace. The sound system is …

new to hybrids review

Eleanor, 04/10/2021

2021 Toyota Prius LE AWD-e 4dr Hatchback AWD (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

There is a lot to learn for someone who has never driven a hybrid or a car with as much info on the instrument cluster as the 2021 Prius Hybrid LE with AWD. So far, the car is handling well and there is lots of interior space. I am entertained by the car's evaluation of my driving efficiency after I turn the power off. So far, I have been told that I accelerated too much, used the A/C …

We have a limited number of reviews for the 2022 Toyota Prius, so we've included reviews for other years of the Prius since its last redesign.

See all 27 reviews of the Toyota Prius

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2022 Prius Highlights

Trim:

L Eco

Base MSRP Excludes Destination Fee	$25,075
Engine Type	Hybrid
Combined MPG	56 MPG
Cost to Drive	$78/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 of potential collisions, then automatically applies the brakes if you don't react.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist: Alerts you if the car drifts out of its lane and can apply steering input to correct the course.
Intelligent Clearance Sonar: Alerts you to the presence of obstacles in front of or behind 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
Passenger5 / 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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2022 Toyota Prius Review

2022 Toyota Prius Review

Pros

Cons

What's new

Overview

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2022 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 $3.50 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.

What's it like to live with?

Edmunds Expert Rating

Performance

Comfort

Interior

Technology

Storage

Fuel Economy

Value

Wildcard

Which Prius does Edmunds recommend?

2022 Toyota Prius models

Reliability Ratings by RepairPal

Cost

Frequency

Severity

Most helpful consumer reviews

Prius is still the king in my book.

1st hybrid, so far, love it

Forget the gas pumps!!

new to hybrids review

2022 Prius Highlights

Safety

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