2026 Toyota Prius

One of the first modern hybrids to be sold in the U.S., the Toyota Prius remains the most efficient hybrid vehicle available, with fuel economy as high as 57 mpg in EPA testing. Now that the current generation is entering its fourth year, the shock of the Prius finally being attractive is wearing off, but the relief remains. The fifth-generation car is also the first with available all-wheel drive, making the Prius a practical choice even for drivers who have to battle winter weather.

The Prius doesn't quite have the affordable hybrid market cornered, but there are only a few challengers that can rival its blend of efficiency and affordability. The hybrid Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra and Kia Niro come close, but none can be had with all-wheel drive. Some of the Prius' closest competitors come from the same showroom: The Corolla and Camry hybrids both achieve 50 mpg and offer available all-wheel drive. The Corolla costs several thousand dollars less than the Prius, and the Camry is just slightly more expensive to start.

The Prius' market-leading fuel economy is at the core of its appeal, but to maximize efficiency, buyers have to be selective. It's no wonder the all-wheel-drive Prius doesn't match the front-driver's miserly mileage, but what might surprise some shoppers is that wheel size makes more of a difference in fuel economy than the number of driven wheels. On 16-inch wheels, the front-wheel-drive entry-level Prius LE is the efficiency champion, notching 57 mpg in EPA testing. Add all-wheel drive, and the LE slips to 54 mpg. But even with front-wheel drive, the Prius XLE, Nightshade and Limited can only manage 52 mpg. That's because they ride on 18-inch wheels. Larger wheels and tires weigh more and, therefore, take more energy to spin. The difference is most obvious with EVs, which typically have a lower range with bigger wheels, but some gas cars have lower fuel economy with bigger wheels, too — as does the Prius.