2017 Toyota Prius
Pros
- Capable of 50-plus miles per gallon
- Cabin remains quiet even when the gasoline engine is engaged
- Easy to see out of and maneuver around town
- Offers a complete package of high-tech active safety equipment
Cons
- Offset instrument panel is out of driver's direct line of sight
- Must use Toyota's Entune app software to make the most of a smartphone connection
- Still a slow car despite its improved performance versus the previous model
2017 Toyota Prius pricing
in Ashburn, VA
Edmunds' Expert Review
Overall rating
When the Toyota Prius was overhauled for the 2016 model year, it arrived with an updated exterior design, a more accommodating cabin and a much-improved ride quality.
The Prius' essential appeal, of course, is fuel economy. And with an EPA rating of 52 mpg in combined driving, the latest Prius delivers in a big way. Even if you drive it with a heavy foot, this Prius will return better mileage than just about every car on the road.
There's more to like about the Prius than its fuel efficiency. For one, it's a practical hatchback with more cargo room than a typical hybrid sedan. It's also quieter than you'd expect of a compact hatchback, with very little road and engine noise when you're driving around town. And with the exception of Toyota's clunky Entune smartphone app, the technology interface (navigation, audio, phone) is also slick, stylish and easy to use.
Last year's overhaul put more distance between the Prius and its peers. The Chevrolet Volt is an obvious rival, offering similar hatchback utility and more understated style. But it's also a plug-in hybrid (competing more with the plug-in Prius Prime) and is more expensive. Instead, check out the new Hyundai Ioniq Hybrid, which is a surprising equal to the Prius in almost every measure. If you're looking for more rear passenger room, midsize sedans such as the Ford Fusion Hybrid or Toyota Camry Hybrid are also worth considering.
The 2017 Toyota Prius comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, a driver knee airbag and a passenger seat cushion airbag. Also standard for 2017 is a rearview camera forward collision warning, forward collision mitigation with automatic braking, and lane departure warning and intervention. Blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert comes standard on the Prius Four and Four Touring.
The Safety Connect system that can be added to Prius Four and Four Touring is subscription-based (with a one-year free trial) and includes automatic collision notification, stolen vehicle locator, and one-touch access to roadside and emergency assistance.
In Edmunds brake testing, a Prius Three came to a halt from 60 mph in 120 feet, an average result for the class.
2017 Toyota Prius configurations
The 2017 Toyota Prius is a four-door hatchback that seats five passengers. It's available in seven trim levels: One, Two, Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four and Four Touring. The compact Prius C, larger Prius V and plug-in Prius Prime are different models covered in separate reviews.
The Prius One and Two are similarly equipped, with the One missing just a few minor features, such as a rear window wiper. Otherwise, standard feature highlights for both 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 seat, a 60/40-split folding rear seat, a 6.1-inch touchscreen display, a rearview camera, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, voice recognition with Siri Eyes Free, and a six-speaker audio system with a USB port, an auxiliary audio jack and a CD player. All 2017 Prius trims also come standard with forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning and intervention, and automatic high beams.
The more efficient Prius Two Eco comes with ultralow-rolling resistance tires, a lighter lithium-ion hybrid battery, an inflation kit instead of a spare tire, and illuminated keyless entry. The rear wiper that comes standard on the Two trims is not offered here.
Inside the Prius Three you'll find simulated leather on the steering wheel and armrests, white interior accents, a wireless phone charging pad and the Toyota Entune premium infotainment system with a 7-inch touchscreen, navigation, satellite radio, HD radio, and access to apps such as Pandora, iHeartRadio, OpenTable and Yelp when paired with a smartphone running the Entune app.
The Prius Four comes with a blind-spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic wipers, simulated leather upholstery with contrasting white stitching, heated front seats, a power driver seat with adjustable lumbar, seatback storage pockets and a rear cargo cover.
Standard equipment on the Three Touring or Four Touring includes everything from the corresponding Three or Four, plus 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, LED clearance lights, unique rear bumper styling, and imitation-leather upholstery with contrasting blue stitching.
The Prius Three and Four can be upgraded with the Advanced Technology package, which consists of a sunroof and a head-up display. Finally, the Prius Four and Four Touring can be equipped with the Premium Convenience package, which includes a 10-speaker JBL audio system, a self-parking system and Safety Connect emergency services.
The 2017 Toyota Prius comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine and a pair of electric motors/generators. Their combined power is sent through an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) that feeds as much as 121 horsepower to the front wheels. Light to moderate braking transforms one of the electric motors into a generator to keep the hybrid battery topped up.
We tested a Prius Three and recorded a 0-to-60 mph time of 9.8 seconds. That's a few tenths quicker than the last-generation Prius but still slower than most average hatchbacks. By comparison, a Camry Hybrid gets to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds, something to keep in mind if you get nervous when merging onto the highway.
The upside to the Prius' leisurely acceleration is an EPA fuel economy rating of 52 mpg combined (54 city/50 highway). Our on-road testing of a Prius Three proved that this result can be readily matched or surpassed. Those looking for ultimate frugality can turn to the new Prius Two Eco, which returns an astonishing 56 mpg combined (58 city/53 highway).
Driving
The 2017 Prius sacrifices speed for mileage, so its sluggish acceleration is part of the package. With its excellent noise suppression and initial surge of electric acceleration, the Prius doesn't feel particularly slow around town. It mainly suffers during higher speed situations such as getting on a freeway or attempting to pass slower traffic.
One area in which the latest Prius is much improved over its predecessor is the ride quality. It feels more substantial on the road, so you get less noise, fewer jolts over bumps and a solid feel through the steering wheel. It's still not as refined as some other traditional sedans in the midsize class, but considering its level of fuel efficiency, it's not a bad trade-off.
Interior
Older Prius models had a quirky, futuristic interior layout that, although useful, suffered from cheap-looking and cheap-feeling plastics and fabrics. The latest Prius has a more conventional layout and higher-quality materials. A stubby shifter with a separate Park button is used for selecting forward, reverse and neutral. A speedometer and gauge array sits high in the center of the dash, and although it looks cool, it's not an ideal location. There is, however, an optional head-up display that can display the most crucial information directly in front of the driver.
Interesting seat fabrics and imitation leather show up even on lower trim levels, and the layout and controls are easy to understand and use. The 7-inch touchscreen responds quickly to commands, and though high-level smartphone integration requires a clumsy Entune app, you can do without and still have a satisfying experience via USB or Bluetooth audio connections.
Cargo space stands at 24.6 cubic feet, an impressive number that's a full 3 cubic feet more than the previous-generation Prius. The Prius One, Two Eco and Prius Four twins offer even more cavernous space — 27.4 cubic feet — as the lack of a spare tire allows for a lower load floor.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the 2017 Toyota Prius.
Most helpful consumer reviews
2017 Toyota Prius video
TRAVIS LANGNESS: This is Travis Langness, Edmunds editor, with an Expert Rundown of the 2017 Toyota Prius. Well, it's a Prius. I mean, you kind of know what you're getting coming into it, 50 miles to the gallon or more, and that's combined fuel economy. For 2017, the Prius gets the formerly optional Safety Sense package. So it gets that as standard now. You get features like forward collision mitigation and lane departure warning. Great features on the standard option. If fuel economy is the priority, you know the Prius is the car to go with. It's capable of over 50 miles per gallon. We've tested that out with our own long-term Prius. It's still got a quiet cabin. And hatchback design makes for easy access to the cargo area. It's pretty utilitarian. Plus, there's plenty of room for adults in the cabin. If you're using it as a cab or an Uber car, there's a lot of space in the back. And it offers a complete package of high tech available safety equipment, so you can pretty much get as much safety tech as you want. Moving on to the inside, it's got good build quality. The infotainment interface, I'm not a huge fan of. It's difficult to use. Pretty much everything is operated by the touchscreen. And it's really not our favorite on the market. Also Toyota's Entune App software is a little bit hard to connect to, and it's the only way to get everything working on the touchscreen. Bottom line? It's a Prius. It's kind of a known quantity. It gets great fuel economy and everything else falls in line behind it. Some of the chief rivals are actually a little bit bigger, cars like the Ford Fusion Hybrid and the Honda Accord Hybrid. Or even if you're going for a plug-in, we recommend the Chevy Volt. For more reviews of key competitors, go to YouTube and check out more of the Edmunds Expert Rundowns.
2017 Toyota Prius Expert Rundown Review
Looking for a great hybrid that delivers some of the best mileage of any car on the road, along with the utility of a hatchback? The 2017 Toyota Prius might be a good match. Here's a quick rundown of what we like, what we don't and the bottom line from the Edmunds editors.
Features & Specs
Safety
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See your car's valueThe 2017 Toyota Prius isn't much different from the 2016 edition. That's not surprising, since the 2016 Prius had been redesigned from the ground up — and still managed to look like the previous Priuses. After all, the Prius is an icon. It's the gas-electric hybrid car to which all other hybrids must be compared. There is now a growing range of Prius vehicles, but this car is successor to the original.
First on the Prius' list of virtues is fuel economy. The basic Prius is rated by the EPA to sip fuel at the rate of 52 mpg combined (54 city/50 highway). The even stingier Eco model gets 56 mpg combined (58 city/53 highway.)
The 2017 Toyota Prius is also a practical car. This tadpole-shaped paragon of packaging efficiency has five doors (including the rear hatchback) for loading people and cargo and provides plenty of room once they're in. And since it often operates on its electric drive system, it's quiet, with muted road noise.
Toyota's Entune integrated communications and entertainment system can sometimes be inelegant and the smartphone app that goes with it frustrating, but overall the interface between Prius, personal technology and human being is something to which you can quickly acclimate.
The Prius drivetrain features a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 95-horsepower, and it's supplemented by a pair of electric motors housed within a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels. The electricity comes from a regenerative braking system and the gasoline engine itself, and is stored in a lithium-ion battery pack. The end result is a modest peak of 121 hp, which means the Prius is not particularly swift.
There are three Prius models: Two, Three and Four, with each representing a bit more lavish equipment and a bit higher price. Beyond that there are the Two Eco, Three Touring and Four Touring sub-models. There's no way to make a Prius sporty, but the Touring models are nearly luxurious.
There's something pure about the Prius. It wasn't the first purpose-built hybrid, but it was the first to earn significant sales and it's the one that people see when they think “hybrid.” It's one idea pursued relentlessly since the Prius hit the market in 1997.
There's something pure about the Prius. It wasn't the first purpose-built hybrid, but it was the first to earn significant sales and it's the one that people see when they think "hybrid." It's one idea pursued relentlessly since the Prius hit the market in 1997.
Today's car market is filled with hybrids featuring a dizzying variety of technologies. Edmunds can help you decide if the 2017 Toyota Prius is the one that's your perfect fit.
2017 Toyota Prius Overview
The 2017 Toyota Prius is offered in the following submodels: Prius Hatchback. Available styles include Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Four 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Four Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Three 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), Two Eco 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT), and One 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT).
What do people think of the 2017 Toyota Prius?
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Toyota Prius and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Prius 4.5 on a scale of 1 to 5 stars. Edmunds consumer reviews allow users to sift through aggregated consumer reviews to understand what other drivers are saying about any vehicle in our database. Detailed rating breakdowns (including performance, comfort, value, interior, exterior design, build quality, and reliability) are available as well to provide shoppers with a comprehensive understanding of why customers like the 2017 Prius.
Edmunds Expert Reviews
Edmunds experts have compiled a robust series of ratings and reviews for the 2017 Toyota Prius and all model years in our database. Our rich content includes expert reviews and recommendations for the 2017 Prius featuring deep dives into trim levels and features, performance, mpg, safety, interior, and driving. Edmunds also offers expert ratings, road test and performance data, long-term road tests, first-drive reviews, video reviews and more.
Our Review Process
This review was written by a member of Edmunds' editorial team of expert car reviewers. Our team drives every car you can buy. We put the vehicles through rigorous testing, evaluating how they drive and comparing them in detail to their competitors.
We're also regular people like you, so we pay attention to all the different ways people use their cars every day. We want to know if there's enough room for our families and our weekend gear and whether or not our favorite drink fits in the cupholder. Our editors want to help you make the best decision on a car that fits your life.
What's a good price for a New 2017 Toyota Prius?
2017 Toyota Prius Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The 2017 Toyota Prius Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $29,790. The average price paid for a new 2017 Toyota Prius Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is trending $1,399 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $1,399 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$28,391.
The average savings for the 2017 Toyota Prius Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is4.7% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 1 2017 Toyota Prius Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
2017 Toyota Prius Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
The 2017 Toyota Prius Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) can be purchased for less than the Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (aka MSRP) of $25,943. The average price paid for a new 2017 Toyota Prius Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is trending $2,156 below the manufacturer’s MSRP.
Edmunds members save an average of $2,156 by getting upfront special offers. The estimated special offer price in your area is$23,787.
The average savings for the 2017 Toyota Prius Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) is8.3% below the MSRP.
Available Inventory:We are showing 4 2017 Toyota Prius Two 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT) vehicle(s) available in the in the Ashburnarea.
Which 2017 Toyota Priuses are available in my area?
Shop Edmunds' car, SUV, and truck listings of over 6 million vehicles to find a cheap new, used, or certified pre-owned (CPO) 2017 Toyota Prius for sale near. There are currently 6 new 2017 Priuses listed for sale in your area, with list prices as low as $25,953 and mileage as low as 0 miles. Simply research the type of car you're interested in and then select a car from our massive database to find cheap vehicles for sale near you. Once you have identified a used vehicle you're interested in, check the Carfax and Autocheck vehicle history reports, read dealer reviews, and find out what other owners paid for the 2017 Toyota Prius. Then select Edmunds special offers, perks, deals, and incentives to contact the dealer of your choice and save up to $3,038 on a used or CPO 2017 Prius available from a dealership near you.
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Should I lease or buy a 2017 Toyota Prius?
Is it better to lease or buy a car? Ask most people and they'll probably tell you that car buying is the way to go. And from a financial perspective, it's true, provided you're willing to make higher monthly payments, pay off the loan in full and keep the car for a few years. Leasing, on the other hand, can be a less expensive option on a month-to-month basis. It's also good if you're someone who likes to drive a new car every three years or so.
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