2017 Toyota Prius Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
byDan Frio
Reviews Editor
Dan spent many years covering the go-fast, look-good, get-loud corners of the automotive universe. First, he served as editor of enthusiast magazines AutoSound and Honda Tuning, then as executive editor at SEMA News, the publishing arm of the trade group that produces the annual SEMA Show (yes, that show). As a contributor to Edmunds, he now likes to keep the volume low and the speed limit legal, providing expert car-shopping advice to drivers looking for the perfect match.
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
What’s new
For 2017, the Toyota Prius' formerly optional Safety Sense package (which includes some advanced driver aid features) is now standard on all Prius trims. A new Prius One trim level also debuts this year.
Vehicle overview
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.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2017 Toyota Prius Two 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 $3.35 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$80/mo
Prius Two
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
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.
Notably, we picked the 2017 Toyota Prius as one of Edmunds' Best Used Cars.
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 2017 Toyota Prius differs from our long-term 2016 model in that the newer model includes more standard safety features. It's the same generation, though, so most of our observations still apply.
Edmunds' Expert Rating
If fuel economy is a priority when you're shopping for a new car, you can't do much better than the 2017 Toyota Prius. It delivers some of the best mileage of any car on the road, along with the utility of a hatchback and a comfortable, quiet ride.
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.
2017 Toyota Prius models
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.
2017 Toyota Prius video
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.