more about this model The 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
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.
Consumer ratings and reviews are also available for the 2017 Toyota Prius and all its trim types. Overall, Edmunds users rate the 2017 Prius 4.9 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.
Vehicle
Three Touring 4dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)
Review
The car's handling is a major improvement over that of my previous 2005 Prius. The exterior styling is bold and original. It is an improvement over the stale styling of previous model years. The interior passenger space provides a large amount of room for a small car. It is more comfortable than many larger sized vehicles, and for me the seats are comfortable and provide good support. The car is very quiet inside, a major improvement over my older model. The transition from battery mode to gas engine mode and vice versa is seamless and silent.The audio system produces excellent sound and is easily balanced between front and rear. Visibility ,however, could be better. The front windshield posts still result in blind spots in the front corners' visibility fields, but a bit less so than in my older model. The head rests on the rear seats obscure visibility out of the back and rear corners. I am thankful for the rear view camera. The basic instrument read outs are conveniently located and easy to read. There are a multiple of views for monitoring fuel economy and other performance parameters which are available by scrolling through a large number of screen views using buttons and arrows an the steering wheel. These are interesting but confusing, and they create a major distraction if one attempts to change views while driving. It is best to find the view you like before starting to drive. The voice recognition technology is very poor, particularly if one is used to Siri or Google's voice recognition. Getting it to provide navigation directions is an exercise in frustration, and I find myself defaulting to the map apps on my mobile phone. Toyota's Ensue applications system is a puzzle at best. One wonders why Toyota did not opt to use Apple Car or another system from a technology provider who knows how to build these systems so that they are convenient, intuitive and helpful. The Navigation app in the car suffers from the poor voice recognition system, and there appears to be no other way to enter information into it. The vehicle comes with a daunting multi inch thick manual which I have yet to crack open. However, I think that the operation of these systems should be intuitive. The car is equipped with lane departure warning which works well. It also has collision and pedestrian avoidance systems. However, for obvious reasons one cannot test these until hey are actually needed. I have not had the car long enough to rate its reliability and service requirements, but based on my previous experience with a Prius and other Toyota models, I am expecting a very high level of reliability
See all consumer reviews and retings for the 2017 Toyota Prius
Edmunds Value
Edmunds has deep data on over 6 million new, used, and certified pre-owned vehicles, including rich, trim-level features and specs information like: MSRP, average price paid, warranty information (basic, drivetrain, and maintenance), features (upholstery, bluetooth, navigation, heated seating, cooled seating, cruise control, parking assistance, keyless ignition, satellite radio, folding rears seats ,run flat tires, wheel type, tire size, wheel tire, sunroof, etc.), vehicle specifications (engine cylinder count, drivetrain, engine power, engine torque, engine displacement, transmission), fuel economy (city, highway, combined, fuel capacity, range), vehicle dimensions (length, width, seating capacity, cargo space), car safety, true cost to own. Edmunds also provides tools to allow shopper to compare vehicles to similar models of their choosing by warranty, interior features, exterior features, specifications, fuel economy, vehicle dimensions, consumer rating, edmunds rating, and color
The 2017 Toyota Prius earned a 5-star overall safety rating from NHTSA and "GOOD" ratings from the IIHS in the following caregories: Side Impact Test, Roof Strength Test, Rear Crash Protection/Head Restraint, IIHS Small Overlap Front Test Results, Moderate Overlap Front Test Results, and a JD POWER overall quality rating of 2.0 out of 5. Among Edmunds' many tools and resources for finding your perfect car are detailed safety ratings and analysis from NHTSA, IIHS, and JD Power, including overall ratings, frontal barrier crash ratings, side impact tests and crash ratings, rollover test results, roof strength tests, rear crash protection and head restraint ratings, side barrier ratings, combined side barrier and pole ratings, and more.
Available Toyota Prius 2017 Submodel Types: Hatchback, Sedan
Available Trims: Two, Three, Four, Base, Four Touring, III, IV, Touring, II, Three Touring, Five, I, Standard, Persona Series Special Edition, V, Two Eco, One
Exterior Colors: Classic Silver Metallic, Blizzard Pearl, Winter Gray Metallic, Barcelona Red Metallic, Black, Sea Glass Pearl, Nautical Blue Metallic, Magnetic Gray Metallic, Hypersonic Red, Midnight Black Metallic, Seaside Pearl, Super White, Blue Crush Metallic, Blue Ribbon Metallic, Millenium Silver Metallic, Sandy Beach Metallic, Spectra Blue Mica, Salsa Red Pearl, Silver Pine Mica, Millenium Silver, Driftwood Pearl, Magnetic Gray, Absolutely Red, Black Cherry Pearl, Brilliant Blue Pearl, Electric Green, Silver Strata Metallic, Tideland Pearl
Interior Colors: Dark Gray cloth, Misty Gray cloth, Bisque cloth, Black leatherette, Moonstone leatherette, Dark Gray leatherette, Moonstone cloth, Black cloth, Gray/Burgundy, Harvest Beige leatherette, Bisque leatherette, Misty Gray leatherette, Gray cloth, Ivory/Brown, Beige cloth, Harvest Beige cloth, Bisque leather, Black Softex leatherette, Charcoal leatherette, Dark Gray leather, Misty Gray leather
Popular Features: Auto Climate Control, Rear Bench Seats, Trip Computer, Audio and cruise controls on steering wheel, Fold Flat Rear Seats, Tire Pressure Warning, Stability Control, Aux Audio Inputs, Bluetooth, USB Inputs, Back-up camera, Navigation, Keyless Entry/Start, Upgraded Headlights, Heated seats, Adaptive Cruise Control, Lane Departure Warning, Pre-collision safety system, Power Driver Seat, Blind Spot Monitoring, Parking sensors, Alarm, Upgraded Stereo, Post-collision safety system, Sunroof/Moonroof, Heads up display, Leather Seats, Automatic Emergency Braking
Engine/Mechanics: 4 cylinders
Transmission: AUTOMATIC
Fuel Types: regular unleaded
Drivetrains: front wheel drive
Edmunds attended a manufacturer-sponsored event, to which selected members of the press were invited, to facilitate this report.
