2026 Toyota Prius Plug-In

The Prius name, once synonymous with fuel-extending gas-electric hybrid technology, has expanded into a growing number of electrified opportunities for parent company Toyota during a quarter century on the road. 

The original Prius liftback debuted at the turn of the millennia here in the States creating a new driving category. The original gas-electric hybrid (HEV) delivered excellent fuel economy thanks to an on-board direct-current battery working with a traditional internal combustion engine. The self-charging Prius never needed assistance from wall-socket voltage.  

Toyota later introduced a Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) companion in the 2012 model year. This Prius version added a twist by introducing a greater all-electric range than the standard Prius with the aid of a nightly volt boost compliments of a wall socket. Back then total range registered a rather limited 11 miles. Compare that to the 2026 Prius Plug-in that now delivers an all-EV range surpassing 39 miles; an impressive range few mainstream PHEV competitors reach. A select few luxury automakers exceed 40 miles of electric range within a few PHEV offerings, but with substantially higher bottom lines.  

The 2012 version sold in select states with the 2013 effort a nationwide offering. Both powered in part by a paltry by comparison 4.4-kilowatt hour direct current lithium-ion battery pack. In 2026, the battery pack grows to 13.6 kilowatt hours weighing in at 284 pounds and helping to achieve the 40 miles plus of pure EV travel. By contrast some compact-sized all-EV vehicle utilizes a 74.7-kilowatt hour battery pack 

Once the all-electric miles expire, the onboard gasoline engine takes over delivering Scrooge-like fuel economy figures compliments of the onboard gas-electric hybrid technology of 53 miles per gallon city for an impressive total range surpassing 600 miles when factoring together gasoline and electric contributions. From 2016 to 2024, Toyota marketed the PHEV version as Prius Prime in North America but made the switch back to the better-defined Prius Plug-in in 2025 assisting with marketing clarity.  

Technology gracing the Prius Plug-in and similar PHEVs continue garnering second looks from consumers seeking to join the electrified community at their own comfortable pace. Forty miles of EV range provides a workable ceiling for short EV drives around town while eliminating 'Range Anxiety,' a term coined within the EV community where running low on electricity with no apparent place to recharge causes concerns. The 500 miles plus of gasoline backup calms the dynamic. Prius Plug-in checks all the techy boxes while adding a stylish exterior flair that's not a bore to drive.  

A 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated, 150-horsepower internal combustion engine works in tandem with a permanent magnet AC synchronous electric/traction motor powered by the DC battery pack. An electronically controlled continuously variable transmission substitutes for a traditional seven or eight-speed automatic transmission. Front-wheel drive arrives standard in the plug-in PHEV; a notable difference from the traditional Prius HEV that offers both front and all-wheel drive.  

Four five-seat Prius Plug-in trim levels include SE, XSE, XSE Premium and new-for 2026 Nightshade appearance package built upon the XSE grade. The Nightshade treatment appears within other products boasting a Toyota badge with noir accents including 19-inch black finished alloy wheels with black badging and sills.  

Our Nightshade PHEV included blacked out window trim, black front air dam, black composite framing surrounding circular wheel wells, black Toyota logo up front and black accents framing the lower liftback door's taillights and red vertical lightbar traveling from side to side. The roof also includes a black hue. Both front side doors include black strap-like openers with the rear doors hiding the openers high withing the corner of the window frame and exchanging the strap for a black pull tab. 

Nightshade's dark highlights create a two-tone exterior when teamed with available Karashi yellow or Wind Chill Pearl. A third Nightshade option, Midnight Black Metallic, offers up an ultra-black ambiance. These Nightshade colors join four other exterior colors available throughout the Prius Plug-in lineup.  

Pricing starts at $33,775 for the SE trim which registers about $5,000 more than the starting price of a conventional Prius. The SE includes the highest all-electric range of the foursome at 44 miles. The remaining trio boast 39 miles of EV range according to Toyota stat sheets. Both numbers represent strong all-EV ranges when stacked against the growing number of PHEV competitors before the gas-electric hybrid technology takes over.  

Our Nightshade tester with Karashi yellow exterior checked in at $37,795. Factory extras included a $1,000 fixed glass roof and larger center screen 12.3-inch multi-function screen replacing the standard eight-inch variety. These two items represent just about all factory options available in Nightshade and XSE trims. With a $1,195 destination charge and a few dealer addons, the bottom line reached $41,304.  

The top-level XSE Premium trim includes as options: heated rear seats, a solar-charging roof and digital rearview mirror. The solar charging roof adds up to six miles of potential electric miles per day if parked continuously in direct sunlight. A power liftback comes standard solely in the XSE Premium edition. All the rest get by with an old-school manual variety. None arrive with snow-clearing wipers.  

Two side-by-side beverage holders situate in front of the center console between front buckets, both of which situate lower to the ground than conventional five-door crossovers. An electronic transmission shifter in the console's middle features a stubby joystick/knob moving vertically from reverse to neutral to drive. A stand-alone 'P' button needs separate activation via a push to summon park. Also available, a B mode/selection (think braking) acting as a lower gear that increases the friction force behind the regenerative braking process.  

The Prius Plug-in, traditional Prius HEV and all EVs benefit from highly effective Regenerative Braking. This energy recouping slight-of-hand captures friction created during the mechanical braking process and delivers the newly created kinetic energy back into the DC battery pack for later reuse as electricity. It's a passive design requiring little to no interaction from pilots.  

However, drivers do have the option to increase the friction force level via the 'b' option within the transmission shifter. A graphic within the instrument cluster details the selected settings. Regenerative braking adds to the all-electric reserve of usable miles when used aggressively. Upon the vehicle's shut down via the power start/stop dashboard button, the system automatically defaults back to D or drive.  

Four drive modes (custom, sport, normal and eco) select via an electronic toggle tab just aft of the electronic continuous variable transmission shifter tweaking throttle response and steering sensitivity.  

The seven-inch all-digital instrument panel incorporates a flat-screen design rather than an in-dash version and situates deep within the dashboard recess. Maneuvering between panels and options takes place via a left-side steering wheel buttons. For those desiring to learn about the constant energy flow of electricity and when the gas-engine takes over, animated graphics call up within the center dash screen and the digital instrument panel. 

The 12.3-inch center screen inside our tester included a vertical menu towards the far left with a half-dozen selections and provides a quick study even for sixty-something luddites including myself. Included is a navigation option for those not wishing to download the information from a Smartphone.  

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto Smartphone interaction comes standard allowing Smartphone apps to play through the center screen.  

To the right of the transmission devise, a narrow sleeve for cradling a Smartphone resting on its side that doubles as a Qi wireless charger in all trims sans the base SE. A pair of USB-C ports reside ahead of the beverage holders near a small storage area. Two more ports locate within the center/arm rest/storage bin and two more are accessible from row-two occupants.  

Below the screen, a pair of small manually adjustable rectangular air vents with the red hazard button in between. The same style vents flank the ends of the dashboard. Below the center vents resides bank of horizontally arranged back push buttons with icons monitoring HVAC functions. Fan speed, direction and temperature all monitor from push buttons. Heated front seats also operate from this area. The dashboard electronic circular push button is found between the manually adjusting tilt-and-telescope steering column and side-by-side air vents.  

Nightshade remains the sole trim offering carbon-fiber detail on the dashboard. All trims include a second row with seatbacks folding down with a 60/40 split gaining stretched access to the liftback region. The direct current lithium-ion battery pack stows under second row seats.  

During the Prius debut 25 years ago, Toyota drove towards a new-wave, futuristic exterior design with multiple inside screens displaying energy discharge information ushering a new electrification era. Today's Prius Plug-in incorporates a couple-like representation with a low roofline, aerodynamic profile and front A-pillars sweeping at a near 45-degree angle.  

The inlet port accepting a power boost from an outside A/C power source locates on the passenger side rear fender while the traditional gas lead is found on the opposite side's rear driver's side fender. Regular, 87-octane fuel fills the 10.6-gallon tank.  

Charging time with a Level Two 240-volt outlet takes approximately four hours while a Level One 120-volt outlet requires approximately 11 hours to reach a full state of charge thanks in part to a 3.5kw onboard charger (OBC). Onboard chargers act as a gatekeeper of sorts allowing a maximum rate of charge.  

Prius Plug-In arrives with a dual-voltage 20-foot cable working with both 240-volt and 120-volt outlets thanks in part to a two-pigtail design. Most garages come pre-equipped with 120-volt outlets creating a now-ready means of overnight charging. For garages without a 240-volt outlet, Level Two wall units (also known as Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment) offer a quicker charge than Level One although installation costs must get factored into the equation.  

Level Two EVSE Wall unit instillation generally runs between $700 and $1,800 depending upon a home's electrical design. Many entities offer rebate programs when purchasing/installing Level Two wall units. In the Chicagoland area, Com Ed offers a 'Residential EV Charger and Installation Rebate Program' for those meeting certain requirements.  

All PHEVs and EV's utilize the onboard charger (OBC), not only as gatekeepers helping to prevent overcharging, but help convert alternating current prevalent in homes to direct current utilizing diodes and transistors for storage in the DC battery pack. Prius PHEV's 3.5-kilowatt OBC is restrictive compared with all-electric vehicles with larger DC battery packs that rate closer to 11.0 kw.  

The Prius plug-in and virtually all PHEVs don't accept DC fast charging from publicly available franchises including EVGo, Electrify American and Charge Point. The on-board DC battery's size measures far smaller than larger lithium-ion DC battery packs found in pure EVs. The rear fender's inlet port design will not accept a DC fast charging pistol-grip design from the aforementioned franchises or a Telsa Supercharger (also a dispenser of direct current).  

For the fifth year in a row, Toyota Motor Corporation ranked as the world's most profitable automotive company based upon global sales. Electrified HEVs, PHEVs and EVs accounted for an impressive 41 percent of sales.  

2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Nightshade 

Price as tested: $41,304 

Combined horsepower: 220 

Engine: 2.0-liter, four cylinder  

Electric Motor: 120 kw/161 horsepower 

Battery Pack: 13.6-kilowatt lithium-Ion  

EV Range: 39 miles 

Total range: 600 miles 

Torque: 139 lb.-ft. 

Wheelbase: 108.3 inches 

Overall Length: 181.1inches 

Overall Width: 70.2 inches 

Overall Height: 56.3 inches 

Curb weight: 3,516 pounds 

Fuel Economy: 53 mpg city/51 mpg highway  

Hybrid Battery Warranty: 10 years/150,000 miles 

Assembly: Japan