There are a multitude of reasons why you’d need an all-wheel drive car. All-wheel drive vehicles offer superior traction, especially in slippery conditions like snow, mud, or rain. All-wheel drive systems adapt to changing road conditions by distributing power to all four wheels, improving overall vehicle stability and handling.
All-wheel drive systems don’t usually evenly distribute power between the front and rear. Depending on the model, the bias is typically set to the front or rear. The enhanced grip and control not only makes driving safer, but also enhances performance, making all-wheel drive cars a popular choice for both everyday drivers and car enthusiasts.
There are plenty of all-wheel drive cars currently available on the U.S. market, covering performance, luxury, and affordable segments. However, only one sits at the top as the most efficient example. It’s a hybrid five-door liftback sedan that has developed a strong reputation for fuel efficiency and reliability since its lineage began three decades ago and comes from the house of Toyota. The fifth-generation Toyota Prius is available with an all-wheel drive system for the first time ever, thanks to a more advanced electric drive system consisting of two independent motors.
In order to give you the most up-to-date and accurate information possible, the data used to compile this article was sourced from Toyota’s websites and other authoritative sources, including Car and Driver, the EPA, the NHTSA, and the IIHS.
2024 Toyota Prius: A Comprehensive Guide On Features, Specs, And Pricing
If you are in the market for a Toyota Prius, this guide will give you a better understanding of the hybrid car and help you decide.
The Toyota Prius AWD Delivers 54 MPG
The fifth-generation Toyota Prius replaces the older 1.8-liter unit with the larger Dynamic Force M20A-FXS naturally aspirated 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle gasoline engine. Toyota introduced this particular engine in the 2018 Corolla Hybrid, but its first variation dates back to the 2017 XV70-generation Camry. The engine produces 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque without assistance from the electric motors.
Power increases to 196 horsepower when dual permanent magnet motors kick in. A direct-drive eCVT is your only transmission choice, which Toyota claims will help get the car from 0-60 MPH in 7.0 seconds, with an electronically limited to top speed of 112 MPH. Several road tests reveal that the manufacturer’s claimed acceleration times are accurate and well-received, considering how much slower the last-generation model was.
Performance Specifications
| Powertrain | 2.0-liter four-cylinder and dual permanent magnet motor |
| Horsepower | 196 HP @ 6,000 RPM |
| Torque | 139 LB-FT @ 4,400 RPM |
| Transmission | eCVT |
| Driveline | AWD |
| Battery | 0.9 kWh Net |
| Fuel Economy | 54 MPG |
| 0-60 MPH | 7.0 Seconds |
| Top Speed | 112 MPH |
(Data sourced from Toyota)
The front permanent magnet motor generates 111 horsepower, and the rear a more modest 40 horsepower. You can drive the all-wheel drive Prius as an EV, but only under very specific conditions and low speeds. This is common for HEVs as they generally feature much smaller battery packs. Speaking of which, the all-wheel drive Prius adopts Toyota’s compact 0.9 kWh lithium-ion pack.
The Prius’s call to fame is its exceptionally low fuel consumption returns. The most frugal of the lot is base SE trim, which the EPA estimates to consume 53/54/54 MPG on a city/highway/ combined cycle. XLE and Premium all-wheel-drive models only have moderately worse returns, with a 49/59/49 MPG estimate. This difference is due to the more premium trims’ larger standard set of wheels.
The Prius’s all-wheel-drive system doesn’t feature a Haldex system connecting the engine to the rear differential. An independent secondary motor powers the rear axle and only functions when the system detects a loss of traction. Under usual driving instances, it acts as a front-wheel drive model.
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The All-Wheel Drive Toyota Prius Starts At $29,050
The Toyota Prius range starts at $27,950 for the front-wheel drive variant, but the all-wheel drive system requires you to spend an additional $1,400. The all-wheel drive XLE costs $32,795, while the flagship limited trim costs $36,365. This is a more expensive option compared to the Corolla Sedan Hybrid, which you can also have with the same all-wheel drive system, but the older 1.8-liter engine. The Prius is a competitively priced option, but there are some features you’ll need to pay extra for.
|
Trim Level |
Price |
|---|---|
|
LE |
$29,350 |
|
XLE |
$32,795 |
|
Limited |
$36,365 |
(Pricing sourced from Toyota)
The LE is a bare-bones car experience, but Toyota fits the XLE and Limited with more advanced features and premium trimmings. Supersonic Red and Wind Chill Pearl paints are both $425 options across all trims. There are also several packages that include weather resistant mats and exterior body protectors, ranging between $299 and $494. Toyota also offers a host of interior accessories, ranging from all-weather floor liners, Kurgo pet equipment, Dometic coolers and portable chargers, and Yakima storage facilities.
The Toyota Prius Has A 10-Year Battery Warranty
Included as standard across all Toyota Prius derivatives is the brand’s comprehensive warranty package. This includes a 36-month or 36,000-mile basic warranty, 60-month or 60,000-mile powertrain warranty, and 60-month coverage for corrosion with unlimited miles. All electric hybrid components get a 96-month- or 100,000-mile coverage, but the battery benefits from a class-leading 120-month or 150,000-mile coverage. Toyota offers a comprehensive basic warranty extension package of up to 10 years or 125,000 miles.
Toyota Prius Warranty Details
| Type | Length |
|---|---|
| Full Warranty | 36 Months/36,000 Miles |
| Powertrain Warranty | 60 Months/60,000 Miles |
| Maintenance Warranty | 24 Months/25,000 Miles |
| Roadside Warranty | 24 Months/25,000 Miles |
| Corrosion Warranty | 60 Months/Unlimited Miles |
| Federal Emissions Performance | 24 Months/24,000 Miles |
| Federal Emissions Defect | 36 Months/36,000 Miles |
| Seat Belt And Airbags | 60 Months/60,000 Miles |
(Data sourced from Toyota)
All Prius models also come standard with the ToyotaCare package, which includes two complementary services within a 24-month or 25,000-mile period and 24-hour roadside assistance over a two-year period with an unlimited mileage cap. Toyota’s hybrid models generally enjoy a good reliability reputation, and the Prius range is no exception. The NHTSA currently lists no recalls for the 2024 model.
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The Toyota Prius Comes Standard With Safety Sense 3.0
One of the best advantages of buying a new Prius is the company’s standard Toyota Sense 3.0 safety suite, which includes some of the most advanced safety features in its segment. Its latest configuration includes a front pre-collision detection and intervention system, radar-based adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning and assist, lane tracing assist, road sign detection, automatic high-beam assist, and proactive driving assist. You also get the brand’s blind spot monitor system with rear cross-traffic alert, and a vehicle proximity notification system at no extra cost.
- Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection,
- Full-speed range dynamic adaptive cruise control.
- Lane departure alert with steering assist.
- Lane tracing assist.
- Automatic high beams.
- Blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.
There are some safety features that you have to pay extra for. These include the front and rear parking assist with automatic braking for the base LE only. This is standard on the XLE and Limited. Only the Limited trim gets access to the Panoramic 360-degree view monitor and Advanced Park system via the $1,085 Limited Premium package. These comprehensive safety features afford the Prius range the IIHS’s prestigious Top Safety Pick+ award.
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The New Toyota Prius Is Packed With Tech
You get the brand’s compact 7.0-inch LCD digital instrument cluster across all Prius derivatives. The LE trim features the basic 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, but it does have access to wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a six-speaker audio system. The larger 12.3-inch screen is optionally available on the XLE, but it comes standard in the Limited, with the benefit of a more premium eight-speaker JBL audio system.
Toyota fits all derivatives with six USB-C charging ports across the front and rear sections as standard. XLE and Limited trims feature the Qi-compatible wireless smartphone charger and the hands-free Smart Key System for ease-of-access. The Limited ships standard with the smartphone-powered digital key, but this is optionally available on the XLE. The $200 digital rearview mirror is only available on the Limited as an optional extra.
Toyota Sold 13,327 Prius Copies In Q1 2024
The current-generation Toyota Prius is not the brand’s most popular model, as it is a fairly niche product with limited usability. However, it is still performing fairly well in the market, having sold 13,327 examples in the first quarter of 2024. Excluding the Prime models, the Prius range sold 9,420 copies during this period. For reference, Toyota sold 57,875 RAV4 Hybrids and 15,589 Corolla Hybrids during this time. The Prius did fare better than the cheaper Corolla Cross Hybrid, which moved 7,464 units.
Hybrids remain a more attractive proposition to consumers wanting to dive into electric car ownership but are still apprehensive about issues like range anxiety, a lack of national charging infrastructure, and high starting prices. Manufacturers and governments are working to alleviate these issues, making EVs more viable options, but hybrids still tend to get more love. Within Toyota’s own catalog, its hybrid products are far superior to its inaugural bZ4X EV, which garnered poor reviews for its performance, range, and price.
