TopSpeed’s Best Small-Sized Sedan of 2024: Toyota Prius

Summary

• The Toyota Prius excels in fuel economy, technology, and exterior design, making it a game-changer in the compact car segment.
• The Prius offers an enjoyable driving experience without sacrificing fuel economy, and it even turns heads with its stunning design.
• The Prius is praised for its reliability, low cost of ownership, and exceptional safety features, making it the best small sedan of 2024.

Toyota seems to have perfected the delicate balance between efficiency, everyday usability, and reliability that consumers expect from a compact car in the new Toyota Prius. This compact sedan takes hybrid technology to the next level, continuing the strong legacy of prior Prius models while establishing new standards across the board.

Between its striking styling, impressive fuel efficiency, and innovative features, the newest Prius feels like a game-changer for the segment, and it really is – the Prius Prime even takes that to another level. History has shown us that owning a Prius often comes with sacrifices, but with the latest Prius. you won’t be sacrificing an enjoyable driving experience for the sake of fuel economy. Sure, the Prius won’t win too many races, but it is engaging to drive, and for the first time ever, it even turns a few heads from time to time. TopSpeed’s team of automotive experts have unanimously decided that, thanks to the Prius’ perfect blend of performance, fuel economy, and usability, it’s without a doubt the best small sedan for 2024.

In order to determine the best vehicle in this category for 2024, our in-house experts have voted on a number of factors, including but not limited to value for the money, performance, and expected reliability and safety. The aggregate review score you see in the display card below is indicative of the average score (rated 1-10) between these factors and is based on real-world experience. Further information regarding our methodology of rating vehicles can be found on the TopSpeed’s methodology page.

Why The Toyota Prius Is The Best Small Sedan Of 2024

Since its inception in 1997, the Prius has been known for its reliability and low cost of ownership. The 2024 model is no exception. When you factor in the Prius’s reliability, along with Toyota’s warranty coverage, the Prius is hard to beat in any segment. The Prius has historically been synonymous with reliability, and the 2024 model is no exception. When compared to its competitors, the Prius boasts lower average repair costs and maintenance frequency, underscoring its durability. When you factor in Prius’s famed reliability, along with Toyota’s warranty coverage, buying this car feels like putting your money on solid ground for the long run.

Toyota has managed to perfectly blend everything a fun-loving driver needs into a very attractive package in the new Toyota Prius. With the latest redesign, the Prius’ legacy has changed forever, moving away from being known as an econobox and becoming known as an affordable car with great all-around performance – Robert Moore, Managing Editor, TopSpeed.com

One of the main reasons to purchase a Toyota Prius is because of its exceptional fuel economy rating, and it doesn’t disappoint. Clocking in at an EPA-estimated 57 MPG across combined city and highway driving conditions, the newest Prius achieves a truly remarkable balance of fuel-sipping frugality and real-world practicality. Looking closer, you can see how Toyota has finely tuned the Prius hybrid system over time, wringing out every bit of efficiency possible. Subtle yet impactful changes to elements like the lighter, more battery-dense lithium-ion battery packs and re-tuned synergy between the electric motors and petrol engine all culminate in this celebrated 57 MPG milestone.

Toyota Prius Performance Specifications

The standard Toyota Prius has a hybrid-electric powertrain that delivers a reasonable 194 horsepower combined when you opt for FWD. If you go for the AWD model, however, you’ll see that total jumnp up to 196 horsepower (yes, two extra ponies). While the base model can manage up to 57 mpg, the Prius Prime, which is a plug-in hybrid, is rated for just 52 mpg, though, it’s a fair tradeoff as you get a total of 39-44 miles of all-electric range on a full battery – generally enough for a daily commute for most. Plus, with the electric range, the Prius Prime has a total range of around 550-600 miles on a single take of fuel while still producing 220 horsepower.

What’s really great about the fifth-generation Prius however, is it’s on-road performance. Gone are the days where you have to sacrifice an engaging and fun driving experience in the name of fuel economy. The Toyota Prius is able to hit 60 mph in a total of around seven seconds on a good day, which not only makes it the quickest Prius ever made, but also increases the fun factor quite a bit. There is a CVT transmission to deal with, which isn’t the greatest, to be honest, but at least you can have your fuel economy and fun too, right?

Safety Features and Ratings

Safety is a paramount concern in the 2024 Prius. It comes equipped with an array of advanced driver assistance systems and has achieved impressive crash test ratings. Compared with rival models, the Prius’s safety features stand out, offering drivers and passengers peace of mind. Innovative safety technologies further reinforce the vehicle’s status as a safe and reliable choice for families and individuals alike.

The Prius comes equipped with Toyota’s Safety Sense suite, a comprehensive package of driver-assistance technologies designed to enhance protection and prevent accidents. The suite bundles together adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning with steering assist to stay centered, and emergency braking that detects both vehicles and pedestrians. Additionally, the Prius boasts high crash-test ratings, reflecting its robust construction and effective safety design.

The new Toyota Prius has been rated and crash tested by the IIHS, but it has not been rated or tested by the NHTSA.

The car’s structure is engineered to absorb and dissipate impact energy in the event of a collision, protecting the occupants. Advanced airbag systems and reinforced safety frames further contribute to the overall safety of the vehicle. The 2024 Prius also introduces innovative safety technologies such as blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, enhancing driver awareness and contributing to safer driving experiences. These safety features and the vehicle’s proven crashworthiness make the Prius an ideal choice for safety-conscious drivers and families. The 2023 Toyota Prius was even awarded a Top Safety Pick Plus Award by the IIHS.

Best Features of the 2024 Toyota Prius

• Class-leading fuel efficiency – EPA-estimated 57 MPG combined city/highway for the LE trim, setting a new benchmark for small sedans.
• Enhanced performance – Up to 196 horsepower for quicker acceleration
• Futuristic styling – Striking, aerodynamic exterior design with improved ergonomics and comfort inside

There are two things that really standout about the Toyota Prius – it’s new dramatic exterior design and its new-found lean toward performance and driving engagement. Standard features include a 7.0-inch LCD digital instrument cluster, single-zone climate control with pollen filtration, six-speaker audio system, and an 8.0-inch touchscreen display with wireless CarPaly and android Auto. If you go for the range-topping Limited trim, however, you’ll get a gorgeous 12.3-inch touchscreen. The most common thing that’s been said about the new Prius is that the cabin is a bit bland, but that 12.3-inch display does up the wow factor a bit.

Overall, the interior of the Prius might not be quite as gorgeous as the exterior, or even some of the competition, but it isn’t exactly ugly, and it’s most certainly modern. It does seem as if the center stack and instrument cluster are a bit jumbled when you have the larger infotainment display, but it’s certainly not a deal breaker. Factor this overall comfortable interior, the amazing fuel economy, and the overall fun driving experience, and you really can’t go wrong with the Prius.

Runner-Ups

The 2024 Toyota Prius clinched the title for Best Small-Sized Sedan of the Year, successfully fighting off competition from Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Subaru, and Nissan. The 2024 Honda Civic was first on our list. Known for its refined exterior and decent fuel efficiency, it has been a preferred choice for many people’s first cars. So, what’s new in 2024? Honda has upgraded the Civic with a modern facelift, featuring a revamped front grille and advanced headlights. The Honda Civic upholds the brand’s reputation for reliability, though some report minor issues like a laggy infotainment system and a rough ride on uneven roads. Still, the Civic remains a strong compact sedan contender.

Moving on to the 2024 Kia Forte. Kia has been causing ripples in the automotive market, and the Forte is no exception. Its dynamic, athletic design and extensive features make the Forte an exciting choice. However, Forte’s appeal to thieves may dissuade some potential buyers, as this can lead to increased insurance premiums. The 2024 small sedan line-up also includes updated compact sedans from Hyundai, Subaru, and Nissan. With this range of options, shoppers have appealing choices for different priorities in 2024.

Running fairly close to the Toyota Prius is the 2024 Honda Civic. The Civic with a manual transmission boasts up to 40 MPG, while those equipped with a CVT manage up to 38 MPG. The manual model of Kia’s Forte is rated at 27/37 MPG, and its CVT version at 24/32 MPG. Not far behind, Hyundai’s Elantra is rated at 28/38 MPG with the manual and 25/35 with the automatic. Subaru’s all-wheel-drive Legacy matches the Elantra automatic at up to 35 MPG. Trailing the pack, Nissan’s Sentra achieves ratings of up to 32 MPG for the manual and 30 MPG for the automatic. For the commute or road tripper wanting to make the least number of gas stops, the Prius moves to the front of this challenging class.

With ample padding and soft-touch materials, the 2024 Toyota Prius sets a high bar for interior quality among other small-sized sedans. Details like contrast stitching on the seats and brushed metal accents give the Prius a unique look and feel. Cabin insulation also helps keep outside noise to a minimum for a peaceful ride. While dimensions tell part of the story. Honda has always paid attention to first-class interior detail as seen on the 2024 Civic. Similarly, Hyundai continues gaining praise for Elantra cabins mimicking luxury vehicles. Kia and Subaru approach interiors with a more ruggedized tactile profile, valuing function over pampering. Large knobs stand ready for operation with gloved hands. Nissan goes lighter on sound-dampening for the Sentra, with more hard plastic panels prioritizing value over visual flair.

Final Thoughts And Predictions For 2024

The 2024 Toyota Prius was able to hit all the marks for a compact sedan – delivering on efficiency and value, raising the bar among its peers. The combination of environmental consciousness, technological advancement, and overall value positions the Prius as an excellent choice for almost any occasion. The 2024 Prius is not just a car; it’s a statement – about the future of driving and the commitment to a more sustainable world. Despite the world’s shift toward electric cars, the Toyota Prius, and even the Toyota Prius Prime, are going to prove to be extremely enticing options in the coming years, especially for those that are afraid to take the full leap into buying an electric car.