Remember when driving a Toyota Prius was synonymous with being labeled as uncool? Those days are long gone. The 2024 Toyota Prius marks a significant turning point for the iconic hybrid, transforming it into not just an eco-conscious choice, but a genuinely stylish and powerful vehicle. Having spent a week behind the wheel of this fifth-generation Prius, I finally understand the unwavering loyalty of its fanbase and Toyota’s strategic focus on hybrid technology. In a market increasingly pushing for full electrification, the Prius makes a compelling case for the enduring relevance of hybrids, especially when they are this exceptionally executed.
(Full Disclosure: Toyota provided me with a 2024 Prius for a week-long test drive. During this time, I drove it over 400 miles to Las Vegas and back for SEMA, navigating through dust storms and enjoying more than a few meals inside its cabin. Rest assured, the car was returned in pristine condition.)
The transformation of the Prius began with the 2023 model year, featuring a redesign that can only be described as shocking. At its debut in Los Angeles in 2022, the unveiling of the fifth-generation Prius was met with audible gasps – a testament to its radical departure from previous generations. Built on Toyota’s TNGA-C platform, shared with models like the Corolla and Lexus UX, the 2024 Prius boasts a lower, longer, and wider stance, enhancing both its aesthetics and driving dynamics. It sits two inches lower, is an inch longer, and an inch wider than its predecessor, contributing to its sleek and modern profile.
The attention to detail in the 2024 Prius’s exterior design is immediately apparent in its front fascia. The thin LED headlights, with their upper edges extending into the front fenders, are intersected by a subtle, blade-like lip, presumably for aerodynamic efficiency. The uniquely designed lower bumper, incorporating integrated lights and a lower front grille, completes the striking front aesthetic. This thoughtful design language elevates the Prius beyond its utilitarian roots, giving it a newfound visual appeal.
While the front is impressive, the rear of the 2024 Toyota Prius is arguably its most captivating angle. A red LED light bar stretches across the entire width of the trunk, underlined by small, discreet backup lights. Regardless of the chosen paint color, the majority of the rear window is blacked out, a design choice that polarizes opinions but undeniably contributes to its modern and sporty look. The lower bumper mirrors the front with more black trim and small reflector lamps, tying the design together seamlessly.
Looking at the 2024 Prius from the side profile truly emphasizes its coupe-like silhouette. The dramatically raked windshield, set at a supercar-esque 21.6 degrees, is one of the most extreme design elements. To put this into perspective, it’s only half a degree off the windshield angle of the Lexus LFA, as reported by Green Car Reports. This aggressive windshield angle contributes significantly to the Prius’s sleek and aerodynamic shape, moving it far away from the boxier designs of previous models.
The best part about this design revolution is that it doesn’t come at a premium price. The 2024 Toyota Prius is available in three trim levels: LE, XLE, and Limited, each offering the option of all-wheel drive. My test vehicle was a front-wheel-drive Prius XLE, which starts at $32,190, including a $1,095 destination charge. Adding options like the vibrant Supersonic Red paint ($425), the upgraded 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen ($735), and the panoramic fixed glass roof ($1,000), the total price still remained a reasonable $35,532. This pricing makes the stylish and well-equipped 2024 Prius accessible to a wide range of buyers.
Beyond its stunning new looks, the 2024 Prius also delivers a shock in the powertrain department. While previous Prius models were not known for their speed, the 2024 edition finally addresses this with a significant power boost. Toyota has equipped the new Prius with a 2.0-liter inline-4 engine paired with a new lithium-ion battery pack. This combination results in a combined output of 194 horsepower, with an additional two horsepower for all-wheel-drive models. This represents a substantial leap from the previous generation’s 121 horsepower, making the 2024 Prius noticeably more responsive and engaging to drive.
This power increase translates to the quickest Prius ever produced. The 2024 Prius can now accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 7 seconds (or 7.2 seconds for AWD models). Independent testing has shown the previous generation Prius taking a leisurely 10.8 seconds to reach the same speed. This performance improvement makes merging onto highways and navigating traffic a much more confident and even enjoyable experience. The 2024 Prius is no longer just about fuel efficiency; it’s now about providing a surprisingly fun driving experience.
Stepping inside the 2024 Prius reveals a cabin that is a pleasant place to be. Toyota has completely redesigned the interior, discarding the previous model’s vertically oriented touchscreen, center gauge cluster, and awkwardly placed gear shifter. The 2024 Prius now features a horizontally oriented 12.3-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch unit is standard), a digital gauge cluster positioned directly in front of the driver, a more conventional gear shifter in the center console, and thankfully, physical controls for climate and seat heating. This user-friendly layout significantly improves the driving experience and makes the interior feel more premium and driver-focused.
One standout feature of the interior is the ingenious wireless phone charger. Located conveniently next to the gear shifter, this charger is designed as a slot where your phone simply drops in and snaps securely into place. Unlike many finicky wireless chargers, this one is reliable and user-friendly. It even includes a physical power button with a green indicator light at the front of the slot, allowing you to easily turn the charger on or off. When not in use, the slot serves as a handy phone storage space.
Starting the 2024 Prius is a near-silent affair. Pressing the starter button on the dash results in a quiet readiness, as the car defaults to EV mode. The gasoline engine only engages on startup if immediate heating or air conditioning is needed. Toyota’s decades of experience in hybrid technology are evident in the seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The switch is virtually imperceptible, with no jarring thumps or clunks, only a subtle engine start-up sound when needed. The added power from the hybrid system provides a noticeable boost when accelerating for passing or quick starts from traffic lights.
The handling of the 2024 Prius was another pleasant surprise. It feels surprisingly nimble and planted on the road. With sportier tires and a modest horsepower increase, it could easily rival some hot hatches in terms of driving fun. For those seeking even more performance, Toyota offers the 220-hp Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, which delivers on that sporty potential. Even in the standard hybrid model, the handling is a significant improvement over previous generations, making it more engaging to drive on winding roads.
Fuel economy remains a core strength of the Prius, and the 2024 model excels in this area. On a drive from Southern California to Las Vegas, I averaged slightly better than Toyota’s EPA estimates, achieving 54 mpg overall. Even with some spirited driving after a food stop, I still managed an impressive 41 mpg. These figures underscore the Prius’s continued dominance in fuel efficiency, making it an incredibly economical choice for daily commuting and long road trips.
Despite its numerous improvements, the 2024 Prius is not without its drawbacks. The sleek new design, particularly the fast roofline, compromises interior headroom and rear visibility. Headroom is reduced by just over an inch in both the front and rear compared to the previous model, and the optional glass roof further diminishes headroom. Rear visibility is also limited due to the C-pillars and rear window design, resulting in a narrow view out the back. A live feed rear camera, available only on the top-of-the-line Prius Limited, would be a welcome addition across all trims.
The steering wheel design, shared with the bZ4X, is another point of contention. Its oddly shaped hub and small diameter feel somewhat awkward, especially for drivers with larger hands. While the speedometer is now correctly positioned in front of the driver, it is still placed rather far away, near the windshield, which may take some getting used to.
The electronic gear shifter, while now in a more conventional location, might also require a learning curve. Like previous Prius models, it’s not a traditional PRNDL setup. Park is a separate button, Reverse is left and up, Neutral is left and held for a few seconds, and Drive is left and down. The ‘B’ position for increased engine braking is simply straight back.
Finally, the four-cylinder engine is not the most refined. Under hard acceleration or in Sport mode, it becomes coarse and noisy, and the CVT transmission amplifies the engine drone. The dedicated EV mode button feels somewhat redundant, as the Prius already defaults to EV mode at low speeds and under various cruising conditions. The EV mode deactivates above 25 mph or with heavier throttle input. Lastly, my test car exhibited a surprising amount of static electricity in the B-pillar, an unusual quirk that might be specific to this particular vehicle.
Despite these minor flaws, the 2024 Toyota Prius is undoubtedly the best Prius to date. It has successfully shed its uncool image, emerging as a stylish, powerful, and still incredibly fuel-efficient hybrid. Owning or driving a Prius is no longer something to be embarrassed about; in fact, it’s something to be proud of. With nearly 30,000 units sold already this year, it’s clear that thousands of buyers agree – the 2024 Toyota Prius is a winner.
