2024 Toyota Prius Review

Toyota’s 2024 Prius is a subcompact hybrid car starting at $27,950. There aren’t any significant changes from last year’s version, which kicked off the Prius’ fifth generation and countered the notion that the model couldn’t deliver visual appeal. No longer a stylistic outcast, the 2024 Prius looks great without sacrificing its reputation for providing exceptional fuel economy.

MotoPickers Rating: 9.2/10

Tech, such as the infotainment system, contains a smooth operating feel, and despite its size, acceleration during maneuvers like highway passing is solid. Still, our review will highlight any potential drawbacks to driving this subcompact hybrid, which includes some constrained interior dimensions, visibility issues, and excess powertrain noise.

If you need to get up to speed on the Prius’ primary changes introduced last year, Toyota equipped the model with a new TNGA-C platform for a wider stance and lower driving position. Additional power made this subcompact vehicle quicker than many new hybrids via a high-output magnet inside the rear motor. This magnet produces more torque at low speeds or during higher-speed maneuvers and helps the motor work more efficiently while maintaining quality fuel economy.

The 2024 Toyota Prius’ competitors primarily include models like the Mazda3, Hyundai’s Elantra, Subaru’s Impreza, and Nissan’s Sentra. As we go through this vehicle’s highlights and lowlights, we’ll evaluate how our findings affect this Prius’ market position amongst these rivals. Learn more about the 2024 Prius below.

Exterior spotlight

Toyota’s 2024 Prius is lightyears away from previous generations’ designs, with its flowing curves complemented by sharp edges. This exterior configuration boasts aerodynamic efficiency with features such as an active shutter grille and flush door handles that only open when you need them. Alloy wheel options are 17” or 19”, and slim LED headlights help create a contemporary look alongside features like a lightbar spanning between the taillights.

The available glass roof looks great and helps the cabin achieve a more open feel. Side mirrors are power-folding and heated, while features like optional rain-sensing windshield wipers add convenience. This subcompact car’s roof-mounted shark-fin antenna doesn’t detract from its overall aesthetic.

You’ll notice that the 2024 Prius has a sleek roofline, which lowers the center of gravity for better handling. The model’s wider stance helps form a more aggressive appearance that previous generations lacked. Bold wheel arches and contoured side skirts contribute to this sleeker design.

Color options include:

• Cutting Edge (light gray)
• Guardian Gray
• Midnight Black Metallic
• Supersonic Red
• Wind Chill Pearl
• Reservoir Blue

While Toyota’s 2024 Prius is more striking than previous iterations, competitors like the Mazda3 have a sportier design. Despite the Mazda3’s sportier appearance, it lacks the 2024 Prius’ aerodynamic capabilities. Hyundai’s Elantra is another Prius rival that prioritizes aesthetics instead of balancing visual appeal with aerodynamics.

Subaru’s Impreza reflects its automaker’s values with a design that’s more outdoor-ready than the 2024 Prius. However, this rugged look comes at the expense of looks with its boxier shape. Nissan’s Sentra offers one of the more premium options for this segment with its aggressive front grille’s V-design and two-tone color configurations.

Interior analysis

Upholstery options for the 2024 Prius’ interior include available SofTex-trimmed front seats or standard fabric-trimmed front seats. The higher-grade driver seat material comes with an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat instead of a 6-way version. An optional heated steering wheel additionally contains SofTex synthetic leather trim. The cargo area provides up to 23.8 cubic feet (cu. ft.) of storage space with upward rear seats. A cargo area tonneau cover is standard, and 60/40-split-folding rear seats can come with an optional center armrest.

A single-zone climate control system with pollen filtration elevates this interior’s atmosphere, but there are some drawbacks. Heated front seats are not standard in the base grade. However, heated front seats are standard in the mid-trim and the peak variant, trims which also contain ventilated operation. Heated rear seats are available in the top Limited trim.

Backseat headroom is limited due to this Toyota’s low roof styling, which also detracts from the rear cargo area’s capacity and a driver’s rearward visibility. When the gas engine kicks in, you’ll have to deal with elevated cabin noise. The Mazda3 will offer more upscale interior materials like genuine leather upholstery, but it shares the 2024 Prius’ flaw of limited rear headroom.

It’s worth noting that other competitors, like Subaru’s Impreza, contain standard heated seats across all trims. Drivers will also find that a rear cargo area tonneau cover doesn’t always come standard, especially with non-hatchback models.

This ambient lighting setup includes a strip of LED lights across the dashboard that appears striking with a glass texture. You’ll find simulated carbon fiber trim within the cabin, but some drivers may take issue with this interior’s use of hard plastic despite their commonplace usage in other vehicles.

Power and performance

Toyota’s 2024 Prius has a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that delivers up to 196 horsepower, translating to a 7.2-second 0-60 MPH time. Its hybrid powertrain uses a lithium-ion battery, producing up to 57 combined MPG. The mileage range across all trims is 49-57 MPG in the city and 50-56 MPG on the highway.

We’ve touched on how this subcompact car’s low center of gravity contributes to better handling. More specifically, this configuration can prove beneficial during acceleration, braking, and cornering. However, this vehicle’s turning circle diameter curb-to-curb is fairly typical at 34.4 ft.

The 2024 Prius’ four drive modes include EV mode, which facilitates drives exclusively operating on battery power for local runs and other short-distance situations; power mode for sharper throttle response; eco mode for increased fuel efficiency; and normal mode, which balances power and fuel economy. Each grade contains an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT).

Optional electronic on-demand all-wheel drive (AWD) increases capability on varied terrain as dedicated electric drive motors automatically supply power to rear tires during slippage. When traction is steady, power is sent to the front wheels. The 2024 Prius’ standard drivetrain is front-wheel drive (FWD). A FWD version produces 194 horsepower instead of the AWD’s 196.

Front suspension is an independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bars, while the rear contains multi-link suspension with stabilizer bars. Power-assisted ventilated 11.1” front disc brakes make stopping power feel capable and reliable.

While Toyota’s Prius has improved in areas like highway overtaking, its 0-60 MPH time of 7.2 seconds might feel sluggish compared to hybrid options in other classes, like the Toyota RAV4 Prime SUV. A rival with combined net horsepower comparable to the 2024 Prius is Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid, with 192 horsepower.

Tech overview

Toyota’s 2024 Prius has an available 12.3” touchscreen display with voice command compatibility, while the standard display measures 8”. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard, which is a significant offering for this class. The upgraded sound system is from JBL but could use some more speakers, at eight.

A top-mount multi-information display above the steering wheel presents essential driving data like safety warnings but is slightly blocked by the steering wheel. Like most vehicles today, the 2024 Prius offers digital key functionality, which allows you to remotely control your vehicle by locking/unlocking doors, starting the engine, and more.

The center console features an optional accent that illuminates just above the gear shift area to inform you that the vehicle ahead has begun moving. Navigation, wireless smartphone charging, and the panoramic view monitor are available instead of standard. The panoramic view monitor uses four cameras on each side of the 2024 Prius to provide you with a complete 360-degree view of your surroundings.

You can enhance your environmental awareness alongside the panoramic view monitor by selecting the optional digital rearview mirror. This mirror uses a rear camera to digitally project a more comprehensive view of what’s behind your vehicle than a traditional rearview mirror. Six USB charging ports come standard.

When evaluating competitors, most 2024 Prius rivals similarly offer a standard 8” display, but some, like Kia’s 2024 Niro, contain a 10.25” optional display instead of this Toyota’s larger 12.3” available screen. Kia’s 2024 Niro also doesn’t contain standard wireless Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Regarding upgraded sound, the 2024 Mazda3 contains an available sound system with 12 speakers.

If you prioritize standard navigation, Hyundai’s 2024 Elantra Hybrid has this feature across all trims. However, you’ll be hard-pressed to find many other competitors with standard navigation within this class.

Safety capabilities

The IIHS (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) both awarded the 2024 Toyota Prius their highest crash protection scores of Top Safety Pick+ and five stars, respectively. Let’s take a closer look at the standard and available safety features helping form these ratings.

Standard safety

Each 2024 Prius comes standard with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 tech, which includes:

• Pre-collision system with pedestrian detection
• Full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control
• Lane departure alert with steering assist
• Lane tracing assist
• Road sign assist
• Automatic high beams
• Proactive driving assist

The pre-collision system with pedestrian detection provides automatic emergency braking to mitigate or help you avoid frontal collisions with other cars or pedestrians. At the same time, full-speed range dynamic radar cruise control uses automatic braking and acceleration to match traffic flow with your preset speed.

Lane tracing assist and lane departure alert with steering assist keep you centered on the road with audible and visual alerts during drifting, in addition to subtle assistive steering inputs when necessary. Road sign assist gives you a second opportunity to read information like speed limits if you don’t notice posted notices, and automatic high beams negate the need for tedious manual adjustments during nighttime drives. Many of these features receive their autonomous capabilities via the proactive driving assist feature.

Additional standard safety features include:

• Safe exit alert
• Blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
• Rearview camera
• Rear seat reminder

Safe exit alert warns of hazards like oncoming cars as passengers get out of the 2024 Prius. When the coast is clear, the rear seat reminder will ensure you don’t forget anything in the second row. Toyota enhances the blind-spot monitor’s value with rear cross-traffic alert detection during reverse maneuvers.

Trim guide

Below is a streamlined guide to the 2024 Toyota Prius’ three trims, including their starting prices and highlight-worthy features.

LE (RWD/AWD) – $27,950/$29,350

The base RWD LE Prius trim boasts the best mileage with 57 MPG in the city and 56 MPG on the highway. This grade’s display is 8”, but you’ll receive plenty of high-tech driver-assist features, such as the blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert.

XLE (RWD/AWD) – $31,395/$32,785

Mileage drops down to 52 MPG in the city and on the highway for the XLE’s RWD version and reduces further to 49/50 MPG city/highway for AWD. However, you’ll receive 19” alloy wheels and convenient features like wireless smartphone charging.

Limited (RWD/AWD) – $34,965/$36,365

Mileage is the same for the peak Limited as it is for the XLE, but you’ll gain a fixed glass roof alongside the 12.3” display and upgraded sound system.

Warranty information

Toyota offers 2024 Prius buyers a three-year or 36,000-mile basic warranty, whichever comes first, five years or 60,000 miles of powertrain coverage, and eight years or 100,000 miles of hybrid component protection. All of these warranties are competitive for the 2024 Prius’ class.

Final verdict

Toyota’s 2024 Prius is a solid buy thanks to its stellar fuel economy, increased performance, and sharper looks that are miles ahead of previous generations, especially in terms of curb appeal and aerodynamic capabilities. While there are some minor drawbacks, such as decreased rear seat headroom, which contributes to lesser cargo room, and minor rear visibility reductions, these problems don’t overshadow this Toyota’s comprehensive safety, comfortable front seats, and standard tech that doesn’t cut corners.

Regarding exterior colors, we recommend checking out Guardian Gray and Supersonic Red. The 2024 Prius earns a 9.2/10 overall score and continues to serve as a leader within its class.