Toyota Prius for 2018

The 2018 Toyota Prius has come a long way from when it was in a class by itself. No longer considered unusual, it is still considered the best of the best when it comes to value, fuel economy, and packaging. U.S. News and World Report named it the Best Hybrid for the Money. The reviewer calls the Prius “the best of the bunch” among hybrids. They point out its reliability, its affordability, and its incredible fuel economy. Kelley Blue Book awarded the Prius with its Best Resale Value Award. The reviewer also deems the Prius inexpensive to own. This is due to fuel economy and other factors, such as two years of free maintenance with Toyota Care. The Prius now earns 54 mpg city and 50 mpg highway. The U.S. Department of Energy fuel calculator estimates that this hybrid can save you $3,500 over five years. That’s like a rebate on your purchase price.

If you step over to the Prius Eco, the savings mount up even higher. It earns 58 mpg city and 53 mpg highway. Toyota is the only manufacturer putting an entire suite of safety systems on its base editions. This means that 2018 Toyota Prius buyers have an advantage. New owners will drive away in a car with collision warning and collision autobrake features. Also on board, you’ll find adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning, a lane assist, and automatic high beams. A blind spot monitor and rear cross-traffic monitor are also offered.

The Prius family provides diverse options for different shoppers. If you want a smaller, sporty car, the Prius c is a good choice. For a larger car, the Prius v makes sense. The Prius Prime, a chargeable hybrid, is also on tap. Each of these models earned the Best Resale Value Award from Kelley Blue Book.

Toyota Prius vs. Ford C-Max Hybrid

The C-Max Hybrid is longer with a more station wagon design. The two rivals share comparable cargo space. The Prius claims these advantages:

• Better city fuel economy (54 mpg vs. 42 mpg)
• Better highway fuel economy (50 mpg vs 38 mpg)
• Lower curb weight (600-pound difference)
• Turning radius (34 vs 38)
• Lower projected 5-year cost to own
• SofTex stain-resistant leather-like fabric
• Forward collision warning (FCW) with autobrake
• Pedestrian Watch with autobrake
• Lane Departure Watch (LDW) with Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams

Toyota Prius vs. Ford Fusion Hybrid

If you want a larger hybrid than the Prius, you may want to look at the Camry Hybrid. The Ford Fusion Hybrid simply can’t keep up. It can’t match the Prius fuel economy and it has a very small cargo area. It costs more, too. Prius advantages include:

• Bigger cargo area (24.6 cu.ft. vs. 12 cu.ft.)
• Fuel economy (54 vs 43 mpg city/50 vs 41 mpg highway)
• Curb weight (600-pound difference)
• Better turning radius (34 vs. 37)
• Lower MSRP
• Lower projected cost to own
• SofTex
• FCW with autobrake
• Pedestrian Watch with autobrake
• LDW with Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams

Toyota Prius vs Volkswagen E-Golf

The Volkswagen e-Golf model has comparable passenger volume to the Prius. The horsepower is comparable, too, but the e-Golf does offer a higher torque rate. Advantages are:

• Lower MSRP
• Sharper Turn Radius (34 vs. 35.8)
• More Cargo Volume (24.5 vs. 22 cu.ft.)
• FCW, Pedestrian Watch, autobrake
• Leather-clad steering wheel
• LDW, Assist
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Automatic High Beams

Toyota Prius vs. Nissan Leaf

The Leaf has been around almost as long as the Prius. It offers a slightly smaller cabin and a slightly smaller cargo hold. While the Leaf has extended its driving range, it still lacks the gas-powered flexibility enjoyed by the Toyota Prius or Toyota Prius Prime. As with other rivals, it lacks the crash avoidance equipment you’ll find on the Prius. Other advantages include:

• Heated side mirrors
• Lower MSRP
• High reliability scores