2016 Toyota Prius XW50

Overview

Engines

1.8L hybrid

On record

2 warnings, 5 recalls

What changed for 2016

• Launched on Toyota's new platform, with a lithium-ion battery under the rear seat. Toyota, a published reference

Compare 2016 with 2015

Colors

• Blue Crush Metallic8W7, 2016–2018
• Hypersonic Red3T7, 2016–2019
• Blizzard Pearl070, 2016–2020
• Super White040, 2016–2022
• Classic Silver Metallic1F7, 2016–2022

Sources: Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

Interiors in the generation, years not known: Black (Cloth) Edmunds, Harvest Beige (Cloth) Edmunds, Moonstone (Cloth) Edmunds

Specs

Engines

• 1.8L hybrid 2ZR-FXE A published reference

  With a 0.75 kWh lithium-ion battery, or a 1.2 kWh nickel-metal hydride battery on AWD-e cars

Transmissions

• Planetary power-split (eCVT) A published reference

Drivetrains

• Front-wheel drive A published reference

Trims

• One (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference
• Two (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference
• Three (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference
• Four (2016–2018) Edmunds, a published reference

Also in the generation, years not known: Two Eco Edmunds, a published reference, Three Touring Edmunds, Four Touring Edmunds

Figures for the whole 4th gen

• Economy: EPA 54 mpg city, 50 highway and 52 combined; 58, 53 and 56 for the Eco A published reference
• Drag coefficient: 0.24 A published reference
• Motors: 31 hp and 71 hp at the front, and 6.7 hp at the rear on AWD-e A published reference

Watch out

Faults owners and the press report, and how to spot each one.

• Cracked windshield All years

  Check: Look over the windshield for cracks, and ask whether it has been replaced and with what glass.

  On CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, 25 owners of the 2016 report a cracked windshield at about 18,350 miles on average, most after a small stone, some with no impact they knew of, and some cracking again after replacement. Jalopnik also names windshield cracks. Jalopnik, owners' reports (unofficial)

• Wiring harness near the hybrid controller 2016–2018

  Check: Ask whether recall 18V579000 was done.

  Part of the engine wiring harness at the hybrid power control unit can rub through on its cover and short, raising the risk of fire. NHTSA

Recalls

Newest first. Ask the seller for proof the work was done, or check the VIN with NHTSA.

• 2016–2018 Recall 18V579000

  Part of the engine wiring harness at the hybrid power control unit can rub through on its cover and short, raising the risk of fire. NHTSA

• 2016 Recall 18V085000

  Airbag pressure or acceleration sensors may fail, so the side, curtain or front airbags may not deploy in a crash. NHTSA

• 2016 Recall 17V658000

  A capacitor may not have been bolted properly to the inverter housing. Vibration can damage it and shut down the hybrid system. NHTSA

• 2016–2017 Recall 16V741000

  The foot parking brake cable may come loose, so a car left out of Park can roll away. NHTSA

• 2016 Recall 16V672000

  A manufacturing error in the inflator may partly inflate the front passenger airbag without a crash. NHTSA

Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.

Owning

What owners and buyers say

• Sought after

  The most reliable Prius All years

  One source so far

  Jalopnik ranks the 4th gen first of five for reliability, noting that Consumer Reports rated two of its seven model years excellent and the other five well above average. Jalopnik

• Avoid

  2016

  Less sought after

  SlashGear says to avoid the 2016 for windshields that crack. CarComplaints.com, an unofficial source, counts 47 complaints for the 2016, the most of the 4th gen. SlashGear, owners' reports (unofficial)

Maintenance

No service schedule is added yet.

Warranty when new