2016 vs 2017 Toyota Prius

vs

Both years are the same generation, so most of what they offer is shared.

Watch out for

Reputation: what owners and the press report. Tap one to see what to check.

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

  • Cracked windshield All years

    What to 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

    What to 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

Rare catches

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

  • Rare Titanium Glow Color

    Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)

  • Rare Blue Magnetism Color

    Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)

Recalls

2016

  • 16V672000 2016

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

  • 17V658000 2016

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

  • 18V085000 2016

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

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

  • 16V741000 2016–2017

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

  • 18V579000 2016–2018

    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

What changed between

After 2016, up to and including 2017.

  1. 2017The Prius Prime plug-in was added. Toyota, a published reference

What it came with

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

Engines
1.8L plug-in hybrid (2017–2022) Toyota, a published reference
Trims
Prime Plus (2017–2019) A published reference, Prime Premium (2017–2019) A published reference, Prime Advanced (2017–2019) A published reference

Both years

Engines
1.8L hybrid A published reference
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

Colors

2016

Nothing that 2017 lacks.

2017

  • Titanium Glow 4X1, 2017–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare
  • Blue Magnetism 791, 2017–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare

Both years

  • Super White 040, 2016–2022 Toyota, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blizzard Pearl 070, 2016–2020 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Classic Silver Metallic 1F7, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Magnetic Gray Metallic 1G3, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Midnight Black Metallic 218, 2016–2022 Toyota, Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Hypersonic Red 3T7, 2016–2019 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Sea Glass Pearl 781, 2016–2022 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Blue Crush Metallic 8W7, 2016–2018 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2016

  • 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)

2017

Nothing that 2016 lacks.

Both years

  • 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