Overview
- Engines
- 1.8L hybrid, 1.8L plug-in hybrid
- On record
- 2 warnings, 1 recall
What changed for 2018
No change is recorded for 2018.
Rare and special
Colors
- Titanium Glow An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare4X1, 2017–2022
- Blue Magnetism An owners' registry (unofficial) Rare791, 2017–2022
- Blue Crush Metallic8W7, 2016–2018
- Hypersonic Red3T7, 2016–2019
- Blizzard Pearl070, 2016–2020
Show all 10 colors
- Super White040, 2016–2022
- Classic Silver Metallic1F7, 2016–2022
- Magnetic Gray Metallic1G3, 2016–2022
- Midnight Black Metallic218, 2016–2022
- Sea Glass Pearl781, 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
Rare colors and interiors
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Rare
Titanium Glow Color
Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)
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Rare
Blue Magnetism Color
Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)
Specs
Badges
- Prius Prime: 1.8L plug-in hybrid, Front-wheel drive A published reference
Engines
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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
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1.8L plug-in hybrid 2ZR-FXE Toyota, a published reference
With an 8.8 kWh battery; the EPA rated 25 miles on electricity and 133 MPGe · 2017–2022
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
- Prime Plus (2017–2019) A published reference
- Prime Premium (2017–2019) A published reference
- Prime Advanced (2017–2019) 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.
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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)
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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
Going to see one? Take the checklist with you.
Open the checklistRecalls
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
Checked against NHTSA records on November 2, 2026.
Owning
What owners and buyers say
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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
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Sought after
2018 and 2021 2018–2021
One source so far
SlashGear names the 2018 and 2021 among the best used Prius years, saying CarComplaints.com had only four owners' reports for the 2018. SlashGear
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Sought after
Rated by its owners 2018
One source so far
On Edmunds, an unofficial source, the 2018's page of owners' reviews, which mixes in other 4th-gen years, shows 86 reviews averaging 4.6 of 5. Owners' reports (unofficial)
Maintenance
Engine oil and filter 2017–2022
Replace every 10,000 miles or 1 year Toyota
Only with 0W-20 oil on 2017–2018 cars and 0W-16 on 2019–2022 cars
Ask the seller: Ask for oil change records.
Cabin and engine air filters 2017–2022
Replace every 30,000 miles or 3 years Toyota
Engine coolant 2017–2022
Replace first at 100,000 miles or 10 years, then every 50,000 miles or 5 years Toyota
Inverter coolant 2017–2022
Replace first at 150,000 miles or 15 years, then every 50,000 miles or 5 years Toyota
Spark plugs 2017–2022
Replace every 120,000 miles Toyota
Warranty when new
| Basic | 36,000 miles or 3 years Toyota |
|---|---|
| Powertrain | 60,000 miles or 5 years Toyota |
| Hybrid parts | 100,000 miles or 8 years Toyota |
| Hybrid battery | 150,000 miles or 10 years ToyotaNationwide from 2020. Before, only in states following California's emissions rules; elsewhere it fell under the hybrid parts cover. |
| Restraint systems | 60,000 miles or 5 years Toyota |
| Corrosion perforation | 5 years ToyotaAny miles |
Before you pay: every warning, recall and check on one sheet.
Open the checklist