2018 vs 2019 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.

2018

  • 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

2019

  • Brake booster pump 2019–2020

    What to check: Ask whether recall 19V544000 was done, and watch for brake and stability control warning lights.

    On the 2019 Prius and the 2019–2020 Prius Prime, the brake booster pump may fail, switching off stability control and brake assist.

    NHTSA

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)

Rare catches

2018

Nothing that 2019 lacks.

2019

Nothing that 2018 lacks.

Both years

  • Rare Titanium Glow Color

    Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)

  • Rare Blue Magnetism Color

    Prius Prime only An owners' registry (unofficial)

Recalls

2018

  • 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

2019

  • 19V544000 2019–2020

    The brake booster pump may fail, switching off stability control and brake assist. NHTSA

  • 19V876000 2019

    A short circuit in the instrument cluster can blank the speedometer, odometer and fuel gauge. NHTSA

What changed between

After 2018, up to and including 2019.

  1. 2019Refreshed: new front and rear styling. AWD-e was added, and the trims were renamed L, LE, XLE and Limited. Toyota, a published reference

What it came with

2018

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

2019

Drivetrains
All-wheel drive (AWD-e) (2019–2022) Toyota, a published reference
Trims
L (2019–2022) A published reference, LE (2019–2022) A published reference, XLE (2019–2022) A published reference, Limited (2019–2022) A published reference

Both years

Engines
1.8L hybrid A published reference, 1.8L plug-in hybrid (2017–2022) Toyota, a published reference
Transmissions
Planetary power-split (eCVT) A published reference
Drivetrains
Front-wheel drive 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

Colors

2018

  • Blue Crush Metallic 8W7, 2016–2018 Edmunds, an owners' registry (unofficial)

2019

  • Supersonic Red 3U5, 2019–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial)
  • Electric Storm Blue 8X7, 2019–2022 An owners' registry (unofficial)

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

What owners and buyers say

Reputation: what owners and the press report

2018

  • 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)

2019

Nothing that 2018 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

  • 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