Green Vehicles

2025 Best Plug-In Hybrid: Toyota Prius PHEV

The Toyota Prius’ drastic design change from hum-drum eco commuter to streamlined sedan was nothing short of revolutionary and added a much-needed image boost for the nameplate that popularized the hybrid vehicle in North America.

To go with the fancy new sheet metal, Toyota installed its latest hybrid system, now in its fifth generation. Combining two electric motors and a 2.0-litre gas engine nets 220 hp, about 100 more than the last generation. The handling wasn’t overlooked either, with the Prius earning the favour of AutoTrader expert Jeff Wilson. He wrote in a review, “The new Prius PHEV was expected to be jaw-droppingly efficient, but what is more surprising is how satisfying the new car’s driving feel is. The suspension calibration is more sophisticated than that of the old car, and despite its very agreeable ride quality, the PHEV is decently rewarding to toss into corners.”

AutoTrader’s panel of 20 automotive experts from across the country considered every single vehicle available in this rapidly growing segment before voting on the best one, a vehicle they feel raises the bar and represents a best buy. As demand for less expensive electrified options rises, the Prius PHEV is the one our jury has voted as the Best Plug-In Hybrid vehicle in the 2025 AutoTrader Awards.

The Prius PHEV (which used to be called the Prius Prime) won this award last year as well, and it was the clear winner again with its blend of efficiency, quality, design, and driver satisfaction. Its innovative two-motor hybrid system seamlessly blends gas and electric power, and the 13.6-kWh lithium-ion battery under the floor enables an electric-only range of 72 km. With a combined efficiency rating of 4.5 L/100 km, it’s one of the most fuel-efficient cars on the market, and the added electric driving range over the outgoing model makes daily emission-free commuting a real possibility.

There are three different trims, SE, XSE, and XSE Premium, but even the base model is well-equipped with heated seats, a heated steering wheel, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and the latest version of Toyota’s suite of driver assistance and safety systems. Pricing starts at $42,545 and tops out at $51,045, which includes freight, PDI, and fees. The Prius PHEV cannot be ordered with all-wheel drive, which comes standard on the non-plug-in Prius.

Along with its remarkable efficiency and swoopy styling, the Prius PHEV is fun to drive and packs a much bigger punch than it did before. The interior shares similarities to the all-electric BZ4x, including the high-mounted gauge cluster screen. AutoTrader Road Test Editor Dan Ilika writes, “The cabin has been elevated beyond the previous generation in a big way.” Ilika also cites value as being one of the Prius’ strengths. In his review, he writes: “Considering all the ways this car has been improved, its affordability is simply outstanding. With or without government incentives – although those certainly help – the starting MSRP is more than reasonable.”

With the Prius PHEV, you get tons of technology, usable cargo space under the liftback, and marvellous efficiency made possible with one of the most robust and dependable hybrid systems on the market.

While there are many great plug-in hybrids to consider, the 2025 Toyota Prius PHEV’s combination of design, driveability, and value helped it earn the top spot amongst plug-in hybrids two years in a row.