Texas (Jan. 7, 2025) – Look out, the Toyota Prius lineup is making room for a new Nightshade grade. Based off the XLE, the new Nightshade grade adds 19-inch black-finished alloy wheels, black exterior badging, a black shark fin antenna, black front door handles, and black bumper trim – adding a dark moody feel to the sleek and stylish sedan. The Nightshade grade also adds some spice with a new exclusive color Karashi. Other exterior color options for the grade include Midnight Black Metallic and Wind Chill Pearl.
The 2025 Toyota Prius is available in four grades: LE, XLE, Nightshade and Limited. Under the hood is the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5) and a 2.0L engine, delivering 194 net-combined horsepower on Front-Wheel Drive (FWD) equipped models, and up to 196 net-combined horsepower on the Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) equipped models. The hybrid system offers excellent fuel economy with an EPA-estimated rating of up to 57 MPG combined. The available e-AWD system adds extra grip when needed and has an impressive EPA-estimated 54 MPG combined rating.
The Prius will be available in a choice of seven colors: Wind Chill Pearl, Cutting Edge, Guardian Gray, Midnight Black Metallic, Supersonic Red, Reservoir Blue and Karashi (exclusive to Nightshade grade). The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price, excluding Dealer Processing and Handling, will start at $28,350 for the LE grade.
Stellar Efficiency with Fifth Gen THS
The 2025 Prius pairs the fifth-generation Toyota Hybrid System (THS 5) with a M20A-FXS inline four-cylinder 2.0L gas engine with two motor-generators through a planetary-type continuously variable transmission. A compact high-output/low-loss drive motor for the transaxle/motor uses a six magnet and electromagnetic steel plate configuration to support drive functions.
The engine, working in concert with the larger electric motor (MG2), assures responsive performance, while exemplary energy efficiency is achieved by using both electric motors (MG1 and MG2) to charge a lithium-ion battery. The result is an engaging acceleration experience with 194 combined hybrid system horsepower and an estimated 0-60 time of 7.2 seconds for FWD equipped models.
Another boost to Prius’ fuel efficiency comes from the Electronically Controlled Brake system, which coordinates operation between the regenerative braking force of the electric motors and the hydraulic braking system force to provide optimal stopping power. By proactively using the electric motors to recover as much electrical energy as possible from the regenerative braking system, this extremely efficient cooperative control helps to maximize fuel economy.
Prius also offers EV mode, which allows the vehicle to be operated as a pure electric vehicle for short distances, depending upon certain conditions, such as battery charge level and vehicle speed. This mode is useful for operating the vehicle in parking lots or indoor parking garages, for example. The Vehicle Proximity Notification feature is designed to alert pedestrians of the vehicle’s presence when running in battery mode.
With the push of a button, the 2025 Prius also comes with standard selectable Drive modes:
- NORMAL: Allows the hybrid system to achieve an ideal combination of fuel economy and vehicle acceleration. The accelerator opening amount changes linearly in response to accelerator pedal operation.
- ECO: Improves hybrid system efficiency by limiting power in response to light to moderate accelerator pedal input.
- SPORT: Enhances dynamic performance and acceleration.
Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive
The 2025 Prius also has an available Electronic On-Demand All-Wheel Drive (AWD) system on all grades that gives it the capability to deliver added traction when needed. The AWD system uses a motor to drive the rear wheels, enabling stable driving performance when starting off, when driving on slippery road surfaces, and to assist while cornering.
AWD-equipped models employ a separate rear-mounted electric motor that powers the rear wheels when needed. Adding AWD to the Prius offers 196 combined system horsepower and a manufacturer-estimated 0-60 time of 7.0 seconds.
A high-output IPM (Interior Permanent Magnet) motor drives the rear wheels, allowing for a compact design that can reduce wheel spin in low traction situations and improve stability when turning. The system works seamlessly by preemptively distributing driving force to the rear wheels to help suppress front wheel slip during off-the-line starts. It also engages the rear motor in response to slippage at the front wheels and enhances cornering agility by helping to reduce understeer.
The AWD system performs precise electronic control of the front-rear torque distribution in accordance with the driving conditions. This motor-driven AWD system is capable of efficiently using the battery power for driving the front and rear wheels. Data from the wheel speed sensors and G-force sensors is processed by the vehicle computer system and sent to the rear motor as electrical signals to control the rear wheel torque. The system provides the optimal front-rear torque distribution based on the vehicle speed and accelerator operation amount and performs control according to the conditions to allow stable driving.
Intelligent Technology
The 2025 Toyota Prius is equipped with an 8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia Screen on the LE and XLE grades, and a 12.3-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia screen is standard on the Nightshade and Limited grades. The Toyota Audio Multimedia system gives drivers the opportunity to access a wide range of enhanced connectivity and convenience features, including Over-the-Air (OTA) updates.
