2016 Toyota Prius

2016 Toyota Prius Overview

Is the 2016 Toyota Prius a Good Used Car?

The 2016 Toyota Prius is a great option if you’re shopping for a used compact car. The Prius was redesigned for 2016. This update not only improved the hatchback’s previous strengths – high fuel economy and loads of cargo space – but it added new ones too. The redesigned Prius feels more athletic and more fun to drive than previous models, and its cushioned ride shrugs off bumps nicely. Its cabin sports elegant styling, and its driving position is comfortable for the long haul. Factor in the Prius’ high safety scores and low ownership costs, and you’ve got the recipe for a great family car.

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We’ve researched 20 Toyota Prius reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.

U.S. News Best Cars has been ranking and reviewing vehicles since 2007, and our team has decades of experience in the auto industry. Though we’re passionate about cars, we’re even more committed to providing helpful consumer advice. To maintain objectivity, we don’t accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies.

How Much Is the 2016 Toyota Prius?

You can expect to pay between $17,000 and $25,000 for a used 2016 Toyota Prius. These figures are based on around 400 listings for the model on our site. The average price is $20,500. Prices will vary depending on the vehicle's condition, mileage, features, and location.

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How Much Does the 2016 Toyota Prius Cost to Own?

With the 2016 Prius, you can expect to pay just $17,400 on gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance over five years – or about $3,500 per year. This is much lower than average for a compact car. The only class rivals with lower five-year costs are the 2016 Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, which will cost you $15,600 and $16,600, respectively. These lower costs mostly stem from fuel savings; the Volt and Leaf both offer long-range all-electric driving abilities.

Is It Better to Buy a Used or New Prius?

The 2018 Prius starts at $23,475, which is pricier than the average 2016 model. You can surely save money by shopping used, especially if you want a base model. However, there is one major benefit to buying new. Beginning in 2017, Toyota began equipping all Prius models with its Safety Sense P package. This means all 2017 and 2018 models have adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane departure warning as standard. If these are must-have items, note that it may be cheaper to buy a newer model than a used model with these features equipped.

Read about the new Toyota Prius »

On the other hand, you may want to consider the 2018 Toyota Prius c. You can buy the smallest member of the Prius family for around the same price as the average used 2016 Prius. It has less seating and cargo space than the standard Prius, but it packs a wide array of safety features. Its tiny dimensions also make it a breeze to park.

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How Reliable Is the 2016 Toyota Prius?

The Prius has excellent reliability, earning a score of five out of five from J.D. Power.

Read more about Prius reliability »

2016 Toyota Prius Recalls

At the time of this writing, there are several safety recalls for the 2016 Prius. Toyota identified an issue with the car’s front and side-curtain air bag sensors, which could prevent the air bags from properly deploying in a crash. A separate recall addresses a defect with the passenger-side front air bag, which could partially inflate over time. Another recall covers an issue with the parking brake cable. Before buying a used Prius, make sure these recalls have been addressed.

See more information on Toyota Prius safety recalls »

Which Model Year of the Toyota Prius Is Best?

The 2016 Prius marks the first model year of the hatchback’s fourth generation. There have been few changes to the Prius since, so used 2016 models will get you many of the same features as 2017 and 2018 models – but for less money. You can save even more money with a model from the previous generation, though you'll miss out on the improved fuel economy, handling, and interior quality that came with the 2016 redesign.

Compare the 2014, 2015, and 2016 Prius »

Which Used Prius Model Is Right for Me?

Toyota offers the 2016 Prius in six trims: Two, Two Eco, Three, Three Touring, Four, and Four Touring. The base Toyota Prius Two model is well-equipped with a standard 6.1-inch touch screen, a rearview camera, AM/FM radio, a CD player, a USB input, Bluetooth, cloth seats, automatic climate control, keyless entry, push-button start, cruise control, alloy wheels, and a nickel-metal hydride battery pack. The Prius Two Eco adds a lighter lithium-ion battery and slight aerodynamic changes that improve fuel economy by about 4 mpg in the city and on the highway.

The Prius Three trim adds a larger 7-inch touch screen, a navigation system, satellite radio, and wireless device charging. The Prius Three Touring trim adds the Toyota Safety Sense P package (TSS-P) and leatherette upholstery. The Prius Four trim adds rain-sensing wipers, heated front seats, and blind spot monitoring (TSS-P is optional). The Prius Four Touring trim adds TSS-P to the Prius Four’s features. Parking sensors, a head-up display, and a moonroof are among the available features.

See 2016 Toyota Prius trims and specs »

Certified Pre-Owned Toyota Prius Warranty

Toyota provides a one-year/12,000-mile limited warranty on all its certified pre-owned vehicles, and it extends the original new-car powertrain warranty to seven years or 100,000 miles. Each CPO Toyota must pass a 160-point inspection. Additional benefits like towing and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Toyota warranty page carefully. The model's original sale date determines whether it is eligible for the CPO program.

Toyota has one of the better certified pre-owned programs, along with Chevrolet and Honda.

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How Safe Is the Prius?

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named the Prius a 2016 Top Safety Pick+ and gave the hatchback a Good safety rating in all areas tested. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gave the Prius a perfect five-star overall rating, as well as five stars for side impact safety and four stars for front impact and rollover crash safety.

All models come standard with a rearview camera. Available safety features include parking sensors, parallel park assist, blind spot monitoring, and rear cross traffic alert. The Toyota Safety Sense P package (TSS-P) is standard in Touring trim levels and available in Three and Four trims. It includes lane departure warning, lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, and the Pre-Collision system (forward collision warning with brake assist).

See Prius safety scores »

2016 Toyota Prius Versus the Competition

Which Is Better: 2016 Toyota Prius or 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid?

The 2016 Ford C-Max Hybrid has inviting interior styling, brisk acceleration, and refined handling. But those benefits aren’t enough to make it a good buy. The C-Max trails the Prius with lower fuel economy (41/36 mpg city/highway), less cargo space, fewer advanced safety features, and a low reliability rating. Its control layout also isn’t as user-friendly. Stick with the Prius.

Which Is Better: 2016 Toyota Prius or 2016 Chevrolet Volt?

The 2016 Chevy Volt isn’t as well-rounded as the Prius. It has rather cramped rear seats and a slim cargo space. Even so, it’s still a good alternative for used car shoppers. The Volt gets up to speed with more authority than the Prius, and it can drive up to 53 miles using electricity alone. The Volt also has quality interior materials and superb crash safety ratings.

Compare the Prius, C-Max Hybrid, and Volt »

2016 Prius Performance

How Does the 2016 Toyota Prius Drive?

The Prius has a four-cylinder engine and two electric motors that yield a combined 121 horsepower. A continuously variable automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard. This hybrid system is no powerhouse – its primary focus is fuel economy – but it does scoot the Prius up to speed confidently (and rather quietly, too). The electric motor takes care of initial acceleration, and the gas engine kicks in seamlessly to assist. The transmission changes gear promptly, and it helps deliver adequate muscle for passing and climbing hills.

Arguably the most significant change to the new Prius is how it handles. While the previous generation felt somewhat clumsy and disconnected, the 2016 Prius is balanced and composed. Its steering is responsive, and the car feels quite stable when rounding turns thanks largely to a new rear suspension design. This suspension also soaks up bumps better, giving the Toyota a supple and pleasant ride. The brakes slow the car confidently and have a natural feel, which isn’t always the case with hybrid vehicles. Once the driver lifts off the throttle, the electric motors begin to slow the car. This energy is then used to recharge the battery pack.

Does the 2016 Toyota Prius Get Good Gas Mileage?

The Prius returns exceptional fuel economy. The Prius Two Eco model leads the lineup with an EPA-estimated 58 mpg in the city and 53 mpg on the highway. All other Prius models are rated at 54/50 mpg city/highway.

Read more about Prius performance »

2016 Prius Interior

How Many People Does the 2016 Prius Seat?

The Toyota Prius has five seats. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and they provide fine head- and legroom. The driving position is nice as well, and it’s paired with excellent front and side visibility. The rear seats are similarly cozy, even for average-sized adults. Cloth upholstery is standard; leatherette and heated seats are available. The Prius’ interior remains very quiet at highway speeds, with little wind or road noise. Its cabin materials look and feel great as well, and many surfaces have a soft-touch to them. That said, the white plastics found in higher trim levels may not appeal to all tastes, and they’re a bit hard to keep clean.

How Many Car Seats Fit in the 2016 Toyota Prius?

The Prius has two full sets of LATCH connectors for securing child seats. The IIHS gave the LATCH system a Good+ rating (the highest possible) for ease of use.

2016 Toyota Prius Features

All models come standard with a touch screen, a rearview camera, AM/FM radio, a CD player, a USB input, Bluetooth, and Siri Eyes Free connectivity. Available features include a navigation system, a head-up display, a JBL sound system, satellite radio, wireless device charging, and the Entune app suite (includes Pandora and iHeartRadio). The Prius’ dashboard has a clean design, with simply arranged audio and climate controls. It’s just as easy to adjust the audio as it is to toggle the heating and air conditioning controls. The touch screen responds quickly as well, and it has sharp graphics. The instrument cluster may be initially jarring to some drivers – it’s located in the center of the dashboard – but it isn’t a major issue.

See 2016 Toyota Prius specs »

Read more about Prius interior »

2016 Toyota Prius Dimensions

Toyota Prius Cargo Space

The Prius has 27.4 cubic feet of cargo space behind its rear seats and 65.5 cubic feet with its rear seats folded. These measurements are exceptional for a compact car.

2016 Prius Length and Weight

The 2016 Prius is 14.9 feet long and has a curb weight of between 3,010 and 3,080 pounds.

Where Was the 2016 Toyota Prius Built?

The 2016 Prius was built in Aichi, Japan, at Toyota’s Tsutsumi Plant.