Having lived in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 2000s - when the oddly-shaped yet super trendy Prius was all the rage - I can't tell you how happy I was to see its incredible transformation decades later when it was redesigned in 2023. Now, this pioneering hybrid that defined the segment is celebrating its 25th year in America.
As the Prius marks this incredible milestone, I bring you this week's test drive, the 2026 Prius Nightshade Plug-In Hybrid (PHEV). Based on the XSE grade, it's one of four trims and sits just below the top-range Limited. Last year, Toyota dropped the word PRIME formerly reserved for its plug-in hybrids so there can be no confusion over what it is.
As for sales this year, the standard Prius hybrid is by far the best-seller of the two powertrain variants, with the hybrid posting 34,237 sales as of the end of the third quarter to the PHEV's 12,540. Over the summer Automotive News reported a planned refresh this year had been pushed to at least 2027.
Exterior
If I haven't said it before I'll say it now: at certain angles, the Prius almost takes on the design of a Tesla Model S. A low swooping roofline gives it a sleek and modern aerodynamic silhouette.
The Nightshade edition is available in an exclusive Karashi yellow hue worn by my tester. It pairs well with 19-inch black- finish alloys and blacked-out exterior elements including black badging, black outdoor door handles, black bumper trim and a black mounted shark-fin antenna. Slim BI-LED headlights and LED daytime running lights add to the sleek look up front, as do LED taillights in the rear.
Other features include heated power-folding side mirrors, a charge port door and optional glass roof (a solar charging roof is available on the XSE Premium.)
Performance
The thing I love most about the Prius Plug-In Hybrid is well, it's powertrain. It's the most powerful in the lineup - and its 220 ponies feels better than the numbers suggest. They are certainly better than the standard hybrid's 196 (all-wheel-drive variant). The downside is the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine (paired with a 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery) drones when you accelerate. The engine is paired with an Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT). Note as opposed to the Hybrid - the Plug-In hybrid does not offer all-wheel drive.
The Nightshade PHEV will deliver 40 miles on it EV charge. Recharging the battery takes roughly eleven hours on a standard 120V home outlet. A Level 2 charger takes roughly four hours.
Interior
The Nightshade's black interior is a mix of soft-touch and plastic materials. It's the only trim with carbon fiber detail on the dash.
Black Softex-trimmed, heated, front seats feature grey stitching. The driver's seat is 8-way power, the passenger's 6-way manually adjusting. The seats are comfortable with cushions on the smaller side. Seat backs are pleasantly supportive.
The big drawback in the cabin to me is the top-mount 7-inch digital driver display. It's pushed forward in an attempt to make it more line-of-sight but it ends up being awkward and you have to position the steering wheel just right to be able to see all the info. Since it was introduced in 2023, I've tried to like it but I just can't.
The Nightshade is optionally equipped with the available 12.3-inch touchscreen that runs Toyota's latest multi-media system compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drive Connect (1 year trial) includes Intelligent Assistant, Cloud Navigation and Destination Assist. A standard 6-speaker sound system sounds surprisingly good.
The center stack and slim glossy black console are no-nonsense with traditional controls, a short gear shift knob, two cupholders, two USB-Cs and a well-placed phone charger. Controls for the electric parking brake, auto brake hold and drive mode select are easy to locate. A small center console bin houses another 2 USB-C ports. Thicker soft-touch material for the bin armrest is on my wishlist. The Nightshade's fixed glass roof (divided by a large pane) is optional.
There is no shortage of USB-C ports - with six in all throughout the cabin. Standard Wi-Fi Connect ( 1-month or up to 3 GB trial) offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices. It also enables a new Integrated Streaming feature (1-month trial included), so you can link your Apple Music and Amazon Music subscriptions to the vehicle.
On to the second row, which holds a potential deal breaker for some. Headroom virtually disintegrates due to the Prius' lower roofline and stadium-style seating. Other than that, the 60/40 rear split seats are comfy and a drop-down center armrest offers cupholders. Soft-touch seatback pockets are a nice feature but you won't find rear A/C vents.
Cargo space - including a tonneau cover - is excellent and optional cargo mats add an upscale feel. A power liftgate is reserved for the Limited.
Ride and Drive
The Prius PHEV makes a great daily driver and commuter car with its enjoyable ride and drive. It's comfortable, smooth, and confident with better handling than you expect. Its sharper and responsive steering response impressed me in Sport mode. Acceleration is great too, even if it's not wow-worthy off-the line like some electrified vehicles. The Prius' impressive brakes also deserve a mention. On the down side, it could be quieter on the highway. It also has a very wide turning radius.
Safety
Toyota's driver assistance system are excellent. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist. Other standard safety features across the lineup include a backup camera, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert, Safe Exit Alert, and Rear Seat Reminder.
Options What You'll Pay
Options include a Digital Key Capable ($275), 12.3-inch Toyota Audio multimedia ($610), fixed glass roof ($1,000), key gloves ($20), alloy wheel locks ($90) and carpeted floor mats and cargo mat ($319). This brings the MSRP to $41,304 with destination.
Verdict
Toyota's head-turning redesign of the Prius a few years ago continues to impress with the introduction of the 2026 Prius Nightshade PHEV. It checks all the boxes when it comes to driving dynamics, fuel efficiency, style, tech and safety. Perhaps the biggest box of all? It's far from boring.
- What I liked most: Looks, driving dynamics.
- What I would change: Make the cabin quieter on the highway, consider redesigning the digital driver display.
- MSRP: Base Price: $37,795. Total MSRP: $41,304 including destination.
- Official Color: Karashi.
- Fuel Economy: 48 gas-only mpg combined/115 mpge combined.
- EV Range: 40 miles.
- Odometer reading when tested: 9,792 miles.
- Weight: 3,516 pounds.
- Spare Tire: Tire Repair Kit.
- Length-Width-Height: 181.1" long/70.2" wide/56.3" high.
- Fuel Tank Capacity: 10.5 gallons with the filler on the driver's side.
- Towing Capacity: N/A.
- 2026 Prius Nightshade PHEV in a few words: The new-for-2026 Prius Nightshade goes places in fuel efficient in blacked-out style.
- Warranty: 3-year/36,000 mile Basic Warranty; 5-year/60 months/unlimited miles Corrosion Perforation; 60 months/60,000 miles Powertrain; 120 months/150,000 miles Hybrid Battery; 96 months/100,000 miles Hybrid Systems; 60 months/60,000 miles Restraint Systems.
- Final Assembly Location: Aichi, Japan.
- Manufacturer's website: Toyota
