19,518.
That is how many Prius models Americans bought in the first half of this year. It used to be the symbol of green transport. Now it is just a car people aren’t buying. Down 42.3%.
Ironically.
Gas prices are up thanks to the mess in the Iran. You would think folks would be running to hybrids. They aren’t. So Toyota isn’t panicking either. They are just tweaking the paint job.
Barely Anything Changes
For 2027 the Prius gets a new color. Inked. Cool name. It also gets dual-zone climate control. Finally.
That is it.
Prices went up $205 everywhere. The LE starts at $28,790 when you add destination fees. The XLE, Nightshade and Limited got hit with the same hike. It feels lazy but maybe lazy sells. Or maybe it doesn’t.
“Small changes for a model facing massive headwinds.”
The powertrain stayed the same. It’s a 2.0L four-cylinder hybrid making 194 horsepower. You get 55 mpg combined if you take it easy. Put the All-Wheel Drive version down and you make 196 hp but lose two mpg. Fifty-three. Not terrible but the sales numbers say it isn’t enough.
The Plug-In Option
If the gas-guzzler efficiency doesn’t convince you Toyota has the Prius Plug-in. Same tiny updates. New Inked color. Climate control dials for two people now.
The price jump holds true here too. Start at $33,185 with fees. The XSE Nightshade and Premium trims also lost another $200 of value in the resale department because they cost more new.
It’s a plug-in. You have a 13.6 kWh batter and electric motors helping out the gas engine. Two-hundred twenty horsepower combined. You can go 44 miles on electrons alone. That is decent for commuting. Once the juice runs out? You’re back to regular hybrid duty. Fifty-one mpg combined.
It’s efficient. Just not exciting enough.
Is 50+ mpg a selling point anymore?
Maybe for a subset of drivers. But the Prius feels tired. The updates are tired. A new color and $205 won’t fix a 42% sales drop. People want something that feels fresh or something that screams value. The Prius is whispering neither.
We will see how 2028 plays out. But for now it is just Inked. And expensive. And quiet.
