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Nissan Versa vs Toyota Prius

2025 Nissan Versa vs 2025 Toyota Prius — two rivals compared on efficiency, size, safety and reliability.

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2025 Nissan Versa

Compact Cars
VS3 – 2Nissan Versa wins 3 of 5 categories
Toyota Prius

2025 Toyota Prius

Midsize CarsAWD/4WDHybrid/EV

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The short version

The Toyota Prius is more fuel-efficient: 57 vs 35 MPG combined in its best version.

That works out to about $700 a year less in fuel for the Toyota Prius (EPA estimate, 15,000 miles).

The Toyota Prius is the bigger car, about 4 inches longer.

Both earned 5 stars overall in NHTSA crash tests.

Across all model years since 2005, the Nissan Versa has had fewer recall campaigns (28 vs 29).

The two cars

The 2025 Nissan Versa is a compact car offered with a 1.6L 4-cyl engine and front-wheel drive. It measures about 177 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 103-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 2,659 lb.

The 2025 Toyota Prius is a midsize car offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive and part-time 4-wheel drive. It measures about 181 inches long and 70 inches wide on a 108-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,098 lb (4dr Liftback).

Buying used? The 2022 Versa and the 2021 Prius have the fewest problems in our data; avoid the 2015 Versa and the 2015 Prius.

Basics

Compact Cars
Class
Midsize Cars
Regular Gasoline
Fuel
Hybrid, Plug-in Hybrid
1.6L 4-cyl
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl
Front-Wheel Drive
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive

Efficiency

35 MPG
Best combined MPG
57 MPG
32 city
City / highway MPG (best)
57 city
$1,900
Fuel cost per year (EPA)
$1,200

Performance & space

–
Horsepower (most powerful)
150 hp
–
Seats (most)
5
176.8 in
Length
181.1 in
68.5 in
Width
70.1 in
57.5 in
Height
55.9 in
2,659 lb
Curb weight (lightest)
3,098 lb

Safety & reliability

★★★★★
NHTSA overall rating
★★★★★
–
Driver-assist features standard
12
0
Recalls (2025)
2
28
Recalls, all years since 2005
29
12
Owner complaints (latest year)
18

Interest

–
Wikipedia views, 30 days
27,440

Buying used

2022
Best used year
2021
2015
Year to avoid
2015

Green = clearly better. Prices are not included. How we calculate this →

Which one should you choose?

Choose the Nissan Versa if…

  • You want something easier to park (4 in shorter)

Choose the Toyota Prius if…

  • You want lower fuel bills (57 vs 35 MPG)
  • You want more room (4 in longer)
  • You need AWD or 4WD
  • You want a hybrid or electric option

Pros & cons of each

2025 Nissan Versa

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 35 MPG combined — 22% better than the average 2025 compact car (28.6 MPG).
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • No recalls so far

2025 Toyota Prius

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 57 MPG combined — 90% better than the average 2025 midsize car (30 MPG).
  • Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid and plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
  • AWD / 4WD available
  • 5-star NHTSA safety ratingTop overall score in federal crash tests.
  • Lots of standard safety tech5 of 5 key driver aids standard on the versions we checked.
  • Modest powerUp to 150 hp, versus about 228 hp for similar 2025 models.

Full 2025 Nissan Versa specs →Full 2025 Toyota Prius specs →Compare fuel costs for your driving →Compare size & garage fit →