DecodedCars2020 Toyota Prius Prime
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2020 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr Liftback
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Plug-in Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 54 combined · 55 city / 53 hwy
- Length
- 178.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,364 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 54 MPG combined — 96% better than the average 2020 midsize car (27.6 MPG).
- Plug-in hybrid version availableOffered as a plug-in hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
No weak spots against similar models in the data.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2020 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is a midsize car offered with a 1.8L 4-cyl engine, including a hybrid version and front-wheel drive.
It measures about 179 inches long and 69 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,364 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 54 MPG combined (55 city / 53 highway), 96% better than the 2020 midsize car average of 27.6 MPG, for an estimated $1,250 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2020
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2019 Prius Prime — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2019; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2019 Prius Prime →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5dr Liftback | 178.7 in | 69.3 in | 57.9 in | 106.3 in | 60.2 / 60.2 in | 3,364 lb | 60/40 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 55 / 53 / 54 | +96% | $1,250 | 78 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2020 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime.
Similar 2020 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 Toyota Prius Prime (this car) | 54 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2020 Toyota Corolla | 52 MPG | ★★★★★ | 6 |
| 2020 Honda Civic | 36 MPG | ★★★★★ | 5 |
| 2020 Nissan GT-R | 18 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Toyota Prius | 56 MPG | ★★★★★ | 0 |
| 2020 Mazda 3 | 30 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2020 Subaru Impreza | 31 MPG | ★★★★★ | 1 |
Recalls (1)
Service Brakes · Jul 24, 2019
NHTSA campaign 19V544000 · 6,925 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Risk
- Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.
Not every 2020 Toyota Prius Prime is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2020 Toyota Prius Prime buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 5 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Power Train — 3 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Vehicle Speed Control — 3 owner reports. Ask the seller and mechanic specifically about this system.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 12,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Hybrid system. Check for hybrid-system warning lights and ask whether the high-voltage battery has been replaced or is still under warranty.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2020 Toyota Prius Prime. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Prius Prime years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Prius Prime | 52 | – | ★★★★★ | 4 | 15 |
| 2023 Prius Prime | 52 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 6 |
| 2022 Prius Prime | 54 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 8 |
| 2021 Prius Prime | 54 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 10 |
| 2019 Prius Prime | 54 | 178.7 in | Not rated | 1 | 9 |
| 2018 Prius Prime | 54 | – | Not rated | 0 | 16 |
| 2017 Prius Prime | 54 | – | Not rated | 0 | 42 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →