DecodedCars2016 Toyota Prius
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2016 models.
- Class
- Midsize Cars
- Body styles
- 5dr Liftback
- Engines
- 1.8L 4-cyl
- Horsepower
- 96–138 hp
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Hybrid
- MPG (best)
- 56 combined · 58 city / 53 hwy
- Length
- 178.7 in
- Curb weight
- 3,064 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 5 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 56 MPG combined — 114% better than the average 2016 midsize car (26.2 MPG).
- Hybrid version availableOffered as a hybrid as well as gas.
Watch out for
- 5 recallsMore than similar models (about 2). Confirm repairs with the VIN.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 23 similar 2016 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2016 Toyota Prius 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 3,064 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 56 MPG combined (58 city / 53 highway), 114% better than the 2016 midsize car average of 26.2 MPG, for an estimated $1,200 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 5 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 155 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the visibility/wiper.
What changed for 2016
- New body dimensions: 3.1 in longer — most likely a redesign or new generation
- No plug-in hybrid version any more
- Best combined MPG up from 50 to 56
Compared with 2015; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2015 Prius →
Trims, performance & features
Trims
Built in: Toyota City, Aichi
NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 5 2016 Prius configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →
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 | 3,064 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 Eco Hybrid | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 58 / 53 / 56 | +114% | $1,200 | 158 |
| Prius Hybrid | 1.8L 4-cyl | Automatic (variable gear ratios) | Front-Wheel Drive | 54 / 50 / 52 | +98% | $1,300 | 170 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2016 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2016 Toyota Prius.
Similar 2016 midsize cars
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 Toyota Prius (this car) | 56 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Toyota Corolla | 34 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Honda Civic | 35 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2016 Nissan GT-R | 19 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2016 Hyundai Elantra | 31 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2016 Ford Focus | 34 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2016 Subaru WRX | 23 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (5)
Electrical System › Wiring · Sep 5, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V579000 · 192,347 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Toyota Prius vehicles. A portion of the engine wire harness connected to the hybrid Power Control Unit (PCU), could contact the cover at this connection and wear, causing an electrical short circuit.
- Risk
- An electrical short can increase the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the engine wire harness assembly and replace it if damage is found. A protective sleeve or protective tape will be included to prevent any future damage. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is J0T.
Air Bags › Frontal · Jan 31, 2018
NHTSA campaign 18V085000 · 48,672 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Toyota Prius and Lexus RX 350, RX 350 F Sport, RX 450h F Sport and RX 450h vehicles and 2015-2016 Lexus NX 200T, NX Turbo and NX 300h vehicles. The air bag pressure sensors and/or the acceleration sensors may fail causing the side/curtain shield air bags and/or the front air bags to not deploy in the event of a crash.
- Risk
- If the air bags fail to deploy in a crash, it can increase the risk of injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the sensors as necessary based on their serial numbers, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin March 12, 2018. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's numbers for this recall are JLA, J0F.
Hybrid Propulsion System › Inverter · Oct 18, 2017
NHTSA campaign 17V658000 · 6 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2016 Prius vehicles. A capacitor within the hybrid system may not have been properly bolted to the inverter housing.
- Risk
- If the capacitor was not properly secured, vibrations from driving the vehicle may damage the capacitor, shutting down the hybrid system, causing a loss of motive power and increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the inverter, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin by early December 2017. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is H0U.
Parking Brake · Oct 14, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V741000 · 91,585 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016-2017 Prius vehicles manufactured August 6, 2015, to October 3, 2016. The affected vehicles are equipped with a foot-operated parking brake system that has a parking brake cable that may disengage.
- Risk
- If the parking brake cable disengages from the mechanism and the transmission is left in a gear other than 'Park' while the ignition is on and the driver leaves the vehicle, the vehicle may roll unexpectedly, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will install a clip at the parking brake cable end to prevent the cable from disengaging, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G01.
Air Bags › Frontal › Passenger Side › Inflator Module · Sep 16, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V672000 · 7,817 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toyota Prius vehicles manufactured November 30, 2015, to June 14, 2016. An air bag inflator manufacturing error may result in the inadvertent partial inflation of the front passenger air bag.
- Risk
- A front passenger air bag that unintentionally inflates can increase the risk of a crash or injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the front passenger air bag assembly, free of charge. The recall began November 10, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is G0W.
Not every 2016 Toyota Prius is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2016 Toyota Prius buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 5 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Visibility/Wiper — 40 owner reports. Check all exterior lights, wipers and the windshield for cracks.
- Service Brakes — 18 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
- Electrical System — 17 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 19,700 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 2016 Toyota Prius. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Prius years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Prius | 55 | – | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Prius | 57 | 181.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 Prius | 57 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 18 |
| 2024 Prius | 57 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 27 |
| 2023 Prius | 57 | 181.1 in | ★★★★★ | 4 | 21 |
| 2022 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 24 |
| 2021 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 6 |
| 2020 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 0 | 14 |
| 2019 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 30 |
| 2018 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 37 |
| 2017 Prius | 56 | 178.7 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 91 |
| 2015 Prius | 50 | 175.6 in | Not rated | 2 | 171 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Toyota. How we calculate this →