Trims, Powertrain, and Performance

The front-wheel-drive 2026 Prius PHEV greets buyers with four trim grades: SE, XSE, Nightshade Edition, and XSE Premium. Their power source is a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder plug-in hybrid system that makes 220 horsepower and works with an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. The base SE is the fuel economy star, achieving an EPA-estimated 53 mpg in city driving and 51 mpg on the highway, while the others return 50 mpg city/47 mpg highway.

Buyers get a dual-voltage cable that’s capable of both Level 1 and Level 2 charging. The battery reaches full capacity in approximately 11 hours via a 120V outlet, but that can be reduced to only four hours with a 240V power source. The Prius PHEV’s all-electric range ratings are estimated between 44 miles for the SE and 39 miles for the higher trims.

Standard Equipment

The SE gets fabric upholstery, remote keyless entry with a smart key system on the driver’s door, single-zone climate control with pollen filtration, a SofTex-trimmed heated steering wheel, rain-sensing windshield wipers, heated folding power side mirrors, automatic bi-LED projector headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights and brake lights, a cargo-area tonneau cover, a 7-inch LCD multi-information display, six USB ports, and 17-inch alloy wheels with covers. The XSE upgrades to SofTex (faux leather) upholstery, heated front seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, wireless device charging, an auto-dimming rearview mirror with HomeLink, and 19-inch alloy wheels. It also gets extended smart key functions (for both front doors and the rear hatch).

The Nightshade Edition carries the same features as the XSE, but it differs in appearance with black SofTex upholstery with gray contrast stitching, carbon-fiber dashboard accents, an exclusive Karashi paint color choice, and the following blacked-out elements: door handles, bumper trim, a roof-mounted shark-fin antenna, badging, exterior door handles, doorsills, and 19-inch alloy wheels. The XSE Premium reverts to the non-Nightshade look and adds heated and ventilated front seats, digital key capability, driver’s seat memory, a power liftback, and a fixed-glass roof with an option to add a solar charging element for the hybrid battery.

Advanced Driver Aids and Safety Technology

The standard version of Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 (TSS 3.0) consists of automatic high beams, dynamic radar cruise control, proactive driving assist, lane departure alert with steering assist, lane tracing assist, a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, and road sign assist. Outside of the TSS 3.0 suite, all grades are also equipped with front cross-traffic alert, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert, traffic jam assist, lane change assist, rear-seat reminder, and safe exit alert. The XSE and above add front/rear parking assist with automatic braking. The Advanced Technology Package, an upgrade that’s available only for the XSE Premium, will add Advanced Park and a panoramic view monitor.

Infotainment and Connectivity

The multimedia system in the ‘26 Prius PHEV lineup brings together Bluetooth hands-free phone controls and audio streaming, wireless Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay, and SiriusXM satellite radio with a trial subscription. From the SE to the Nightshade Edition, the setup is an 8-inch color touchscreen paired with a six-speaker sound system. The XSE Premium stands alone with a 12-inch color touchscreen and a JBL audio system with eight speakers.