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Years ago, the Toyota Prius was the butt of many an automotive joke. For some, it was an environmentally conscious fashion statement, like a yellow Livestrong band. In “The Other Guys,” Will Ferrell’s character suffers an onslaught of ridicule for putting around in his Prius to the sounds of the Little River Band. Today, however, the Prius plays a very different tune. So much so that a new Toyota Prius might be worth the current delays for the brand’s hybrids. 

From a better look to that magic 50+ mpg figure, the new Toyota Prius is a big improvement

For starters, the 2025 Toyota Prius is three model years into a much-needed update. Gone are the silly proportions and awkward lines. In their place, the refreshed Prius wears an attractive, rakish squint, like the lead character in a spy film. The good news continues within the Prius’s cabin. Everything is more grown-up than the fourth-generation model’s quirky, smartphone-esque aesthetic.

What’s more, the fifth-generation Prius doesn’t sacrifice fuel economy as part of its facelift. After all, the Prius’s historic party piece has always been a dainty thirst for fuel. In fact, the most efficient of the lineup, the front-wheel drive (FWD) Prius LE, adds around 3.0 mpg to the previous model’s highway fuel economy. All in all, Toyota says a new Prius could be good for around 57 mpg combined, one more than its older sibling.

Mercifully, the Prius doesn’t take a sober approach to driving dynamics. In either the FWD or AWD configuration, the new Prius is faster than its predecessor. The fourth-generation model took an agonizing 10.5 seconds to toss out the anchor and sprint to 60 mph. The new model, on the other hand, will make that same dash in 7.1 seconds. It’s a much-welcomed improvement over the previous Prius.

However, you might have to wait to get your mitts on one. Toyota is currently contending with high demand and delays for its hybrids across the brand’s lineup and international markets. The automaker is having a tough time sourcing vital parts for its hybrids, like magnets and battery components. In the United States, delays can last months. Elsewhere, like in India, waits can take up three-quarters of a calendar year.

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Staff Writer

Erik Sherman

Erik Sherman is a MotorBiscuit Staff Writer, an admitted petrolhead, and an avid motorcyclist. Erik covers Tesla daily, including the Model Y and Cybertruck. Erik also covers Toyota, often discussing the Tundra, Tacoma, RAV4, 4Runner, and Camry. Erik also has extensive experience with military and emergency vehicles, ranging from ambulances and fire engines to MRAPs and Humvees. Erik is a United States Marine Corps combat veteran, former water survival practitioner, and a former firefighter/EMT. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Texas at Austin.