Skip the Toyota Prius and Choose One of These Alternatives Instead
The Toyota Prius may be one of the most well-known hybrid vehicles out there, but is it the best? Not necessarily. In fact, the Toyota Prius might even be a terrible choice for satisfying your daily driving needs. That being said, rather than settling for this year’s new model, why not consider these alternatives to the Toyota Prius instead?
The Toyota Camry Hybrid is a spacious alternative to the Toyota Prius
Here’s the thing, the Prius isn’t the only hybrid model that Toyota offers. If you need a hybrid car that offers plenty of space for passengers and cargo alike, you should probably consider the Toyota Camry Hybrid. Not only does the Toyota Camry Hybrid offer significantly more hip and shoulder room for both front and rearseat passengers, but the Camry Hybrid also offers more legroom than this year’s new Prius.
But space isn’t the only reason to consider the Toyota Camry Hybrid as an alternative to the Toyota Prius. According to the IIHS, the Toyota Camry Hybrid is a safer bet than this year’s Prius. While both vehicles offer similar safety features, it’s the Camry that the IIHS recognized as a Top Safety Pick+. Unfortunately for the Prius, it wasn’t chosen by the IIHS as a Top Safety Pick+.
Choose the Kia Niro Hybrid for an SUV-inspired alternative to the Toyota Prius
The Toyota Camry Hybrid isn’t the only alternative to the Toyota Prius. If you’re not sold on this year’s model and would prefer something that’s a bit closer in styling to an SUV, get ready to consider the Kia Niro.
Much like the Prius, the Kia Niro isn’t all that expensive. While the Prius boasts a base price of $24,525, the Kia Niro will have you spending approximately $24,590 on a base model. You can rest assured knowing that the Kia Niro offers similar fuel economy ratings to the Prius too.
The Kia Niro does, however, have the edge when it comes to warranty coverage. This year’s model is standard with the automaker’s 10-year/100,000-mile warranty program, which includes a 10-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, a five-year/60,000-mile limited basic warranty, and a five-year/100,000-mile limited anti-perforation warranty. Unfortunately for Toyota shoppers, its standard warranty isn’t quite as extensive. While the Prius’ battery is covered for up to 10-years, its standard warranty maxes out after 36-months or 36,000-miles.
The Nissan Leaf is a plug-in alternative to the Toyota Prius
If fuel efficiency is a priority for you, have you thought about transitioning to an electric vehicle (EV) instead? Electric vehicles do need to be charged but, unlike the Prius, an EV won’t ever have you stopping at the pump. Take, for instance, the Nissan Leaf. Unlike the Prius, this year’s Leaf boasts a combined 111 MPGe. Nissan says that it can also drive up to 226 miles on a single charge.
There are other benefits to choosing the Nissan Leaf as an alternative to the Toyota Prius too. Unlike the Prius, the Nissan Leaf is eligible for certain federal and state rebates and incentives. So, while the Nissan Leaf’s base price might make it appear more expensive than the Toyota Prius, the Nissan Leaf could be a cheaper alternative to the Toyota Prius after incentives.
This decision is going to take a test drive
Before choosing the best alternative to the Toyota Prius for your needs, we recommend getting behind the wheel for a few test drives. In the end, test-driving each of these vehicles is the best way to understand which one is the right fit for you.
