2012 Toyota Prius Reviews, Pricing & Specs
Overview
America's favorite hybrid enters the third year of its third generation with a minor restyling and a lot of new gadgets and gizmos....
America's favorite hybrid enters the third year of its third generation with a minor restyling and a lot of new gadgets and gizmos. Otherwise it is still the very same wildly advanced 4-seater good for about 50 miles out of every gallon of gas. There was a time no car could go that far on an entire tank - the Prius is truly a treasured peek into our future.
Being the inspiration that it is, the 2012 Prius shows off its sportier side with more chiseled lines and aggressive detailing in the body shape, alongside new headlights and LED daytime running lights for the aggressively restyled front end and new taillights to complete the look. As much of an overhaul as that may sound, the changes are easily missed at a casual glance - but nevertheless bring the Prius a certain appeal it didn't have before.
Of course, if the factory-made sportiness isn't quite enough to suit your tastes, Toyota now offers a dealer-installed Plus accessory package. In the deal is a 7-piece body kit, lighter 17-inch wheels with performance tires, lower springs and a rear sway bar for improved cornering poise.
Fleet customers will see little change in their Prius I, but Two through Five each have new inclusions for 2012. The II gains restyled wheel covers, a new infotainment system with a 6.1-inch touchscreen and USB/Bluetooth connectivity. The III now gets navigation, Entune telematics and infotainment, a back-up camera, satellite and HD radio, and a new Smart Key system that controls all three doors.
The IV gains an 8-speaker JBL audio system with reduced power consumption, and the V basically gets all of the above plus the option of the Advanced Technology Package, including an upgraded navigation system with a larger screen, a heads-up display, Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, a Pre-Collision system and Lane Keep Assist. Buyers of the IV can opt for a Deluxe Solar Roof Package with the heads-up display and a 7-inch touchscreen monitor with split-screen capabilities.
Drivers are consistently pleased with their Prius. Despite professional reviews suggesting poor materials quality and the like, even previous Lexus owners quickly forget to be picky about such things. Although the trip meter does tend to read about 2 mpg higher than actual usage, all drivers report fuel economy as advertised - and sometimes better. The different driving modes afford much more flexibility and enjoyment than previous Prius versions, with PWR offering ample power for acceleration and EV making those loaded parking lots and hours of highway gridlock considerably more economical.
With features like a solar-powered sunroof that ventilates the car while parked, the Prius is a futuristic gem for Toyota's asking price - and well worth a high spot on the list for anyone who feels the pinch at the pump but still wants utility, comfort, reliability and a bit of thrill in their daily commute.
What owners say
"Owners generally appreciate the 2012 Toyota Prius for its reliability and impressive fuel economy, making it an economical choice for daily driving. Many highlight its well-built features, quiet ride, and practicality, especially in terms of cargo space. However, some drivers noted that it's not the most comfortable vehicle compared to others and mentioned issues like noise and delays in acceleration."
Great value, fun to drive and 50+ mpg on average
September 2, 2025Car is well built and loaded with features. Good daily driver.
May 21, 2021Great model year. You can’t beat fuel economy and reliability.
July 28, 2021What owners say
Great value, fun to drive and 50+ mpg on average
September 2, 2025Car is well built and loaded with features. Good daily driver.
May 21, 2021Great model year. You can’t beat fuel economy and reliability.
July 28, 2021Car has every feature that a Mercedes has but uses regular fuel and gets 45 to 50 miles per gallon. I especially like the navigation system, backup camera and HUD display. Great commuter car and fun to drive on the weekends!
August 22, 2014Awesome handling, quiet ride, 50+ mpg, stellar looks, doesn't kill your wallet at the pump. Build quality is first rate. Why can't US manufacturers build cars like the imports do? The Prius with the Plus Performance package is an incredible car to drive. It handles like it is on rails yet will get well over 50 mpg. What more could a person say? If you can afford to buy one, do it. It will be in your family for many years to come and pay for itself many times in that period. Today's performance is not about running 105 octane trick gas and getting less than 10 mpg while collecting tickets. It's about spending as little on gas as you can so you are not funding those crazy oil producing countries so much.
April 13, 2012This is my 2nd Prius (first one was 2006 2nd generation) and I love my previous so when it is time to sell my 2002 Porsche 911, I bought a brand new 2012 Prius. No regrets. Even better than the 2006 version. With more power especially in Power mode. No complaints and will keep it as long as I could.
July 12, 2014Style aside, The Prius is one of the best value, reliable cars ever made.
September 5, 2022I've driven this car for a little while and although impressed with its potential, I came away understanding this was not the car for me. I do respect it. In the right hands, this car can do amazing things. It is as reliable as the sun rising each day, has enough gizmos to keep my techno mind occupied and is comfortable. I enjoy a bit more feedback from a car, a bit more soul. I was expecting the idiosyncrasies of the car to give it chutzpa, like my Jetta TDI, but it was not the case. I can't fault the car for what it is trying to be; a simple point A to point B mode of transportation, but I want some adventure, something to let me know I'm living. Alas, it was like a person you meet and although they are great, you just find you have nothing in common with them. But hey, that's just me. If I had to break up with the car, I'd say, "It's not you, it's me."
May 7, 2015Not as quick as a Prius with 15" wheels but ample power to accelerate onto highways. Zero rattles. Stellar appearance. Cost of ownership is very low. The car handles incredible. Excellent and super fun to drive on twisty roads. Not a race car but enough acceleration to have fun yet get around 50 mpg.
May 26, 2012Good family car with a ton of space… We're averaging about 44 mpg… We picked the car up for about 2K under MSRP… I'm 6'1 tall and it's a lot more room than our old Prius… Mileage in town is outstanding.
January 14, 2012Trims & specs
Base MSRP $25,565 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 134 hp I4 Hybrid | Cargo Capacity 21.6 cu ft |
Combined MPG 50 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $29,805 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 134 hp I4 Hybrid | Cargo Capacity 21.6 cu ft |
Combined MPG 50 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $24,000 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 134 hp I4 Hybrid | Cargo Capacity 21.6 cu ft |
Combined MPG 50 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $23,015 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 134 hp I4 Hybrid | Cargo Capacity 21.6 cu ft |
Combined MPG 50 | Drivetrain FWD |
Base MSRP $28,235 | Seating 5 |
Engine 1.8L 134 hp I4 Hybrid | Cargo Capacity 21.6 cu ft |
Combined MPG 50 | Drivetrain FWD |
Pricing trends
MSRP range
$23,015 - $29,805
Current avg. market price
$8,988
Trending up by 0.2% this month
May 2026 - November 2026
