I’m a big fan of electric vehicles, but am wide-eyed about their advantages and demerits. On the plus side is effortless acceleration and easy recharging at home. I have a home charger, which makes them very convenient. Negatives include high price, limited range, and potential difficulty of charging when away. Especially with the demise of the $7,500 federal EV tax credit in September, I might not buy a pure EV when the 2026 Toyota Prius Plug-in Nightshade is available.
While the Prius is known for its sloped nose and high hatch profile, this one looks like its father had lustful relations with a Lamborghini. It’s a beautiful thing flaunting voluptuous fenders, “hammerhead” wings across the headlamps and character lines that twist lower sills before rising into sculptural bodysides. Sharp creates add tension to rear fenders too. A fixed glass roof and wide taillamps with drawn corners draw interest. Tesla, eat your heart out!
It’s especially fetching with our car’s Nightshade package that includes black 19-inch wheels, shark fin, badges, door handles, bumper trim and mirrors. Paint mine Karashi Gold.
Two of my favorite EVs are the redesigned 2026 Subaru Solterra and upcoming Subaru Uncharted, also known as Toyotas bZ and C-HR respectively. Fortunately, much of that EV feel is shared with the Prius.
Flatscreen gauges are set far back beneath the windshield and a new 12.3-inch infotainment screen is super intuitive, but a high console with flick-wrist gear selector and phone charging slot lends a sportier feel. The carbon fiber dash detail is an interesting touch. You do kind of plop down when entering, though. Sof-Tex vegan leather seats are both comfortable and easy to wipe clean, but are heated in the front. I’d worship the heated steering wheel when winter comes. I’d like a head-up display, too, but the recessed gauge cluster is a close second.
Being a Toyota, safety was vital. Adaptive cruise, automatic emergency braking, blind spot intervention, and rear cross traffic alert with auto brake protect from all directions. Safe Exit Assist even prevents passengers –kids and distracted adults – from stepping into traffic.
Here’s the part I like the most, however. Plug in and charge for 40 miles of electric range – plenty to drop kids at school, commute to work and run errands on the weekend for most of us. Drink some electricity at a work or commercial charger and you can probably drive twice that during a given day. It’s essentially an EV.
Yet, if you decide to drive from, say, New York to California on a whim, the Prius plug-in is ready. Just fill up with gas along the way and enjoy 48-MPG (114-MPGe full cycle).
But that’s the boring part because the Prius plug-in is also a pretty hot hatch from behind the wheel: 0-60 in 6.6 seconds. That would have nipped the bumper of an early C4 Corvette. With weight low in the chassis, quick steering, and multi-link rear suspension, it could hold its own through the twisties too. Steering is a bit digital, but it’s a fun drive no matter the road. Just imagine a GR version! That could be even more fun.
Perhaps best off all, the Toyota Prius is a pretty good bargain. Regular hybrids that achieve 57-MPG start at $28,550. Plug-ins rise from $33,775 to our car’s $41,304. Given the overall everything of the Prius Plug-in, it should only delight you more the longer you own it. If you want something a little larger, check out the redesigned 2026 Toyota RAV4 plug-in crossover.
Storm Forward!
Send comments to Casey at AutoCasey@aol.com; follow him on YouTube @AutoCasey.