Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons Photo: Jakub "Flyz1" Maciejewski, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Verdict
1.8 hybrid saloon with 122 hp combined, 5 Euro NCAP stars in 2016. Feedback on the mechanics is generally good, but the car was the subject of a worldwide recall for a risk of short circuit in the engine wiring harness (built from June 2015 to May 2018): check that it has been dealt with. L'argus also reports a risk of overheating linked to the cylinder head gasket on Prius 4s built up to November 2021.
- Reliability
- not rated
- Indicative prices
- €13,700 – €18,500
- Monthly cost
- €382
- Euro NCAP
- 5/5
Which version to choose
Versions to favour: Hybride 122.
Hybride 122
✓ RecommendedHybrid · Automatic · 122 hp · 4.2 L/100 km · 94 g CO₂/km · Crit'Air 1
1.8 petrol combined with two electric motors, 122 hp combined, automatic transmission. The current version.
Engine: Toyota 1.8 hybrid (2ZR-FXE)
Verdict on this engine: Buy with care
Rechargeable 122
Hybrid · Automatic · 122 hp · Crit'Air 1
Plug-in hybrid Prius: 122 hp combined and an 8.8 kWh battery (compared with 4.4 kWh on the previous generation's version), rechargeable from a socket.
Market prices
€13,700 – €18,500
Indicative range: 2017 to 2018, yearly medians of 13 online listings collected by iAutos (years with at least 3 listings).
Collected on 20 October 2026 from the sources below. Our own survey of listings, by year and mileage, will refine it.
Known faults
Worldwide recall: risk of short circuit in the engine wiring harness
Manufacturer recallIn 2018, Toyota recalled around one million hybrid vehicles (Prius, plug-in Prius and C-HR) built between June 2015 and May 2018, including more than 32,000 in France, for a fault in the engine wiring harness: wear of the insulating sheath can cause a short circuit and, in an extreme case, the start of a fire. The workshop repair consists of checking the harness, then reconditioning or replacing it, at no cost to the customer.
Fixed free of charge by a dealer and not counted in the reliability score: ask for proof the work was done (invoice, or a VIN check at a dealer).
- Versions
- Hybride 122, Rechargeable 122
- Onset
- not documented
- Repair
- not documented
Manufacturer recalls
See the official list on RappelConso (new tab) (French government recall site: category “Automobiles et moyens de déplacement”, search “Toyota Prius”). A dealer for the brand can also check, using the vehicle identification number (VIN), that recalls have been carried out.
Real monthly cost
Fuel, insurance, maintenance and depreciation, excluding finance. Move the slider to match your mileage. How it is calculated
| Fuel or electricity | €103 |
|---|---|
| Insurance | €57 |
| Maintenance | €37 |
| Depreciation | €185 |
| Total per month | €382 |
⚠ Estimates to treat with caution
- NEDC consumption (older, more optimistic than WLTP) as no WLTP figure is published: fuel is probably slightly underestimated.
- Maintenance: published servicing price plus an estimated allowance for tyres and brakes.
- Depreciation estimated at 12% of the median price a year, as no year-by-year valuation is usable.
Calculation details (12,000 km a year)
- Fuel (petrol)€103
Hybride 122 version: combined consumption of 4.2 L/100 km, increased by 15% for real-world driving, at 2.14 €/L, for 1,000 km a month.
4.2 × 1.15 × 2.14 € × 10 = €103
Petrol price (SP95-E10): French national average on 7 October 2026.
- Insurance€57
Average monthly premium published for this model by insurance comparison sites (comprehensive cover when stated). Your premium depends on your profile.
- Maintenance€37
Servicing and wear parts (tyres, brakes) for 12,000 km a year, per month.
- Depreciation€185
Value lost in a year by a typical example, from the valuation gap between two years, per month.
Inspection checklist
Toyota Prius IV — inspection checklist
Things to check
- Have a Toyota dealer check, using the serial number, that the engine wiring harness recall has been carried out (cars built from June 2015 to May 2018).
- Check the coolant level and the absence of white smoke or overheating (a point to watch on the cylinder head gasket of Prius 4s built up to November 2021).
- Take a test drive of several kilometres: the hybrid system should start without hesitation and the transmission should work without jerking.
- Plug-in: ask for the battery condition report and check the charging cable supplied.
- Check the service book and the invoices.
Questions to ask the seller
- Has the engine wiring harness recall been carried out? Do you have proof of the work?
- Has the coolant level already had to be topped up?
- Has the servicing been followed at Toyota, with all the invoices?
Test-drive tip: read the fault codes
A warning light that is off proves nothing: a fault may have been cleared just before the viewing. A Bluetooth OBD2 scanner, plugged in under the steering wheel and read on your phone, shows stored codes and whether all emissions readiness tests have run since the last reset.
Electric or hybrid equivalent
No direct electric or hybrid equivalent in our guides. Simulate combustion vs electric cost
Alternatives
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota Corolla
XII · since 2019
- Price
- €18,000 – €29,900
- Reliability
- 5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid
Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyota C-HR
I · 2016–2023
- Price
- €15,600 – €23,900
- Reliability
- 4.5/5
- Fuel types
- Hybrid, Petrol
Photo: Herranderssvensson, CC BY-SA 3.0
Renault Mégane
IV · 2016–2023
- Price
- €9,500 – €23,900
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0
Volkswagen Golf
VIII · since 2020
- Price
- €18,800 – €31,100
- Reliability
- 3.5/5
- Fuel types
- Petrol, Diesel, Hybrid
Before you buy: check and equip
Check the history
Before paying, check the administrative status (lien, objection, declared claims) and the mileage recorded at the roadworthiness test.
Read fault codes
An OBD scanner plugged in under the steering wheel shows stored fault codes, even with warning lights off: useful during the test drive.
Parts and maintenance
Compare prices of parts for the Toyota Prius IV (timing, brakes, filters) to estimate the repairs to plan for.
Insure the car
Insurance prices vary widely from one model to another: get a quote before signing.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Toyota Prius 4 safe?
It scored 5 stars in the Euro NCAP crash test in April 2016, with 92% for adult occupant protection.
What is the boot capacity of the Prius 4?
343 litres up to the parcel shelf according to French technical spec sheets; Toyota announces 502 litres, measured up to the roof (HybridLife, Prius Touring Club).
Has the Prius 4 been recalled?
Yes: in 2018, Toyota recalled hybrids built from June 2015 to May 2018 for a risk of short circuit in the engine wiring harness, including more than 32,000 in France. Check that it has been dealt with.
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