The Toyota Prius has been the quintessential green car for over a decade. The Prius’s “Prime” version, the company’s brand name for plug-in hybrids, raises the bar even higher for efficiency and reduced emissions. The plug-in variant of the classic liftback model is equipped with an 8.8 kilowatt-hour battery pack that provides 25 miles of all-electric range.

In previous years, the plug-in Prius had room for four passengers. But starting with the 2020 model, Toyota has expanded the second row to make the Prius Prime a five-passenger vehicle. The hatchback now offers 19.8 cubic feet of cargo space, which gives it more utility than many mid-size sedans. The Prius Prime has sharper angles and a tapered front end to provide the family-friendly car a slightly sporty feel to go with its stellar efficiency.

The Prius Prime can travel about 25 miles before using any gasoline. The 2020 model’s powertrain allows highway driving of up to 84 miles per hour before the engine is used. So, for many commuters—especially those who can plug-in during the day—the Prius Prime will remain in all-electric mode for the lion’s share of daily driving. For those all-electric miles, the Prius Prime is rated at the equivalent of 133 miles per gallon.

But the Prius Prime really stands out as an efficient car after those first 25 EV miles. After the plug-in power is depleted, the Prius Prime works like a conventional hybrid that mixes power from its gas engine and electric motor. At that stage, the Prius Prime is rated at an impressive 54 miles per gallon.

It’s quick and easy to charge the Prius Prime, which is equipped with a 3.3 kW onboard charger. Using a conventional household 120-volt outlet, you can fully recharge the Prius Prime in about 5.5 hours. With a highly recommended Level 2, 240-volt charging station, the complete charging time is cut down to about two hours. This enables quick fill-ups throughout the day, maximizing EV miles. The Prius Prime does not support DC fast charging.

Toyota continues to expand the all-electric range of its plug-in hybrids. The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Prime offers 42 miles of all-electric range.