2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid

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$23,215 - $34,905
Starting Price 
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Nathan Dyer 

Senior Editor,

Updated on November 3, 2023

ProsConsWhat's New

Smooth ride quality

Interior quality

New Persona Series trim added

Huge cargo space

Cabin noise

Rear-view camera is now standard

Excellent fuel economy

Unimpressive acceleration

Spacious interiors

Numb handling

Specs & Features

$23,215

price

134 hp @ 5200 rpm

horsepower

105 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

torque

Continuously Variable-Speed Automatic

transmission

1.8L 4cyl FWD CVT

engine

-

basic warranty

Overview

The 2015 Toyota Prius is a synonym for the word ‘hybrid'. It's impossible to think of hybrid cars without thinking of the Prius. The Prius is, among the hybrid cars, the most opted choice thanks to its excellent economy, reliability, and decent interiors. The car has loads of standard features and has a lot of options to customize the car as well.

Buying Advice

We recommended the top-end Five trim of the Toyota Prius. It’s better equipped and has more usable and practical features. Most importantly, the Advanced Technology Package, which includes most of the advanced safety features is a must, and it’s only on the Five trim. Hence, that’s the car to go for.

Comparative Analysis against Competition

That said, the Prius isn’t the newest and most loaded option on the market anymore. The car does feature decent interiors, but it is somewhat subpar and rivals offer better quality. The Prius lacks performance, but many who buy a hybrid hatchback don’t really look for that. The Prius rivals the Honda CR-Z and the Ford C-Max. The C-Max is refined, whereas the Honda is a well-balanced two-seater. 

Features
8.0/10

The 2015 Toyota Prius is available in five trim levels: One, Two, Persona Series, Four, and Five. Pricing for the trims starts at $24,200 for the base trim and goes up to $30,005 for the top trim. Standard features on all trims include 15-inch alloy wheels, heated power mirror, power accessories, cruise control, rearview camera, tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel, height-adjustable driver seat, 60/40 split-folding rear seat, Bluetooth connectivity, and a 6.1-inch touchscreen.

Trim

Two

Three

Persona Series

Four

Five

MSRP 

$24,200

$25,765

$26,985

$28,435

$30,005

Key Features

15-inch alloy wheels

Adds/Replaces features from the One trim

Adds/Replaces features from the Three trim

Adds/Replaces features from the Persona Series trim

Adds/Replaces features from the Four trim

 

Cloth Upholstery

Keyless entry system

17-inch alloy wheels

Automatic headlamps

17-inch alloy wheels

 

Tilt-and-Telescopic Steering wheel

Toyota EnTune system

Chrome trim

Heated front seats

Fog lights

 

Cruise Control

Voice controls

Footwell illumination

8-way power driver seat

LED headlights

 

Keyless ignition

Navigation system

Leatherette upholstery

Auto-dimming rearview mirror

 

The 2015 Toyota Prius comes with a ton of optional packages, which are trim-specific. These packages are the Solar Roof Package, the Advanced Technology Package, the Plus Appearance Package, and the Plus Performance Package.

We Recommend

We recommended the top-end Five trim of the Toyota Prius. It’s better equipped and has more usable and practical features. Most importantly, the Advanced Technology Package, which includes most of the advanced safety features is a must, and it’s only on the Five trim. Hence, that’s the car to go for.

Engine and Performance
5.0/10

The 2015 Toyota Prius is powered by a 1.8L I-4 engine combined with a pair of electric motors. All this setup is collectively known as the Toyota Hybrid Synergy Drive. And together it outputs 134 horsepower and 105 lb-ft of torque. The power is transferred through a CVT gearbox. The car also uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery pack.

The car’s handling and steering are not impressive at all. First of all, the performance is slow, and the gear shifts are delayed. The steering is numb, the handling is unresponsive, and does not inspire confidence. However, the ride quality is smooth and composed. The suspension has been tuned to the right setup and works well over most obstacles. The 2015 Toyota Prius has a 0-60 mph time of 10 seconds, with a quarter-mile time of 17.4 seconds. The top speed is rated at 103 mph.

Model

2015 Toyota Prius

2015 Ford C-Max

2015 Honda CR-Z

MSRP

$24,200

$24,170

$24,140

Engine

1.8L I-4

2.0L I-4

1.5L I-4

Drivetrain

FWD

FWD

FWD

Transmission

CVT

CVT

CVT

Power

134 hp @ 5200 rpm

188 hp @ 6000 rpm

130 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

105 lb.-ft @ 4000 rpm

129 lb.-ft @ 4000 rpm

127 lb.-ft @ 1000 rpm

0-60 MPH (seconds)

10

8.1

7.8

Quarter mile (mph)

17.4

16.2

16.1

Top speed (mph)

103

110

115

The Honda CR-Z is the quickest with its 7.8 seconds to the 0-60 mph mark. The Ford comes in second, with a 0-60 mph time of 8.1 seconds. In terms of quarter-mile as well, the result is the same. The Honda gets the smallest engine, makes the least power but the torque kicks in as early in the rpm ranges at 1000 rpm. All three cars are similarly priced.

Fuel Economy
9.9/10

The 2015 Toyota Pruis with the CVT returns 51 mpg in the city and 48 mpg on the highway, with a combined efficiency of 50 mpg. This is probably one of the best efficiencies among hybrid cars in the market today. The Prius has a tank capacity of 11.9 gallons, which gives it a decent range of 595 miles combined.

Model

2015 Toyota Prius

2015 Ford C-Max

2015 Honda CR-Z

MPG (city)

51

42

36

MPG (Highway)

48

37

39

MPG (Combined)

50

39

37

Fuel Capacity (gallons)

11.9

13.5

10.6

Range (City/Hwy) (miles)

606.9/571.2

567/499.5

381.6/413.4

The 2015 Toyota Prius has the best numbers among the three, followed by the C-Max at 39 mpg combined. The Honda is the least efficient with its 37 mpg combined efficiency, which goes down to 36 mpg in the city. These are great returns, to be frank, but can be better for a hybrid. The 2015 Prius offers the most range at 607 city miles and 572 highway miles. The other two cars are nearly 100 miles behind thanks to the lower fuel economies

Interior
8.0/10

The 2015 Toyota Prius’s interior is spacious and well-laid out. The controls and knobs are driver-focused. The layout is simple but lacks finish. There is lots of hard plastic used in the cabin, something that sticks out in the otherwise decent interior. The ‘floating console’ with the underneath storage tray is elegant. The instrument panel is digital and has a floating plane that displays trip computer, audio, and temperature. All in all, the interior as well as the material quality can see some improvements.

The seats in the car are spacious and offer loads of comfort. The front driver seat is height-adjustable, and there’s decent headroom for that. The cushioning on the base seems thin, making long trips slightly uncomfortable. At the rear, the seats are large, with excellent wide doors and huge legroom that makes this one of the biggest cabin spaces in the class. Combined with the wide windows, it offers a great view of the outside, albeit with the blind spots at the rear pillars.

Model

2015 Toyota Prius

2015 Ford C-Max

2015 Honda CR-Z

Seating Capacity

5

5

2

Front Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

38.6/54.9/42.5

41/55.9/43.1

36.9/53.8/42.7

Second Row (Head/Shoulder/Leg) (in)

37.6/53.1/36

39.4/55.2/36.5

N/A

Cargo Capacity (cu-ft)

21.6

24.5

25.1

The Prius and the C-Max both seat 5 people, whereas the Honda seats 2 people. The 2015 Ford C-Max’s front row is roomier than both the other cars. In the rear, dimensionally the C-Max is slightly larger again but the Prius’s rear is more welcoming and comfortable. In terms of cargo capacity, the Toyota Prius offers a decent standard space of 21.6 cu-ft, which is excellent in terms of a hatchback. The C-Max and the CR-Z offer more. 24.5 and 25.1 cu.-ft, to be precise. 

Some interior features available with the 2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid include:

  • Height adjustable driver seat
  • Keyless entry and ignition
  • Cruise control
  • Cloth Upholstery
  • Automatic climate control
  • Tilt-and-Telescopic Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the 2015 Toyota Prius’s infotainment unit?

The 2015 Toyota Prius’s infotainment system is designed well and is easy to use and handle. The menu is well laid out, and the user interface does not appear cluttered. Standard features on the infotainment unit include a trip computer, 6.1-inch touchscreen, Bluetooth phone, and audio connectivity, an auxiliary audio jack, iPod/USB connectivity, and a 6-speaker sound system with a CD player. Higher trims get voice controls, navigation, satellite and HD radio, Toyota’s EnTune system, and some mobile applications. The top trim gets an 8-speaker JBL sound system. Salient infotainment features include:

  • Toyota EnTune 
  • CD player
  • iPod/USB integration
  • 6.1-inch touchscreen
  • Auxiliary audio jack
  • 6-speaker/ 8-speaker JBL sound system

Exterior
6.0/10

The 2015 Toyota Prius’s exterior is instantly recognizable anywhere as it’s among the most sold cars in the States. The design language is either appealing or not. The car carries over from the 2014 model unchanged. The wedge-shaped exterior design, with the high tail and the flat rear with the secondary window, are the traits of a Prius. At the front, the car gets triangular headlamps that also get LED running lights. 

The nose is low and curved outwards, giving it a slightly sporty look. The grille is shaped like an inverted pyramid and is one of the tiniest grilles. Along the side, the distinctive shape of the Prius with its small wheels is quite attractive. A shoulder line travels from the front bumper to the rear tail light. The front door handle is placed slightly lower than the rear door handle. At the rear, it’s simple, with vertical taillights.

Model

2015 Toyota Prius

2015 Ford C-Max

2015 Honda CR-Z

Curb Weight (lbs)

3072

3607

2717

Length (in.)

176.4

173.6

160.5

Width (in.)

68.7

72

68.5

Height (in.)

58.7

63.9

54.9

Ground Clearance (in.)

5.3

5.5

N/A

Wheelbase (in.)

106.3

104.3

95.9

When compared to the rivals, the CR-Z is the shortest. The CR-Z is the lightest at 2717 lbs. It has a tight wheelbase of 95.9 inches. The C-Max has the most width of 72 inches and the most height of 63.9 inches. The Prius is the longest, at 176.4 inches, and also has the longest wheelbase at 106.3 inches. The Prius has a ground clearance of 5.3 inches. Few major exterior features include-

  • 15-inch/17-inch alloy wheels
  • Sunroof
  • Automatic headlamps
  • Aerodynamic body kit
  • Sport-tuned suspension
  • Heated power mirrors

Safety
9.0/10

The 2015 Toyota Prius received 4 stars from the NHTSA and a rating of ‘Good’ from the IIHS. The car boasts of high-reliability standards. Standard safety features on the Prius include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, airbags, and a rearview camera. Optional on the Prius Four trim and the Prius Five trim is Toyota's Safety Connect emergency communications system. The Prius Five trim also gets the Advanced Technology package. Safety features include:

  • Ventilated front disc and solid rear disc brakes
  • Emergency Braking Assist
  • 4-Wheel ABS
  • Tire pressure monitoring system
  • Traction control
  • Engine immobilizer 
  • Front and rear head airbags

Final Verdict

The 2015 Toyota Prius is the best small car/hatchback choice if you’re on a tight budget and desire an economical engine. There is a compromise on performance, and in terms of handling as well, but it’s manageable. The Prius interiors are spacious but lack the finish and quality seen on other models. Even the base trim comes with great features that are focused on practicality and usability. If you can spend some money, we’d recommend the Honda Accord hybrid or the Ford Fusion.

Trims

    One
    $23,215 onwards
    • 1St row LCD monitor
    • AM/FM stereo
    • Automatic Front air conditioning
    • Cloth Seat trim
    • Remote anti-theft alarm system
    Two
    $24,200 onwards
    • 16-inch aluminum alloy wheels
    • Premium cloth Seat trim
    Three
    $25,765 onwards
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Navigation system
    Persona Series Special Edition
    $26,985 onwards
    • 17-inch painted aluminum Wheels
    • Softex leatherette Seat trim
    Four
    $28,435 onwards
    • 15-inch aluminum Wheels
    • Driver Lumbar support
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    • Softex leatherette Seat trim
    Base
    $29,990 onwards
    • Engine: 1.8L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 134 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 105 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 10.5 sec
    • Top Speed: 105 mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 50 mpg
    Five
    $30,005 onwards
    • 17-inch silver painted aluminum wheels
    • Front Fog/driving lights
    Advanced
    $34,905 onwards
    • Engine: 1.8L 4cyl FWD CVT
    • Horsepower: 134 hp @ 5200 rpm hp
    • Torque: 105 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm
    • 0-60 mph: 10.5 sec
    • Top Speed: TBD mph
    • Fuel Economy Combined: 50 mpg

Compare to similar cars

Price

$20,145- $24,140

Engine

hybrid

Rating

7.4

Horsepower

130 hp @ 6000 rpm

Torque

140 lb.-ft. @ 1000 rpm

Capacity

2

Read Review

$32,200

hybrid

7.96

134 hp @ 5200 rpm

142 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm

5

Read Review

2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's 0-60

    Car Name
    0-60 MPH
    Quarter Mile
    Top Speed
    SourceCompare
    9.7 sec17.3 sec-
    9.1 sec16.7 sec120 mph
    9.8 sec17.8 sec105 mph

    2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's MPG

      Car Name
      MPG City
      MPG Highway
      MPG Combined
      Fuel Tank Capacity
      Range (C/H)
      SourceCompare
      51 mpg48 mpg50 mpg11.9 gal.606.9/571.2 mi.
      43 mpg40 mpg42 mpg11.9 gal.511.7/476 mi.
      31 mpg38 mpg34 mpg10.6 gal.328.6/402.8 mi.

      2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's dimensions

        Car Name
        Length
        Width
        Height
        Ground Clearance
        Wheelbase
        SourceCompare
        176.4 in.68.7 in.58.7 in.5.3 in.106.3 in.
        171.2 in.69.5 in.57.3 in.5.7 in.102.4 in.
        160.5 in.68.5 in.54.9 in.5.6 in.95.9 in.

        2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's trunk space

          Car Name
          Trunk Capacity
          Passenger Volume
          Max Trunk Volume
          SourceCompare
          21.6 cu.ft.93.7 cu.ft.39.6 cu.ft.
          25.1 cu.ft.49.1 cu.ft.25.1 cu.ft.
          14.3 cu.ft.86.1 cu.ft.-

          2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's cargo space

            Car Name
            Cargo Volume
            Cargo Volume w/ Seat Area
            Max Cargo Volume
            SourceCompare
            39.6 cu.ft.21.6 cu.ft.39.6 cu.ft.
            -14.3 cu.ft.-
            5.4 cu.ft.25.1 cu.ft.25.1 cu.ft.

            2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid vs competitor's towing capacity

              Car Name
              Payload Capacity
              Weight
              SourceCompare
              825 lbs.3042 lbs.
              935 lbs.3130 lbs.
              -2639 lbs.

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              2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid User Reviews

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              2015 Toyota Prius Hybrid

              Advanced 5dr Hatchback (1.8L 4cyl gas/electric hybrid CVT)

              Not Rated

              User Overall Rating

              Posted On: June 19, 2024

              Gas mileage has added up.

              Pros - ["gas mileage", "interior smooth design"]

              Cons - ["tiny bugs can get in", "tires are too small."]

              Driving a hybrid automobile has been a long term money saving advantage. Anybody who can appreciate that should certainly consider the Toyota Prius. Acquired from a dealership in Delaware, 2015. The persona series has held up very well for what is almost now a decade. To tally up the amount saved at the pump would be somewhere around $10,000 at this point. For most of the populace, that is a subs...

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