Toyota's sporty Prius shines on the inside as well

Mark Glover’s AutoGlo car reviews can be seen here and in the Cruisin’ News, "Oregon, Nevada and California's classic auto news & marketplace."

Sacramento, California -- The transformation of the Toyota Prius from boxy runabout to head-turning sports car wowed me so much that I frankly overlooked the advancements inside the car during an initial test.

So I spent more time concentrating on the interior perks during a recent week in the 2026 Toyota Prius Nightshade Plug-In Hybrid.

I was only partly successful.  I mean those smooth lines and sporty sculpting do so much to turn your attention away ...

Where was I?  Oh yeah, inside the machine.

My tester weighed in at $41,304 on the sticker, an entirely fair price given the plug-in hybrid technology and all the perks.  And the perks were plentiful.

I liked the 7-inch digital gauge cluster, the instantly responsive cross-traffic alert, the front/rear parking assist and the carbon fiber detail on the dashboard.  This being a Nightshade model, black badges, black trim and 19-inch alloy wheels with a black finish contributed an edgy look to the package -- edgy in a good way.

Options included a glass roof feature.

What more could a save-the-planet devotee with a love of sports cars want?

How about a 114 miles per gallon equivalent in combined city/highway driving, a rating based on combined electricity and gasoline usage?  The number is still impressive with gasoline only: 48 miles per gallon.

And yes, you can get your sporty on with combined net horsepower of 220. My tester scooted sharply off the line and was a responsive, agile dancer in dicey freeway traffic.

For a motor vehicle that was a long-ago pioneer in hybrid technology, this current Prius plug-in still ranks as state of the art in the segment. With good looks and plentiful customer-pleasing features thrown in.