Is the New 2023 Toyota Prius as Reliable as Previous Generations?
The 2023 Toyota Prius is getting rave reviews, but with all major updates comes risk. Longevity estimates for the vaunted Toyota Tundra took a hit with its new generation but does the new Prius hybrid car suffer the same fate? It’s early, but it seems as though in 2023, Toyota Prius reliability is as strong as its ever been.
The last Toyota Prius was a reliability powerhouse
No matter which dataset you look for, the Toyota Prius sat near the top of the standings. From iSeeCars to J.D. Power, Edmunds, and more, the Prius hybrid has a longstanding reputation for reliability. Per iSeeCars data, it is the leading car for overall potential lifespan at 250,601 miles. That puts it first for both hybrid cars and gas-powered cars, and sixth on the overall chart behind five SUVs. But all of those figures are based on previous models, so will the updates change that? Probably not.
Meanwhile, J.D. Power rates all Prius models from 2015 to now at 74 or above, save for 2020. And from 2014-2018, the Toyota Hybrid earned over 80 points on J.D. Power’s 100-point score.
Is the 2023 Toyota Prius reliable?
The 2023 Toyota Prius has a completely new powertrain. We’ve covered it here before, but in case you missed it, here are some of the basics:
| Model | Engine | Horsepower | MPG |
| 2023 Toyota Prius | 2.0L 4cyl Hybrid | FWD:194 hp AWD:196 hp | FWD: 57 city/56 hwyAWD: 49 city/ 50 hwy |
| 2023 Toyota Prius Prime | 2.0L 4 Cyl Plug-in Hybrid | FWD: 220 hp | 53 city/51 hwy/127 MPGe combined44mi EV Range |
Those numbers are all significant improvements over the prior Prius lineup, which has even the most ardent Prius haters (myself included) excited for the new model.
That said, another Toyota product underwent a similar powertrain upgrade, and its reliability ratings took a hit. The new twin-turbo V6 in the Toyota Tundra is both more powerful and more efficient. However, it’s an unknown quantity and much more complex than the outgoing V8, which hinders reliability estimates. The Prius doesn’t have that problem.
What kind of engine is in a Prius?
Both the 2023 Toyota Prius and Prius Prime use two different engines. We’ll start with the standard Prius, which uses a Toyota 2ZR-FXE engine. That’s the same setup as the previous Prius, so the reliability is already baked into the formula.
Rather than scrapping the entire setup and starting anew, Toyota opted to tweak the former engine for more punch. By swapping the 1.8-liter version for the 2.0-liter variant, there is already more power to go around. Furthermore, the engine management system in the larger variant allows it to get 150 horsepower from the gasoline engine alone. That’s 54 more than the previous generation Prius, which already makes this a big upgrade.
Furthermore, the Japanese engineers swapped in a larger electromagnetic plate and two additional magnets to improve the electric motor’s output. Critically, there are no major changes, no turbocharging, and no new engine components to hinder reliability. In addition, the new planetary CVT isn’t really new at all – it’s just a new component for the Prius.
Perhaps more notable is the fact that all of these components are used in other Toyota products already. The 2.0-liter engine sits under the hood of the Corolla Cross and Corolla, both of which are lauded for their reliability.
Meanwhile, the plug-in hybrid powertrain in the new Prius Prime is the M20A-FXS and the same electric motor as the standard Prius. And much like its cousin, the Prius Prime gets its reliable engine from existing Toyota products as well. The 2020 Corolla Hybrid and CH-R Hybrid, as well as the 2019 Camry and RAV4 all use engines from the same family.
The 2023 Toyota Prius is still a reliable choice
While the power improvements are stark, what’s underneath the 2023 Toyota Prius remains as reliable as ever. But by ditching the previous powertrain for those from more exciting products, Prius owners can now have their cake and eat it, too.
