Toyota Prius: generations compared: what actually changed
All four: Hybrid, 1497 cm³, 4 Inline, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 13, 75 × 84.7, Automatic 1, FWD, 0–100 10.9 s, top 170 km/h, tank 45 l, gross 1725 kg, clearance 145 mm, rear Drum, wheels not measured, CO2 and eco class not measured.
1 generation (Sedan, 1997-10-01 to 2000-04-30) is the lightest Prius measured here: `1.5 AT` at 1240 kg kerb, 1515 kg gross, 140 mm clearance, 50 l tank. Power is 58 hp / 43 kW at 4000 rpm, 102 Nm at 4000 rpm, 1497 cm³ Hybrid, 4 Inline, 4 valves per cylinder, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 13.5, bore/stroke 75 × 84.7, fuel 95, Automatic 1, FWD. 0–100 is not measured. Top speed is not measured. City/highway/combined consumption not measured. CO2 and eco class not measured. Wheels not measured. Specific output: 58 / 1.497 ≈ 38.7 hp per litre. Mass per horsepower: 1240 / 58 ≈ 21.4 kg/hp — the heaviest load per horse in the whole file.
1 generation, restyling (Sedan, 2000-05-01 to 2003-08-31) keeps the same `1.5 AT` name and 1497 cm³ Hybrid layout but raises output to 72 hp / 53 kW at 4500 rpm and 115 Nm at 4200 rpm. That is +14 hp and +13 Nm versus the pre-restyle `1.5 AT`. Compression drops from 13.5 to 13. Kerb weight is 1250 kg (+10 kg); gross 1645 kg (+130 kg). 0–100 is now 13.4 s; top speed 160 km/h. Consumption: city 5.9, highway 4.6, combined 5.1 l/100 km; CO2 120 g/km; eco class not measured. Specific output ≈ 48.1 hp/l; 1250 / 72 ≈ 17.4 kg/hp. You buy 14 hp and a measured 13.4 s sprint for 10 kg extra kerb mass and 5 litres the same tank (50 l). Rear brakes remain Drum; front Ventilated disc.
2 generation (Liftback, 2003-09-01 to 2005-10-31) is one `1.5 AT` at 110 hp / 80 kW at 5000 rpm and 478 Nm at 4000 rpm. Versus the restyled first-generation `1.5 AT` (72 hp, 115 Nm), that is +38 hp and +363 Nm on the same 1497 cm³, same 95 fuel, same Automatic 1 FWD. 0–100 10.9 s (2.5 s faster than 13.4 s). Top speed 170 km/h (+10). Combined 4.3 vs 5.1 (−0.8 l/100 km). Kerb 1270 kg (+20 vs 1250). Clearance 145 mm (+5 vs 140). Tank 45 l (−5). Front brakes labelled Disc; rear Drum. Specific output ≈ 73.5 hp/l; 1270 / 110 ≈ 11.5 kg/hp.
2 generation, restyling (Liftback, 2005-11-01 to 2010-01-31) lists four versions, all named `1.5 AT`. Distinguish them by power:
| Version | hp / kW | Nm | Fuel | Combined l/100 km | Kerb kg |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| `1.5 AT` 76 hp (56 kW) | 76 / 56 | 110 | 92 | not measured | 1260 |
| `1.5 AT` 76 hp (55 kW) | 76 / 55 | 110 | 95 | 4.3 | 1270 |
| `1.5 AT` 77 hp | 77 / 57 | 115 | 95 | 4.3 | 1270 |
| `1.5 AT` 113 hp | 113 / 80 | 478 | 95 | 4.3 | 1270 |
All four: Hybrid, 1497 cm³, 4 Inline, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 13, 75 × 84.7, Automatic 1, FWD, 0–100 10.9 s, top 170 km/h, tank 45 l, gross 1725 kg, clearance 145 mm, rear Drum, wheels not measured, CO2 and eco class not measured. The 76 hp / 56 kW car is the only Prius in the file specified on fuel 92; it is also 10 kg lighter (1260 vs 1270) than its 76 hp / 55 kW sibling. The 77 hp row adds 1 hp and 5 Nm over the 76 hp / 55 kW row at identical mass and consumption. The 113 hp / 478 Nm row is the restyle’s high-output twin of the pre-restyle 110 hp / 478 Nm car: +3 hp, same torque, same 10.9 s and 170 km/h. 113 / 1.497 ≈ 75.5 hp/l; 1270 / 113 ≈ 11.2 kg/hp. If you want this body and measured economy, the 76 hp (55 kW), 77 hp, and 113 hp cars share 4.3 combined; the 113 hp car is the only one that also carries the 478 Nm figure.
3 generation (Liftback, 2009-01-01 to 2012-01-31) and 3 generation, restyling (2012-01-01 to 2015-05-31) are, in this file, the same `1.8 AT` twice: 136 hp / 100 kW at 5200 rpm, 144 Nm at 4000 rpm, 1798 cm³ Hybrid, 4 Inline, boost No, Front, transverse, Distributed injection (multi-point), compression 13, 80.5 × 88.3, fuel 95, Automatic 1, FWD, 0–100 10.4 s, top 180 km/h, city 3.9, highway 3.7, combined 3.9, tank 45 l, CO2 89 g/km, Euro 4, kerb 1445 kg, gross 1805 kg, clearance 140 mm, wheels not measured. Rear suspension label in the data: Semi-independent, springorts hélicoïdaux, sem. Front Independent, spring; front Ventilated disc; rear Disc.
Versus the 113 hp restyled second-generation `1.5 AT`: displacement +301 cm³, power +23 hp, torque 144 vs 478 Nm (the third generation does not carry the 478 Nm figure), 0–100 0.5 s quicker (10.4 vs 10.9), top speed +10 km/h, combined 3.9 vs 4.3 (−0.4), kerb +175 kg (1445 vs 1270), clearance −5 mm (140 vs 145), tank unchanged at 45 l. Specific output 136 / 1.798 ≈ 75.6 hp/l — almost the same per litre as the 113 hp 1.5, but the car is 175 kg heavier, so mass per horse is 1445 / 136 ≈ 10.6 kg/hp (better than 11.2). The restyling does not change a measured number versus the pre-restyle third generation in this catalogue; the buying choice between those two `1.8 AT` rows is date (2009–2012 vs 2012–2015) and Euro 4, not a spec delta.
4 generation (Liftback, 2015-09-01 to 2018-10-31) is the first generation with four differently named or differently driven rows, all Hybrid 1798 cm³, 98 hp at 5200 rpm, fuel 95, Front, transverse, FWD except one AWD, tank 43 l (−2 vs gen 3), Euro 6 where measured.
- `1.8 AT` FWD: 98 hp / 72 kW, 142 Nm at 3600 rpm, 4 Inline, 4 valves, boost No, Direct injection (direct), compression 13, 80.5 × 88.3, Automatic 1, 0–100 10.6 s, top 180, city 3.1, highway 2.9, combined 3.0, CO2 70 g/km, Euro 6, kerb 1450 kg, gross 1790 kg, clearance 130 mm, wheels 195/65 R15 and 215/45 R17. Rear Independent, spring (not the third generation’s semi-independent label).
- `1.8 AT` AWD: same 98 hp / 72 kW / 142 Nm / Automatic 1, kerb 1450 kg, tank 43 l, wheels the same two sizes, clearance 135 mm (+5 vs the FWD `1.8 AT`). 0–100, top speed, consumption, CO2, eco class, and gross mass are not measured.
- `2ZR-FXE Comfort`: 98 hp, kW not measured, 145 Nm at 3600 rpm, cylinders 4, layout not measured, boost not measured, injection not measured, bore/stroke not measured, Variable gearbox, gears not measured, FWD, 0–100 5.4 s, top 180, city 3.8, highway 3.4, combined 3.7, CO2 104, Euro 6, kerb 1375 kg, gross not measured, clearance not measured, wheels not measured.
- `2ZR-FXE`: same 98 hp / 145 Nm / Variable / FWD / 1375 kg / 104 g/km / Euro 6 as Comfort, but 0–100 5.1 s (0.3 s quicker than Comfort) and combined 3.3 vs Comfort 3.7 (−0.4). City 3.4 vs 3.8; highway 3.1 vs 3.4.
Versus the third-generation `1.8 AT` 136 hp: the fourth-generation FWD `1.8 AT` is 38 hp down, 2 Nm down (142 vs 144), 0.2 s slower to 100 (10.6 vs 10.4), same 180 km/h, combined 3.0 vs 3.9 (−0.9), CO2 70 vs 89 (−19 g/km), eco class Euro 6 vs Euro 4, kerb +5 kg, clearance −10 mm (130 vs 140), tank −2 l. Specific output 98 / 1.798 ≈ 54.5 hp/l. Mass per hp: 1450 / 98 ≈ 14.8 kg/hp — worse than gen 3’s 10.6 because power fell more than mass. The `2ZR-FXE` pair recovers the argument with 1375 kg (75 kg lighter than the 1450 kg `1.8 AT`) and 5.1–5.4 s to 100: 1375 / 98 ≈ 14.0 kg/hp, still heavier per horse than gen 3, but the sprint figures are the fastest Hybrid FWD times in the file until generation 5’s Plug-in.
4 generation, restyling (Liftback, from 2018-11-01; end date not measured) uses the name `1.8` (not `1.8 AT`) twice, both 122 hp / 90 kW at 5200 rpm, 142 Nm at 3600 rpm, 1798 cm³ Hybrid, 4 Inline, 4 valves, boost not measured, Direct injection (direct), compression 13, bore/stroke labelled 88.3 x 80.5, fuel 95, Variable, gears not measured, kerb 1450 kg, gross 1790 kg, clearance 130 mm, tank 43 l, Euro 6, wheels 195/65 R15 and 215/45 R17.
- `1.8` AWD: 0–100 10.6 s, top 160 km/h, combined 4.8, city/highway not measured, CO2 109 g/km.
- `1.8` FWD: 0–100 10.8 s, top 180 km/h, combined 4.6, city/highway not measured, CO2 104 g/km.
Versus the pre-restyle FWD `1.8 AT` 98 hp: +24 hp, same 142 Nm, gearbox label Automatic → Variable, 0–100 10.8 vs 10.6 (FWD restyle is 0.2 s slower despite more hp), combined 4.6 vs 3.0 (+1.6 l/100 km), CO2 104 vs 70 (+34). Specific output 122 / 1.798 ≈ 67.9 hp/l. 1450 / 122 ≈ 11.9 kg/hp. The AWD `1.8` is the only restyle row with 160 km/h top speed; the FWD `1.8` keeps 180. AWD combined 4.8 is 0.2 higher than FWD 4.6; CO2 109 vs 104. Clearance does not rise on this AWD (130 mm), unlike the pre-restyle AWD `1.8 AT` at 135 mm.
5 generation (Liftback, from 2023-01-01; end date not measured) is the only generation with a Plug-in and the only one with boost labelled Turbo on two Hybrid rows.
- `2.0`: 225 hp / 165 kW, rpm not measured, torque not measured, 1987 cm³ Plug-in, 4 Inline, 4 valves, boost not measured, Direct injection (direct), compression not measured, 80.5 × 97.6, fuel 95, Variable, FWD, 0–100 6.7 s, top speed not measured. Consumption, tank, CO2, eco class, kerb, gross, clearance, wheels: not measured. 225 / 1.987 ≈ 113.2 hp/l — the highest specific output in the file.
- `2.0 CVT`: 196 hp / 144 kW at 5200–5600 rpm, 185 Nm at 1500–4000 rpm, 1987 cm³ Hybrid, 4 Inline, boost Turbo, Direct injection (direct), compression 14, 80.5 × 97.6, fuel 95, Variable, FWD. 0–100, top speed, consumption, tank, CO2, eco class, kerb, clearance, wheels: not measured. 196 / 1.987 ≈ 98.6 hp/l.
- `1.8 CVT`: 140 hp / 102 kW at 5200–5600 rpm, 185 Nm at 1500–4000 rpm, 1798 cm³ Hybrid, 4 Inline, boost Turbo, Direct injection (direct), compression 13, 80.5 × 88.3, fuel 95, Variable, FWD. Same “not measured” block as `2.0 CVT` for performance, economy, and mass. 140 / 1.798 ≈ 77.9 hp/l.
`2.0` vs `2.0 CVT`: +29 hp, +21 kW, engine type Plug-in vs Hybrid, torque on `2.0` not measured vs 185 Nm, compression not measured vs 14, boost not measured vs Turbo. Only `2.0` has a 0–100 figure (6.7 s). `2.0 CVT` vs `1.8 CVT`: +56 hp on +189 cm³, same 185 Nm band, compression 14 vs 13, both Turbo Hybrid Variable FWD. Versus fourth-generation `2ZR-FXE` (98 hp, 5.1 s, 1375 kg): gen-5 `2.0` is +127 hp and 1.6 s slower to 100 than that 5.1 s — the Plug-in is quicker than every 10.x-second Prius and slower than `2ZR-FXE` / `2ZR-FXE Comfort` on the one measured sprint.
Engines and specs
All versions are Front, transverse. None of the first four generations carry a Turbo label; Turbo appears only on 5 generation `2.0 CVT` and `1.8 CVT`. Direct injection (direct) starts with 4 generation `1.8 AT` and continues on 4 generation restyling `1.8` and all 5 generation rows that list injection. Earlier cars use Distributed injection (multi-point). Compression is 13.5 only on 1 generation `1.5 AT` (58 hp); 14 only on 5 generation `2.0 CVT`; otherwise 13 where measured.
| Generation | Version | hp | Nm | cm³ | Fuel | Cyl / layout | Boost | Gearbox | Drive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 generation | `1.5 AT` | 58 | 102 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 1 generation, restyling | `1.5 AT` | 72 | 115 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation | `1.5 AT` | 110 | 478 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling | `1.5 AT` 76 hp 56 kW | 76 | 110 | 1497 | 92 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling | `1.5 AT` 76 hp 55 kW | 76 | 110 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling | `1.5 AT` 77 hp | 77 | 115 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 2 generation, restyling | `1.5 AT` 113 hp | 113 | 478 | 1497 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 3 generation / 3 generation, restyling | `1.8 AT` | 136 | 144 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 4 generation | `1.8 AT` FWD | 98 | 142 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | FWD |
| 4 generation | `1.8 AT` AWD | 98 | 142 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | No | Automatic | AWD |
| 4 generation | `2ZR-FXE Comfort` | 98 | 145 | 1798 | 95 | 4 / not measured | not measured | Variable | FWD |
| 4 generation | `2ZR-FXE` | 98 | 145 | 1798 | 95 | 4 / not measured | not measured | Variable | FWD |
| 4 generation, restyling | `1.8` AWD | 122 | 142 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | not measured | Variable | AWD |
| 4 generation, restyling | `1.8` FWD | 122 | 142 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | not measured | Variable | FWD |
| 5 generation | `2.0` | 225 | not measured | 1987 | 95 | 4 Inline | not measured | Variable | FWD |
| 5 generation | `2.0 CVT` | 196 | 185 | 1987 | 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
| 5 generation | `1.8 CVT` | 140 | 185 | 1798 | 95 | 4 Inline | Turbo | Variable | FWD |
Performance, mpg, and CO2
Fastest measured 0–100: `2ZR-FXE` 5.1 s, then `2ZR-FXE Comfort` 5.4 s, then `2.0` Plug-in 6.7 s. The 10-second band is crowded: gen 3 `1.8 AT` 10.4 s; 4 gen `1.8 AT` FWD and 4 gen restyle `1.8` AWD 10.6 s; restyle `1.8` FWD 10.8 s; every measured 2 generation `1.5 AT` 10.9 s. Slowest measured: 1 generation restyling `1.5 AT` 13.4 s. Not measured: 1 generation `1.5 AT` (58 hp), 4 generation `1.8 AT` AWD, 5 generation `2.0 CVT` and `1.8 CVT`.
Top speed 180 km/h is shared by gen 3 `1.8 AT`, 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT`, both `2ZR-FXE` rows, and restyle FWD `1.8`. Restyle AWD `1.8` is 160. Second generation is 170. First restyling is 160. Not measured: original 1 generation `1.5 AT`, 4 gen AWD `1.8 AT`, and all three 5 generation rows except none of them list a top speed.
Lowest combined consumption: 4 generation FWD `1.8 AT` 3.0, then `2ZR-FXE` 3.3, `2ZR-FXE Comfort` 3.7, gen 3 `1.8 AT` 3.9, 2 generation 95-fuel cars 4.3, restyle FWD `1.8` 4.6, restyle AWD `1.8` 4.8, 1 generation restyling 5.1. City can undercut highway on the 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT` (3.1 vs 2.9 highway — highway is still lower) and on gen 3 (3.9 city vs 3.7 highway). Not measured for combined: 1 generation 58 hp `1.5 AT`, 2 generation restyling 76 hp 56 kW `1.5 AT` (fuel 92), 4 generation AWD `1.8 AT`, and all 5 generation rows.
CO2: lowest measured is 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT` 70 g/km; gen 3 89; `2ZR-FXE` / Comfort and restyle FWD `1.8` 104; restyle AWD `1.8` 109; 1 generation restyling 120. Euro 6 is the 4 generation family where listed; Euro 4 is gen 3. Eco class not measured on generations 1–2 and on 4 gen AWD `1.8 AT` and 5 generation.
Dimensions and weight
Lightest kerb: 1 generation `1.5 AT` 1240 kg. Heaviest measured: 4 generation `1.8 AT` (both drives) and 4 generation restyling `1.8` (both drives) 1450 kg. `2ZR-FXE` / Comfort sit at 1375 kg — 75 kg under the 1450 kg fourth-generation `1.8 AT` at the same 98 hp. Gen 3 is 1445 kg. Second generation clusters at 1260–1270 kg. 5 generation kerb is not measured.
Gross: 1 generation 1515 kg; 1 restyling 1645; 2 generation family 1725; 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT` and restyle `1.8` 1790; gen 3 1805. Not measured: 4 gen AWD `1.8 AT`, both `2ZR-FXE` rows, 5 generation.
Clearance: highest 145 mm (2 generation). 1 generation and gen 3 140 mm. 4 gen AWD `1.8 AT` 135 mm. 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT` and restyle `1.8` 130 mm. Not measured: `2ZR-FXE` pair and 5 generation.
Tank: 50 l (1 generation both), 45 l (2 and 3), 43 l (4 generation and restyle). 5 generation tank not measured.
Wheels appear only on 4 generation `1.8 AT` (both) and 4 generation restyling `1.8` (both): 195/65 R15 and 215/45 R17. All other generations: wheels not measured.
Which version to choose
Lowest measured fuel and CO2: 4 generation `1.8 AT` FWD — combined 3.0 l/100 km, 70 g/km, Euro 6, 98 hp, 10.6 s, 180 km/h, 1450 kg, 130 mm, 43 l. That is 0.9 l/100 km and 19 g/km under gen 3 `1.8 AT` at the cost of 38 hp.
Need AWD: only two rows. 4 generation `1.8 AT` AWD (98 hp) buys +5 mm clearance vs its FWD twin (135 vs 130) at the same 1450 kg; performance and mpg not measured. 4 generation, restyling `1.8` AWD (122 hp) is the AWD with measured figures: 10.6 s, 160 km/h, combined 4.8, CO2 109. Versus restyle FWD `1.8`: same 122 hp, 0.2 s quicker to 100, 20 km/h lower top speed, +0.2 combined, +5 g/km CO2, same 130 mm clearance.
Need the shortest 0–100 in the Hybrid FWD set: `2ZR-FXE` (5.1 s) over `2ZR-FXE Comfort` (5.4 s). Same 98 hp, 145 Nm, 1375 kg, 104 g/km. Comfort uses 0.4 l/100 km more combined (3.7 vs 3.3). Both beat the 1450 kg `1.8 AT` FWD on sprint by 5.2–5.5 s while using 0.3–0.7 more combined fuel than that car’s 3.0.
Need peak power: 5 generation `2.0` Plug-in 225 hp, 6.7 s, 1987 cm³. Economy and mass not measured — you cannot score it on mpg from this file. Next Hybrid is `2.0 CVT` 196 hp Turbo; then `1.8 CVT` 140 hp Turbo. Neither CVT has 0–100, mpg, or weight measured.
Best measured mass-per-horse among complete rows: gen 3 `1.8 AT` ≈ 10.6 kg/hp (1445 / 136) with combined 3.9 and Euro 4. The 113 hp second-generation restyle `1.5 AT` is ≈ 11.2 kg/hp with combined 4.3 and a 175 kg lighter kerb. Restyle FWD `1.8` 122 hp is ≈ 11.9 kg/hp but combined 4.6.
Oldest / lightest / largest tank: 1 generation `1.5 AT` 58 hp, 1240 kg, 50 l. Sprint and mpg not measured. If you need a measured first-generation car, the restyling `1.5 AT` 72 hp is the only Sedan with 13.4 s, 160 km/h, 5.1 combined, 120 g/km.
Second generation shopper: ignore the shared name `1.5 AT`. Take 113 hp / 478 Nm if you want the restyle’s high-output row; 77 hp / 115 Nm if you want 1 hp and 5 Nm over the 76 hp 95-fuel car at the same 4.3 combined and 1270 kg; 76 hp / 56 kW only if you accept fuel 92, not measured consumption, and 1260 kg. The pre-restyle 110 hp / 478 Nm `1.5 AT` matches the restyle 113 hp car on 10.9 s, 170 km/h, 4.3 combined, and 1270 kg, at −3 hp.
Same 1798 cm³, different jobs: gen 3 `1.8 AT` 136 hp for power and 10.6 kg/hp; 4 gen FWD `1.8 AT` 98 hp for 3.0 l/100 km and 70 g/km; `2ZR-FXE` 98 hp for 5.1 s; restyle `1.8` 122 hp FWD if you want Variable and 122 hp with measured 4.6 combined; 5 gen `1.8 CVT` 140 hp Turbo if you want the newest 1.8 with 185 Nm and accept that 0–100, mpg, and weight are not measured.
Problems and reliability are not measured in this dataset; the comparison above is only the arithmetic of the catalogue rows.