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Toyota Prius — MPG & Fuel Costs 2025

The hybrid pioneer. The fourth and fifth-generation Prius offer outstanding fuel economy, especially in urban driving.

The Toyota Prius is the car that made hybrid technology mainstream. Designed from the ground up for maximum efficiency, its aerodynamic teardrop shape and specialized low-friction components are tailored to squeeze every mile out of a gallon of fuel.

Power is delivered by Toyota's proven 1.8-litre petrol hybrid setup, designed to maximize thermal efficiency. The Prius is particularly popular with private hire drivers and urban commuters who benefit from its absolute reliability and low running costs.

A real-world return of 57 MPG is standard, with careful drivers easily exceeding 65 MPG in urban environments. Its low drag coefficient means it remains highly efficient at motorway speeds, cruising quietly and frugally.

TL;DR

57 MPG

Real-world petrol

43L

Tank capacity

£58.82

Full tank (petrol)

10.9p

Per mile (petrol)

Real-World Fuel Economy: The Toyota Prius achieves an estimated 57 MPG in real-world UK driving conditions, accounting for a 12% WLTP real-world penalty.

Forecourt Fuel Cost: Refueling the 43-litre tank completely costs approximately £58.82 at average UK fuel price rates.

Fuel economy at a glance

57

Real-world MPG

Petrol

67.3

Official WLTP

Petrol

Why is real-world MPG lower? Official WLTP figures are tested under laboratory conditions — smooth roads, controlled temperature, no A/C, no passengers. Real-world driving cuts efficiency by 10–15%. WorthThePump applies a 12% penalty to give a realistic estimate.

Annual fuel costs by mileage

Annual mileagePetrol
5,000 miles/yr£546
7,400 miles/yr(UK average)£807
10,000 miles/yr£1091
15,000 miles/yr£1637
20,000 miles/yr£2182
Full tank (43L)£58.82
Cost per mile10.9p

Based on UK average fuel prices: petrol 136.8p/L · diesel 142.1p/L. Prices updated regularly.

How does the Prius compare?

Tips to get better MPG from your Prius

Monitor the Eco driving indicator on the dashboard to keep your acceleration inside the high-efficiency zone.

Use EV mode in car parks and slow-moving traffic to prevent the petrol engine from firing up.

Ensure the low-drag aerodynamic wheel covers are kept fitted to maximize motorway efficiency.

Is the cheaper petrol station worth it?

In a Toyota Prius achieving ~57 MPG real-world, if you fill 34 litres and the alternative station is 10p/litre cheaper:

£3.40

Gross saving on fuel

£0.33

Cost of 3-mile detour

£3.07

Net saving ✓

You could drive up to 31 miles round-trip before the saving disappears entirely.

Calculate for your exact situation

Popular variants

1.8 Active 1221.8 Business Edition2.0 PHEV

Frequently asked questions

What is the real-world MPG of the Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius achieves approximately 57 MPG in real-world petrol driving — around 12% lower than the official WLTP figure of 67.3 MPG due to real driving conditions. Diesel variants achieve around N/A MPG real-world.

How much does it cost to fill a Toyota Prius?

The Toyota Prius has a fuel tank of 43 litres. At the UK average of 136.8p/litre for petrol, a full tank costs approximately £58.82. Diesel costs approximately £61.10 for a full tank.

What is the annual fuel cost for a Toyota Prius?

At the UK average annual mileage of 7,400 miles and current petrol price of 136.8p/litre, a Toyota Prius costs approximately £807 per year in fuel. At 10,000 miles/year the cost rises to £1091. Actual costs vary with your driving style and mileage.

Is it worth driving to a cheaper petrol station in a Toyota Prius?

In a Toyota Prius doing ~57 MPG real-world, driving 3 miles round-trip to save 10p/litre on a 34-litre fill nets approximately £3.07 after the extra fuel cost. You could drive up to 31 miles before the saving is eaten up. Use the WorthThePump calculator for your exact situation.

How much does the Toyota Prius cost per mile in fuel?

The Toyota Prius costs approximately 10.9p per mile in petrol at current UK prices. Over a typical commute of 30 miles per day, that is approximately £3.27 per day in fuel.

What is the WLTP MPG figure for the Toyota Prius?

The official WLTP fuel economy figure for the Toyota Prius is 67.3 MPG. However, real-world MPG is typically 10–15% lower than WLTP due to cold starts, air conditioning, motorway speeds, and varying loads. WorthThePump uses a 12% real-world penalty to give a more accurate estimate.

Related guides

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