Closeup of a person charging their Prius Prime

Performance

  • Get outstanding gas mileage in the Prius Prime which has a greater combined MPG rating than the Niro Plug-In.
  • Plus, the Prius Prime takes significantly less time to charge on a 120V outlet compared to its competitor.
  • Toyota includes a maintenance plan for the first two years of ownership with ToyotaCare.

Using a combination of gas and electric power, the Prius Prime and Niro Plug-In help you reduce CO2 emissions and save on conventional fuel costs.

Charge Up and Get Going

Impressively, the Prius Prime has an EPA-estimated 55/53/54 (city/highway/combined) MPG rating. The Niro Plug-In's MPG ratings aren't as strong, attaining only a 46 combined MPG when you're in hybrid mode.

When you run out of charge, the Prius Prime can help you get back on the road faster with a charging time of less than 5.5 hours on a 120V outlet. It'll take much longer to recharge with the Niro Plug-In's Level 1 Charging, which takes 8-10 hours to reach a full battery on a 110V outlet.

Regular maintenance is important for a car to run as efficiently as possible. While you'll have to purchase a Kia Care Choice plan for the Niro Plug-In, the Prius Prime has ToyotaCare standard factory-scheduled maintenance plan included for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
Interior of Toyota Prius Prime

Interior

  • The Prius Prime comes with heated front seats unlike the Niro Plug-In.
  • You can upgrade your Prius Prime XLE to include Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation for less than the comparable Niro Plug-In EX Premium.
  • Keep your valuables hidden with the Prius Prime's standard cargo cover.

You won't have to break the bank to get the interior features you want in the Prius Prime.

More for Less

Get comfortable no matter the weather in the Prius Prime's standard heated front seats. Based on the interior specs of the 2022 Niro Plug-In, only the Niro Plug-In EX or EX Premium will come with heated front seats.

While the Niro Plug-In has a slightly bigger standard infotainment display than the Prius Prime, you'll have to spend more on any multimedia upgrades. For a starting MSRP of $30,000, the Prius Prime XLE comes with Premium Audio with Integrated Navigation and an 11.6-in touchscreen with split-screen display. Kia's UVO link with Voice-Command Navigation System and a 10.25-inch Touch-Screen Display is only available on the EX Premium. This model starts at $36,490.

The Prius Prime also comes standard with a cargo area lightweight tonneau cover to keep your valuables out of sight. A cargo cover is only standard on the Niro Plug-In EX and EX Premium models.
Blue Prius Prime driving fast down a highway

Awards

  • Among consumers, the Prius Prime was rated more highly than the Niro Plug-In in the category of Reliability on KBB.com.
  • The Prius Prime and Niro Plug-In made the top 10 Kelley Blue Book® list of Best Plug-In Hybrid Cars Under $40,000.
  • Taking pride in creating reliable cars, Toyota's hard work paid off winning the 2021 Best Resale Value: Brand award from KBB®.

These plug-in hybrids have received high marks from both expert reviewers and real life consumers.

The Reviews Are In

Based on reviews over various model years, the Prius Prime's current reliability rating stands at a perfect 5.0 consumer rating on KBB.com. The Niro Plug-In has a 4.7 out of 5.

It was also a tight race for the 2021 Prius Prime and 2021 Niro Plug-In to see which would get closest to the number one spot on the Kelley Blue Book® list of Best Plug-In Hybrid Cars Under $40,000. The Niro Plug-In came in fifth followed by the Prius Prime in sixth.

In 2021, Toyota won the Best Resale Value: Brand, according to Kelley Blue Book®'s KBB.com. Purchase your Prius Prime with the peace of mind of knowing that it will withstand the test of time.

Conclusion: Prius Prime vs. Niro PHEV

The Prius Prime is an all-around superb plug-in hybrid. It promises excellent performance and interior features, and it has a reputation for quality, durability, and reliability.

  • Toyota has your best interests in mind. That's why all new vehicles come standard with ToyotaCare.
  • The Prius Prime and Toyota are a Kelley Blue Book® award-winning duo.
  • With ToyotaCare, you won't have to worry about the added costs that come with regular maintenance for two years or 25,000 miles, whichever comes first.
  • With the 2022 Toyota Prius Prime, you get heated front seats.
  • The 2022 Prius Prime comes with a cargo that can help keep stored items hidden from view.
  • The 2022 Toyota Prius Prime charges in less than 5.5 hours on a 120V outlet.