Real-world fuel economy on Gen 5 Prius vs Gen 4

Discussion in 'Gen 5 Prius Fuel Economy & Prime EV Range' started by andentalbania, Jan 25, 2026 at 11:19 AM.

  1. andentalbania

    andentalbania New Member

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    I’m curious how Gen 5 owners are seeing real-world MPG compared to the Gen 4. EPA numbers look good on paper, but how does it perform in mixed city/highway driving, especially with winter temps or short trips? Would love to hear some long-term impressions.
     
  2. Paul Gregory

    Paul Gregory Senior Member

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    I was given the impression (from news releases) that each generation gave us a 10% increase in fuel economy.
    I am not seeing any increase in fuel economy over my Gen 3, and I calculate fuel economy at each fill-up to at least 2 decimal places.
     
  3. TGTGUUD

    TGTGUUD Member

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    55mpg over 32k miles for my LE. And that’s from 80% highway, and smoking every Civic Si at red lights. I see 70+ mpg on non-highway trips. Never considered a gen 4 since it was dangerously slow.
     
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  4. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I'm pretty sure the European Prius versions run a slightly different algorithm than the ones in the states. ie. I know they stay in EV mode longer whereas our standard Prius disables around 10-15 mph.
     
  5. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    Never heard of that 10% notion... Highest MPG is something that happens in warm weather ... Perfectly normal in the winter for Prius to go below even 40mpg. And as far as I'm aware Gen3 was highest possible MPG of Prius design and by doing that they caused major problems with engine reliability and longevity.
     
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  6. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    59.9 mpg actual last tank on my '26 LE (HEV).
    Conditions aren't ideal. I tried. :)
     
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  7. PriusCamper

    PriusCamper Senior Member

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    That's an amazing MPG number for winter... Gen5 may be able to do that, but earlier generations could not do that this time of year.
     
  8. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Thank you.
    I froze my nice person off, lol.
    Since then, the dealer changed the oil. There was some question about whether OEM 0w8 or 0w16 was used. I wonder if that will affect mileage. Although, it's gotten colder than a witch's tit here of late.
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The gen5 is PHV only in Europe. May have been that way with the gen4. Their EV modes have some differences from North America.

    Those looking for just a hybrid there can get one in the Corolla hatch and wagon. Lucky bastards.

    Been discussed here multiple times. The gen5 is the first to not be in that 10% increase range. It increased performance while maintaining fuel economy levels near the gen4.
     
  10. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I'd love to have a corolla wagon. The closest we have is the corolla cross. I had one when I was flipping cars - some bastard offered me a boat-load of money, so I couldn't refuse. Did the same with a Honda Accord wagon. They were really popular in the late 80s, early 90's; don't know why they stopped making them.
     
  11. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    I had a hankering for a VW TDI SportWagen that I never satisfied.
     
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  12. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    6 speed manual, of course. Never found one for a fair price; if they met my price range, they were automatics.
     
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  13. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

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    The one I really admired was the Camry Wagon. It was discontinued before I could get one though.
     
  14. VelvetFoot

    VelvetFoot Active Member

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    Didn't that come with an optional diesel (here in the States)?
    edit: I recall a dark blue metallic color as well, lol.
     
  15. sclevine

    sclevine Active Member

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    My 2024 Prius XLE does not quite do well as my 2017 Prius Four. XLE takes a hit with the larger 19 inch wheels. LE would do better.

    2024 - 85,000 miles - 51 lifetime average
    2017 - 290,000 miles - 52.7 lifetime average
     
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  16. BiomedO1

    BiomedO1 Senior Member

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    I don't believe there was a Camry diesel option in the states; perhaps in Mexico or Canada????
    I've only seen Toyota diesels in Land Cruisers here in the states and they were few and far in-between. More common overseas. Crew cab in pickup trucks was also way more common overseas, about a decade before they became common here.