It’s funny how even minor trim changes can substantially alter the look of a car. It helps if the machine has a distinctive body design to begin with, of course, as was the case with the current, fifth-generation Toyota Prius – even before the stylists gave it the brand’s now-familiar Nightshade makeover.
From XSE to Nightshade: A Sinister Upgrade
New for the 2026 model year, Toyota has given the regular Prius Plug-in Hybrid XSE we reviewed a style upgrade with a Nightshade Edition package (US$775/C$1,245) that adds gloss-black accents to the outside of the car in the form of doorsills, door handles, bumper trim, badging, and 19-inch, multi-spoke alloy wheels. Inside, the cabin is finished in black upholstery with grey stitching.
The result is a sinister upgrade to this most wholesome of cars, which already benefits from a wind-cheating, wedge-shaped silhouette. Even in basic LE form, there are few more distinctive cars on the road than the Prius. Black accents on board, the original eco warrior – better known for its lack of thirst for gas and impressive durability – is now a stealthy style icon. We like it a lot.
A Fun-to-Drive Prius? You Bet
- Engine: 2.0L 4-cylinder hybrid
- Horsepower: 194 hp (FWD) / 196 hp (AWD)
- Torque: 139 lb-ft
- Transmission: eCVT automatic
- Drivetrain: FWD or available AWD
- 0–60 mph: Approximately 7.0–7.2 seconds
However, the real surprise is that, while many cosmetic packages try to kid you that the vehicle is sportier than it really is, the current Prius is surprisingly engaging to drive. We took the Nightshade around a short handling course and it was commendably composed in the slalom. The steering is nicely weighted and progressive. As you up the speed and the grip runs out, the stability control intervenes, but very smoothly: without the flashing dash light, you likely wouldn’t notice it doing its thing. There is more roll in the car by that point, but it’s still responding. Even on a longer-radius turn, it wasn’t pushing, just holding its line. It’s agile and predictable – the foundations of any good performance car, let alone something built for economy.
“Unless you’ve easy access to a fast-charging network, a plug-in hybrid makes more sense to a lot of drivers than a full EV.”
Good looks and sound handling are two reasons why the Prius Plug-in Nightshade is an easy car to like, but there are others. Sitting low beneath that swooping roofline, there’s good headroom, comfortable seats, better interior quality than in some other recent Toyotas, and 64km (40-mile) of all-electric range. Having driven hundreds of miles in a regular Prius during a road trip last spring, we can confirm that it’s relaxing over long distances, too.
Downsides? The small driver-information screen ahead of me was completely obscured by the rim of the steering wheel, unfortunately. Depending on your build, this may not be a problem, but it was for me. Lowering the wheel as far as it would go, without it fouling my legs, offered a partial solution. And while forward visibility is great, you don’t see much through that narrow slit of a rear window.
When the charge runs out, the noise, vibration and harshness from the gasoline backup motor is fine at the usual part-loads, but it gets a little noisy when you demand more from it. There’s also some road noise on those stylish 19-inch rims; if the road surfaces are bad in your area, you might want to consider some 17s (black, of course).
Unless you’ve easy access to a fast-charging network, a plug-in hybrid makes more sense to a lot of drivers than a full EV. Throw in some sharp looks and good driving manners, and the Prius Plug-in Nightshade Edition offers a lot more than wallet-friendly motoring. This car has a personality – and it’s not the one you might expect.
Related – 2023 Toyota Prius First Drive Review
