Toyota's 2016 Prius is Consumer Reports’ fuel economy king

By Andrew Hard Published May 25, 2016

When the 2016 Toyota Prius was unveiled late last year, the fourth-generation model boasted a number of improvements over its predecessor. The driving dynamics were noticeably better, for one, and it featured new safety technologies like a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, and full speed dynamic radar cruise control. The styling was completely revamped as well, and while the interior looked a bit like a Stormtrooper’s skivvies to our eyes, we appreciated the new layout and upgraded materials.

Fuel economy is the name of the game in the Prius world, though, and in that sense, the new model knocks it completely out of the park. According to a new batch of tests by Consumer Reports, the 2016 Prius is the most fuel efficient vehicle the group has ever tested.

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The hybrid hatchback averaged 52 mpg combined (43 mpg city, 59 mpg highway) in Consumer Reports’ trials, besting the previous Prius’ figure of 44 mpg and topping the original gas-sipping king by 1 mpg. Can you guess what the old record holder was? Turns out it was the original Honda Insight, which set a lofty benchmark of 51 mpg way back in 2000.

2016 Toyota Prius — Miles Branman/Digital Trends

Miles Branman/Digital Trends

There isn’t one overarching reason for the 2016 Prius’ staggering mileage, rather, there are many. The new body’s drag coefficient of 0.24 is one of the lowest of any mass-production vehicle on the market, and the gasoline engine is physically smaller, lighter, and overall much better at managing thermal energy than its precursor. Not only that, the CVT gearbox has been streamlined, and the battery pack — now made with a lithium polymer instead of a nickel-metal hydrid in most versions — is far superior at storing and delivering power to the wheels.

Read more: Toyota quietly zips even further ahead of the competition with the 2016 Prius

Obviously, 52 mpg combined is impressive, but if you’re looking to save even more at the pump, you’re in luck. A new plug-in version called the Prius Prime is headed for showrooms in late fall, and is expected to return an MPGe rating of 120 or above. Read more about the Prius Prime right here.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

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This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
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Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.