A Prius enters Grasso’s Garage this week for the first time ever.

Our 2026 taxi cab, I mean Prius Nightshade, is wrapped in a hip-looking Karashi, a honey-mustard twist on taxi-cab yellow. Two other color options are available, while a black interior is standard.

Hybrid engines are the easy choice for 2026 consumers. As EV sales tanked in recent months with the fallout of tax credits, their efficiency and energy-first initiatives have convinced consumers that hybrid is the way of the future.

Powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder plug-in hybrid engine with front-wheel drive, the Prius Nightshade provided 196 horsepower and 152 pound-feet of torque and offered 40 miles of electric power on only the electric charge. The eCVT transmission was quiet from the cockpit.

Standard on our 2026 Nightshade edition was a slew of nicely outlined items, including 19-inch alloy wheels with black finish, black exterior accents and badges, an 8-inch infotainment system with six speakers and wireless compatibility. Heated seats and steering wheel were also standard. Upgrades included a 12.3-inch infotainment system and a fixed glass roof, which combined for $1,610.

Driving the Prius was certainly fun, as it has a ton of power. I was also very impressed with comfort. Its cockpit-style interior was a joy to drive on the flat roads of Florida as we attempted to achieve 50 mpg for the week (we fell just short of that).

The Nightshade is a great alternative to the basic, more entry-level Prius from the past. Its price point and fuel mileage, paired with a modern style, has piqued consumers’ interest over the traditional Corolla and Crossover in the fleet.

With the revitalized Prius, we anticipate a younger, more hip consumer base to flock to Toyota’s fleet, with the current base expanding even more.

For my taxi-cab drivers, don’t get any thoughts!

2026 Toyota Prius Nightshade Plug-in Hybrid

MSRP: $37,795

MPGe: 114 /48 highway / 49.2 as tested

As Tested: $40,985

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