How Much Weight Can A Prius Carry?

The Toyota Prius was the first hybrid car on the automobile market, with constant demand through the years. To get the most out of the vehicle, you might want to know how much weight it can carry. We researched to find this out and have information to share.

The Prius can carry four to five people and a maximum capacity of 1,465 pounds of cargo. The rear cargo capacity is 1,195 pounds, while the trunk can carry 270 pounds. Carrying more than that could damage the car because it will have to exert more effort.

You should know the limits of your Prius so you can maintain its performance. Continue reading to find out more, including information on the car's towing capacity.

How Much Can A Prius Carry?

New 4th generation Toyota Prius hybrid engine vehicles at parking, How Much Weight Can A Prius Carry

The Prius has a curb weight of more than 3,000 pounds, a passenger volume of 91 cubic feet, and a maximum EPA cargo volume of 50.7 cubic feet. The maximum passenger capacity is four to five people, based on the trim and year model.

The Prius is classified as a compact car. All sub-models of Prius for 2022 have a maximum total cargo capacity of 1,465 pounds.

The trunk at the front can carry 270 pounds, while the rear cargo area can take 1,195 pounds. The roof can hold up to 150 pounds, enough to mount a roof rack to carry extra cargo and items you may need for any outdoor pursuits.

What Happens If You Carry More Than The Prius Weight Limit?

silver Toyota Prius is parking fast on the street on a warm autumn day against the backdrop of a city

You compromise the vehicle's performance when you habitually carry heavy loads on the Prius. You should remember the weight capacity to avoid overworking the whole automotive system. 

One consequence of carrying more than the vehicle's capacity is reducing the car's miles per gallon (MPG). The MPG measures how long your car can travel for every gallon.

The MPG of a Prius is low, with 56 MPG combined city and highway. If you have a lower MPG, fuel economy will also be lower.

In addition, overly heavy loads can make it challenging for you to maneuver the vehicle. You may have difficulties turning a corner or driving over a speed bump. If you want to accelerate, your car will have to exert more effort.

As a result, you also speed up the wear and tear of vehicle components like tires, axles, and suspension. Always be mindful of the Prius's weight to avoid damaging the vehicle.

Toyota Prius Prime trunk filled with a microwave oven and two desk fans.

Can A Prius Be Used For Towing?

Yes, you can tow with a Prius. You should refer to your model's manual to make sure it can tow and determine the appropriate tow hitch to attach. 

A Prius can tow small trailers and vehicles which weigh below its towing capacity. When driving, you must stay within the towing speed. The towing capacity of Prius models from 2015 to the present is 1,598 pounds maximum. 

Before you can tow, set the vehicle into neutral. To activate, push the shift gear lever to the N position. You must lower the vehicle's power when towing to avoid damaging the mechanical components.  

Although you can tow with a Prius, Toyota discourages using the car for towing a trailer. There are better models to choose from if you need to tow a trailer. However, aftermarket trailer hitches are available for the Prius.

Click here to see this product on Amazon.

Should You Inflate Prius Tires Before Carrying A Load?

It would be best to inflate the tires to achieve the correct pressure. Setting the pressure is essential because it determines the load capacity of the tires, which carries the whole vehicle.

Your Prius will tell you if the tire pressure is low. The tire pressure sensor light will flash to inform you that the tires lack pressure. Read the driver's manual to find out the recommended PSI of your tires.

Is Prius A Good Vehicle?

Motor car Toyota Prius in the city street

As a mass-produced hybrid vehicle pioneer, the Toyota Prius has set standards and broken barriers for the plug-in hybrid vehicle market.

Since its first unit rollout in 1997, it ushered a revolution in reducing carbon emissions and increasing fuel economy with the assistance of an electric continuously variable transmission (CVT) system.

It has a soft, upscale interior with various features that you can add according to your preference. Choosing a Prius is the right decision if you want great mileage, cargo capacity, and tough-as-nails reliability.

Based on its 2022 model line, the Prius is a compact, front-engine family car with excellent fuel economy ratings. The price range for the 2022 line starts from $25,075 for the L Eco base model up to $33,370 MSRP for the Limited model.

The Toyota Prius is a spacious hybrid compact car if you want fuel economy on the upper tier of the buying list. 

You can learn more about the features of the Prius below.

Interior Cargo Space & Passenger Comfort

The Prius, regardless of model trim, beats all rival hybrid cars in this category: 27.4 cubic feet standard, with 50.7 cubic feet of cargo volume when seats fold at 60/40. It is spacious for its class compared to others. 

Despite a pretty straightforward cabin design, the Prius has enough room for upright seating and outstanding legroom for rear passengers. It features SofTex-trimmed leather power-adjustable front seats and a pollen filtration climate control system. 

Fuel Economy

Gas mileage is one of the few aspects that the Prius tops since its inception. It is historically excellent. Based on the Prius L Eco FWD variant, it garnered 58 MPG in the city, 53 MPG on the highway, and 56 MPG combined.

It may not be the most fuel-efficient in its class, but it ranks high. If you drive both in the city and on the freeway, it is a great option.

Engine & Performance

2021 Toyota Prius front end

The Prius has an acceptable overall performance. The all-wheel-drive models feature a hybrid system isolated from the electric motor, which controls the rear wheels, which in acceleration, does not provide significant power. 

The power-to-weight ratio is only 65.4 W/kg. Considering that the Prius is economy and space-oriented, it is not a car you would take on a track day or a drag strip.

It has a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine with 16-valve DOHC Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i). In the acceleration department, it is not much of a hassle getting off the line. The electric motor has a strong initial torque, but the torque can fizzle out quickly.

Brake System

The Prius combines regenerative and friction braking with low-rolling resistance tires. Braking distances are more extended than same-size vehicles that are not hybrid. Compared to other hybrid cars, it may not have a superb engine performance, but it is suitable for long drives in the city. 

Driving Modes

You should set the vehicle to the appropriate mode when carrying a load, whether a passenger or cargo. The Prius has four driving modes:

  • Normal: Good for everyday commutes to and from work or picking up the kids.
  • Power (PWR): Increases accelerator pedal sensitivity and engine response and additional torque output through the electric CVT motor.
  • Eco: Shields accelerator pedal inputs to level combustion of the 1.8-liter engine with the electric motor operation. The utilization of the air conditioning compressor and heater decreases, which further saves energy.
  • EV: It forces the vehicle to get power solely on the EV powertrain, especially on low-speed operations, and turns off as you press the accelerator pedal.

Meanwhile, the Prius Prime model has EV, EV Auto, and HV modes. Check the manuals for further guidance. 

Click here to buy this Prius manual on Amazon.

In Summary

The Prius can carry up to 1,465 pounds of cargo and has a maximum five-person seating capacity. It is important to know the capacity of the Prius to avoid decreasing its performance.

You can tow anything with the Prius if the weight does not exceed the towing capacity. Also, inflate the tires to get the proper pressure for carrying the load.

Read more about the Prius from these posts to find out what you can do with it:

Prius Won't Start—What Could Be Wrong?

How To Open Prius Trunk Without Power [Dead Battery]

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