The 2015 Toyota Prius Two’s 52 MPG combined fuel economy is its main selling point. It’s not particularly quick, luxurious, spacious, or stylish, but it gets great gas mileage, which appeals to a specific type of driver. These drivers want low running costs more than anything and often drive a lot of miles. For them, the Prius Two is a tool for minimizing transportation expenses.

City and highway performance

The EPA numbers for the 2015 Prius Two show it performs slightly better in city driving, with 54 MPG compared to 50 MPG on the highway. This is because its hybrid powertrain relies more on the electric motor at lower speeds and in stop-and-go traffic. Regenerative braking, a key feature, helps the Prius efficiently capture energy during deceleration and recharges the battery. On the highway, the gasoline engine works harder to maintain speed, which causes a small decline in fuel economy. Still, 50 MPG on the open road is excellent. The Prius Two is a capable and efficient choice for long trips if you care more about saving money on gas.

Annual fuel cost

The EPA estimates the annual fuel cost for the 2015 Toyota Prius Two to be $1,010. This is based on driving 15,000 miles per year and using national average fuel prices. Your actual fuel costs will depend on your driving habits, the type of driving you do, and gas prices where you live. However, this $1,010 estimate gives you a good way to compare the Prius Two’s running costs to other vehicles.

Real-world expectations

Keep in mind that real-world fuel economy can vary from EPA estimates. A lot of Prius Two owners say they get mileage close to the EPA estimates, and some even beat them in ideal conditions. Driving carefully, like accelerating gently and anticipating traffic, can really help you maximize fuel efficiency. Also, things like terrain, weather, and using the air conditioning can affect your MPG. Most drivers can realistically expect to get within a few miles per gallon of the EPA’s 52 MPG combined figure.

How it compares

Several cars competed with the 2015 Toyota Prius Two in the fuel-efficient vehicle market. For example, the Honda Civic Hybrid was rated at 45 MPG combined, which is less than the Prius. The Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is larger and more powerful, got around 41 MPG combined, so the Prius Two saves more gas. The Ford C-Max Hybrid, a hatchback, had an EPA rating of 40 MPG combined. If you care most about MPG, the Prius is a good option. Check out all Toyota fuel economy data to see how well the company does with hybrids. For a broader view, see the PRIUS MPG across all years and trim levels.

Tips to maximize efficiency

Accelerate gently. Avoid hard starts and speeding up quickly because these actions make the gasoline engine work harder and use more fuel. Letting the electric motor do more work, especially at lower speeds, will help you save gas.

Anticipate traffic and brake smoothly. If you look ahead and predict when you’ll need to slow down, you can use the brakes less and use regenerative braking more. This helps you recapture energy and recharge the hybrid battery, improving fuel efficiency and reducing wear on your brakes.

If you can, don’t use the air conditioning. While it’s important in hot weather, it makes the engine work harder and reduces fuel economy. When you can, open the windows or use the ventilation system to circulate air. This works well at lower speeds and in moderate temperatures.

Keep your tires properly inflated. Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance, making the engine work harder and use more fuel. Check your tire pressure regularly and inflate them to the recommended level, which you can find on a sticker in the driver’s side doorjamb. This can improve fuel economy and make your tires last longer.