This is what happens when aerospace engineers build a luxury sedan: world-class hardware wrapped in frustratingly unfinished software. The powertrain delivers 512 miles of real-world range and S-Class ride quality, with used Grand Tourings hitting $55-65k (down from $125k new) that make German rivals look overpriced. But the mobile key fails often enough that you'll keep a backup card in your wallet, the infotainment freezes mid-drive, and Dream Drive Pro throws phantom brake warnings on clear roads. Owners who've logged 26,000+ miles still call it irreplaceable, if you can tolerate rebooting after every charge and live near a service center. The company's financial crisis (losing $330k per car in Q1 2026, production guidance suspended) makes this a gamble on whether Saudi backing keeps them afloat long enough to fix the software. Buy it if you want the best EV powertrain money can buy and have patience for startup quirks. Skip it if you expect Tesla-level polish or need a car that just works every time you walk up to it.
For twenty years, the Prius was the car everyone respected but nobody wanted to be seen in, reliable as gravity, efficient as physics allows, and styled like a melted bar of soap. The 2023 redesign finally fixed the looks, added genuine driving enjoyment, and turned it into something you might actually want. The problem is dealer greed: markups are pushing new models to $40k-$50k, which is lunacy for what should be a $30k-$36k hybrid. At MSRP, the current Prius is the best version Toyota's ever built. At dealer markup prices, walk next door and buy the Camry Hybrid, it's quieter, roomier, and actually available at reasonable prices. If you're shopping used, Gen 2 models are bulletproof appliances that'll outlive your mortgage.