Toyota refreshes Prius and Corolla hatchback: modest updates and price increase

Toyotas destined for the American market have been given a refresh for the 2027 model year. The Prius has added $205 to its price tag, while the five-door Corolla has increased by between $200 and $500 (depending on the version).

Japanese brand Toyota began production of the model named Prius in 1997, and it arrived on the American market a few years later. The current fifth-generation Prius was unveiled in autumn 2022; the five-door model is still available in the States both as a standard hybrid and as a plug-in hybrid. Both variants have received a modest set of updates for the 2027 model year.

Presumably, the company's American office hopes these updates will boost interest in the model, which has noticeably waned this year: in the first half of 2026, US dealers sold only around 19,500 units, a 42.3% decrease compared to January-June last year. The price increase is relatively small, so it's unlikely to put off potential customers.

But the updates for the 2027 model year are also quite modest: the standard hybrid Toyota Prius liftback, as well as the Prius Plug-in Hybrid version, get a revised colour palette (which includes a new black colour called Inked) and dual-zone climate control. No changes have been made to the mechanics of the American Prius.

The prices of the refreshed five-door models have risen by just $205. The cost of a standard hybrid 2027 model year Prius ranges from $28,755 to $37,170 (equivalent to approximately £1.8m to £2.33m at current exchange rates), while the refreshed Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid in the US costs between $33,980 and $40,675 (around £2.13m to £2.55m).

The Toyota Corolla hatchback has also been updated in the US for the 2027 model year in recent days. One of the most significant changes is a revised interior with larger displays on the dashboard. The entry-level SE version gets a 7-inch digital instrument cluster and an 8-inch touchscreen for the infotainment system. Meanwhile, the standard equipment list for the XSE trim now includes a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch multimedia touchscreen.

In addition, the colour range for the Toyota Corolla hatchback's bodywork has gained two new options – Inked Black and Blueprint Blue. The model has also been given a set of new original 18-inch glossy white alloy wheels. Interestingly, the Corolla FX variant, which was introduced in the 2025 model year with similar white wheels, has been dropped from the range.

The mechanics of the five-door Toyota Corolla intended for the American market remain unchanged. The model's price has increased by $200 to $500 (depending on the trim). The starting price for the 2027 model year hatchback is $24,780 (around £1.94m), while the top-spec XSE version costs at least $27,875 (approximately £2.18m).