The 2011 Toyota Prius’ trims I through V are pretty modest for the most part, with the IV being the best value overall, adding heated leather seats and three-door smart-key entry. Mechanical features are identical across the board, but the hybrid’s 51/48 city/highway mpg is still impressive a decade later.
Key Points
- The 2011 Toyota Prius is available in five trim levels, simply named Prius I, Prius II, Prius III, Prius IV, and Prius V.
- Added features between trim levels are so modest that, if you live somewhere warm and you don’t need heated seats, you might not even notice the difference.
- Everything under the hood is the same no matter the trim level. Same 98 horsepower, 51/48 mpg hybrid engine, and 1-speed CVT transmission. So, you’re not missing out on any performance with a base 2011 Prius.
- The Prius III is priced about the same as a Prius II, but you get an improved entertainment setup, including a JBL Premium Audio System.
- With the Prius V, you’re paying another thousand bucks over the IV trim, but you’re not getting much more out of the deal than some improved headlights.
Prius I, II and III Trim Levels: Most Basic Versions of an Already-basic Hybrid Are Impressive Enough, Offering Push Button Ignition, JBL Premium Audio System, and More
You won’t have to memorize classy names like “Limited” and “Latitude” when trying to keep track of Toyota Prius trim levels. The 2011’s trims go from I to V. Simple, right?
Prius I is the entry-level trim. But everything under the hood is the same no matter the trim level. Same 98 horsepower, 51/48 mpg hybrid engine, same 1-speed CVT transmission. So, you’re not missing out on any performance with a base 2011 Prius.
You’d think that that means the Prius hides all the best interior features behind the higher trim levels, but even the I offers a pretty solid suite of features, including:
- Automatic climate control with dust and pollen filtration mode
- Hill-start assist control (this keeps you from rolling backwards when accelerating from a stop on a hill)
- Push-button ignition
- Eco and Power driving modes
- 15″ five-spoke alloy wheels
The main upgrade you’re getting in the Prius II is a smart key entry system, which might not justify the thousand dollar price bump, as safety, mechanical, and entertainment features are effectively identical between the first two trim levels.
As for the Prius III, the price is about the same in the Kelley Blue Book as a Prius II, but you get an improved entertainment setup, including a JBL Premium Audio System with eight speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel-mounted control.
Plus, the III had a much wider range of options, like the solar roof package, with a voice-activated touch-screen system, solar-powered ventilation, and a backup camera (remember, these weren’t standard on 2011 cars).
Prius IV’s Heated Seats Provide a Dash of Luxury at a Fair Price
Starting at around a hundred bucks over the III, the IV is where you really start noticing the upgrades. You get everything you’re getting in a III, plus:
- Leather trim seating
- Heated front seats with lumbar support
- Water-repellent side windows upfront
- Three-door smart key entry
- Plasmacluster ionizer (basically a high-tech air purifier)
Once again, mechanical, safety, and exterior features are the same as in lower trim levels. The experience of driving a 2011 Prius is mostly the same no matter the trim level you go with. The price bump between trim levels is modest because the feature bump between them is modest. Mostly what you’re paying for is a few extra creature comforts inside the car. Everything under the hood is identical from the Prius I to the Prius V.
Prius V’s Upgraded Exterior Lights Might Not Justify the Price Bump
Starting at a couple grand over the Prius I, the V is the top of the line, which is to say, a very slight upgrade from the IV. Bonuses onboard the V consist of a few extra exterior features. So, it includes everything featured in the IV, plus:
- 17″ five-spoke alloy wheels
- Fog lamps
- Four auto-leveling LED headlights with automatic on/off
The II and III don’t give you much for the price bump, but the IV’s heated leather seats and upgraded smart-key entry will at least let you know where that extra grand went. With the V, you’re paying another thousand bucks on top of that, but you’re not getting much more out of the deal than some improved headlights.
All of that being said, the added features between trim levels are so modest that, if you live somewhere warm and you don’t need heated seats, you might not even notice the difference.
Considering that the 2011 Prius’ five trim levels are mechanically identical, this could be an instance where you might as well go with the most affordable model you can find, and save the extra money for a new hybrid battery, as the pricing on those starts at around a grand.
Photos: Toyota
