After it first hit America’s highways in 2000, the Toyota Prius quickly became one of the most popular hybrid vehicles on the streets. Toyota’s engineers gave the car a streamlined design and equipped it with a perky hybrid powertrain—but they didn't stop there!

In recent years,

Toyota

has added a handful of fantastic custom driving modes to the Prius. Here to break down each driving mode is

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What are the Toyota Prius drive modes?

Normal mode

Normal mode is perfect for balanced, everyday driving. Basically, it’s the factory setting for a Toyota Prius. In normal mode, the AC and heater will function at optimum efficiency and the gas pedal will be responsive (but not too responsive!).

Since the normal mode is all about finding the golden balance, it’s great for your daily commute through the city.

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PWR mode

PWR mode, also known as Sport mode, does exactly what the name suggests: it ramps up the sensitivity of your accelerator, so a light touch will give you a burst of speed. Because the 2022 Toyota Prius only comes with 121 horsepower, this mode will come in handy if you need to show off to your friends—or merge at a moment’s notice!

Eco mode

Eco mode might be the most important of all Prius driving modes. Why? Well, it takes the Toyota Prius—a vehicle that’s already renowned for its amazing fuel efficiency—and brings it to a whole new level!

When you switch your Prius into Eco mode, the vehicle will diminish the response of the gas pedal and adjust the AC/heater for reduced gas consumption. All of a sudden, that 55 MPG fuel rating will leap up a few points—and you’ll be gleefully cruising past highway gas stations.

MORE: The best type of car insurance to get if you commute long distances

EV mode

The fourth mode on the list, EV mode, isn’t technically a driving mode, because it only lasts for 10 to 30 miles (depending on which Prius you own). EV mode’s range is so short because it forces the Prius to use its battery only, and most Priuses top out at 25 miles of driving range.

Still, for a brief moment, the EV mode can be extremely useful! If your daily commute is only 10 miles, you can switch your Prius into EV mode and make the drive without dipping into the gas tank. Pretty great, right?

MORE:

How to park a Toyota Prius

What are the Toyota Prius Prime drive modes?

The Prius isn’t the only Toyota that uses multiple modes to achieve driving harmony! The

Toyota Prius Prime

has three stellar modes of its own:

EV mode: Uses the electric engine whenever possible, so that you can save on gas

EV Auto mode: Intelligently selects between EV mode and HV mode, depending on driving conditions

HV (hybrid vehicle) mode: Taps into the power of the Prius Prime’s gas engine to increase driving strength

Whether you own a classic Prius or a new-school Prius Prime, you can rest assured that your vehicle is operating at top-notch efficiency.

MORE: How to choose an eco-friendly car

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How to get super affordable Prius insurance

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