2012 Toyota Prius Gas Tank Size & Fuel Capacity
Fuel tank capacity
11.9gal · 45 L
The 2012 Toyota Prius has a fuel tank capacity of 11.9 gallons (45 liters) on every trim.
A full tank is good for roughly 571 highway miles or 607 miles around town, going by the EPA ratings.
11.9 gal · Smaller than 95% of 2012 models we list.
Listed separately: 2012 Toyota Prius c (9.5 gal), 2012 Toyota Prius Plug-in (10.6 gal), 2012 Toyota Prius v (11.9 gal).
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2012 Toyota Prius fuel tank capacity by trim
MPG and range are city / highway.
| Trim | Engine | Drive | Tank | MPG city / hwy | Range city / hwy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Five 4dr Hatchback 1.8L 4cyl CVT · FWD Hybrid MPG 51 / 48Range 607 / 571 mi | 1.8L 4cyl CVT Hybrid | FWD | 11.9 gal45 L | 51 / 48 | 607 / 571 mi | |
| Four 4dr Hatchback 1.8L 4cyl CVT · FWD Hybrid MPG 51 / 48Range 607 / 571 mi | 1.8L 4cyl CVT Hybrid | FWD | 11.9 gal45 L | 51 / 48 | 607 / 571 mi | |
| One 4dr Hatchback 1.8L 4cyl CVT · FWD Hybrid MPG 51 / 48Range 607 / 571 mi | 1.8L 4cyl CVT Hybrid | FWD | 11.9 gal45 L | 51 / 48 | 607 / 571 mi | |
| Three 4dr Hatchback 1.8L 4cyl CVT · FWD Hybrid MPG 51 / 48Range 607 / 571 mi | 1.8L 4cyl CVT Hybrid | FWD | 11.9 gal45 L | 51 / 48 | 607 / 571 mi | |
| Two 4dr Hatchback 1.8L 4cyl CVT · FWD Hybrid MPG 51 / 48Range 607 / 571 mi | 1.8L 4cyl CVT Hybrid | FWD | 11.9 gal45 L | 51 / 48 | 607 / 571 mi | |
| No trim matches all of these filters. | ||||||
Tank figures are the manufacturer's rated capacity, sorted smallest tank first. Range is tank size times EPA city or highway MPG.
How far a 2012 Toyota Prius goes on a tank
Gallons left and the distance they cover at each mark on the fuel gauge, at EPA city and highway mileage. At the combined rating of 50 MPG, a full 11.9-gallon tank covers about 595 miles.
| Gauge | Gallons | Highway miles | City miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full | 11.9 | 571 | 607 |
| 3/4 | 8.9 | 428 | 455 |
| 1/2 | 6.0 | 286 | 303 |
| 1/4 | 3.0 | 143 | 152 |
| 1/8 | 1.5 | 71 | 76 |
Over 15,000 miles a year (the EPA's yearly estimate) this configuration uses about 300 gallons, roughly 25 full tanks.
Fuel gauges aren't perfectly linear and the low-fuel light comes on with a few gallons still in the tank, so plan your stop before the last eighth.
What it costs to fill up a 2012 Toyota Prius
$50.81 to fill the 11.9-gallon tank from empty with regular, at this week's US average of $4.27 a gallon.
| Tank | Fuel | US avg / gal | From empty | From 1/4 tank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.9 gal | Regular | $4.27 | $50.81 | $38.11 |
By region, 11.9-gallon tank
| Region | Regular / gal | Fill from empty |
|---|---|---|
| East Coast | $4.02 | $47.84 |
| Midwest | $4.27 | $50.81 |
| Gulf CoastLowest | $3.70 | $44.03 |
| Rocky Mountain | $4.46 | $53.07 |
| West Coast | $5.42 | $64.50 |
| CaliforniaHighest | $5.89 | $70.09 |
Prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration retail averages for the week of October 26, 2026. This week's prices by state and city.
Your own price
- 11.9-gallon tank$50.81
- A year of driving (15,000 mi)$1,281
Starts at the US average for regular; type in what your station charges. For other tank sizes, use the fill-up calculator.
Prius tank size in other years
The 2012 Prius uses the same 11.9 gal tank as every Prius since 2003.
| Model year | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 Prius | 11.3 gal | 599 mi |
| 2016 Prius | 11.3 gal | 599 mi |
| 2015 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2014 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2013 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2012 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2011 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2010 Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
| 2009 Prius | 11.9 gal | 536 mi |
| 2008 Prius | 11.9 gal | 536 mi |
| 2007 Prius | 11.9 gal | 536 mi |
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2012 Toyota Prius vs similar 2012 hatchbacks
The Prius has the smallest tank of the seven 2012 hatchbacks compared here: 11.9 gallons, against 16.9 for the Subaru Impreza.
| 2012 model | Tank | Longest highway range |
|---|---|---|
| Subaru Impreza | 14.5–16.9 gal | 522 mi |
| Mazda Mazdaspeed 3 | 15.9 gal | 398 mi |
| Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback | 15.5 gal | 496 mi |
| Scion tC | 14.5 gal | 450 mi |
| Volkswagen Beetle | 14.5 gal | 450 mi |
| Hyundai Elantra Touring | 14.0 gal | 434 mi |
| Toyota Prius | 11.9 gal | 571 mi |
Other 2012 hatchbacks of a similar size, one model per brand.
2012 Toyota Prius fuel system recalls
None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2012 Toyota Prius involve the fuel system.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fuel tank capacity of the 2012 Toyota Prius?
The 2012 Toyota Prius holds 11.9 gallons (45 liters) on every trim we list.
How many gallons and liters does the 2012 Toyota Prius gas tank hold?
The 2012 Toyota Prius tank holds 45 liters, or 11.9 gallons in US gallons.
How far can a 2012 Toyota Prius go on a full tank?
About 571 miles on the highway and 607 miles in town, going from full to empty at its EPA ratings. Expect less in practice, since nobody runs the tank dry.
How many miles can a 2012 Toyota Prius go on a quarter tank?
About 143 highway miles or 152 in town from the 11.9-gallon tank, which has roughly 3.0 gallons left at the quarter mark. Gauges aren't exact, so treat that as a guide.
What gas does the 2012 Toyota Prius take?
Regular unleaded. The label inside the fuel door confirms it for your car.
How much does it cost to fill up a 2012 Toyota Prius?
At the US average of $4.27 a gallon for regular (EIA, week of October 26, 2026), filling the 11.9-gallon tank from empty costs $50.81. It ranges from $44.03 in the Gulf Coast to $70.09 in California.
How much does a full tank of gas weigh in a 2012 Toyota Prius?
About 74 pounds for the 11.9-gallon tank. Gasoline weighs roughly 6.2 pounds a gallon.
Does the 2012 Toyota Prius have a bigger gas tank than the Hyundai Elantra Touring?
No. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring holds up to 14.0 gallons; the 2012 Toyota Prius holds up to 11.9.
Has the 2012 Toyota Prius had a fuel pump or fuel system recall?
No. None of the 6 recalls NHTSA lists for the 2012 Toyota Prius involve the fuel system.
Sources
- Tank sizes: manufacturer-rated capacities from US-market specifications, checked against independent references. Updated October 2026.
- MPG and range: EPA ratings. Range is tank size times EPA MPG.
- Fuel prices: U.S. Energy Information Administration, week of October 26, 2026 (this week's prices).
- Recalls: NHTSA recall database (Toyota fuel system recalls).
Does your owner's manual say something different? Let us know and we'll fix it. More on how we check the numbers.