News

Jun 02, 2024

Redesigned 2023 TPrius Prime Gets Longer Electric

The sleek design takes away from some of the Prius’ long-standing practicality, but the added efficiency is a definite plus Like the redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius, which we’ve already spent some time

The sleek design takes away from some of the Prius’ long-standing practicality, but the added efficiency is a definite plus

Like the redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius, which we’ve already spent some time with, the Prius Prime plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) features a sleek new shape and optional automation technology, but it compromises on interior space for people and cargo compared with the outgoing model.

We’ll get to the other changes in a minute, but because fuel economy is the Prius Prime’s forte, we wanted to address that first.

Unlike the regular Prius, the Prius Prime features a larger lithium-ion battery that can be plugged in to recharge. Toyota estimates that drivers can get up to 44 miles of electric-only range from a Prius Prime SE on a full charge, which should take about 11 hours using a standard 110-volt household outlet or 4 hours on a 240-volt charger. (The XSE and XSE Premium trims will get up to 39 miles.) That’s a big leap from the 25 miles the current Prius Prime offers.

Once that charge runs out, the Prius Prime’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine kicks in, and the car starts to act just like a regular hybrid. Range is not an issue, because it can be fueled at any gas station. That means the Prius Prime might be a good choice for drivers who want the efficiency of an electric car but worry about its limitations.

On many other PHEVs, fuel mileage drops precipitously once the battery runs out. But the Prius Prime promises that it will still be extremely fuel-efficient once its electric charge is depleted. However, because it isn’t assembled in North America, the pricey Prius Prime won’t qualify for a federal tax credit of up to $7,500 that other PHEVs may be eligible for.

Toyota says the Prius Prime SE gets up to 52 mpg combined once the battery is depleted—just 5 mpg less than the most efficient version of the regular Prius. Higher trim levels get 48 mpg combined. Consumer Reports does our own fuel economy testing rather than taking a manufacturer’s word for it, and we’ll be sure to put it to the test when we buy our own Prius Prime soon.

Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota

The Prius Prime also promises to be quicker than the regular Prius, thanks to its extra power, with a claimed 0-to-60 mph time of just 6.6 seconds. It also debuts a new feature called Traffic Jam Assist, which uses a driver monitoring system to ensure that the driver’s eyes are on the road while the car automates some steering, braking, and acceleration tasks at speeds under 25 mph on limited-access highways.

We plan to purchase our own Prius Prime as soon as it goes on sale in May 2023. We’ll put it through more than 50 tests at the CR Auto Test Center, including those that evaluate acceleration, braking, fuel economy, handling, car-seat fit, and controls. We’ll also test Traffic Jam Assist on our new 1.5-mile ADAS Loop. CR members will get access to the full road-test results as soon as they’re available.

What it competes with: Kia Niro PHEV, Mini Cooper SE Countryman, Toyota RAV4 Prime

Powertrain: 220-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas-electric hybrid engine, continuously variable transmission; front-wheel drive

Price: $32,350-$39,170

On sale: May 2023

CR’s take: We’re glad to see the new Prius Prime get a longer electric driving range and more power, which may help this plug-in hybrid compete against purely electric vehicles. The new car also benefits from relatively straightforward interior design. Unfortunately, the lowered roofline affects cargo space and headroom in a way that detracts from the Prius Prime’s main selling point: practicality. Buyers of the Japan-built Prius Prime will also miss out on a potential tax credit for PHEVs that applies only to vehicles made in North America. That’s a big deal, because a fully-equipped Prius Prime costs almost $42,000 with all available options before a $1,095 destination fee.

The Prius Prime gets the same smooth, sleek look as the regular Prius, with a sharklike nose and a lower roofline than the previous model’s. There’s also an optional solar roof that can help recharge the car’s battery, albeit very slowly. It’s available only on the top XSE Premium trim. Higher trims also get 19-inch wheels; on the regular Prius we drove, we found that they negatively affected the ride quality, as larger wheels often do.

The rear door handles are hidden at the back of the rear window glass, a design choice that we don’t appreciate, because rear passengers may need to be coached on their operation. The last thing you need when you’re picking up your in-laws at the airport is to have to teach an introductory seminar on door opening.

Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota

Unlike the interiors of prior Priuses, the 2023 model’s is less like a spaceship. While the podlike instrument panel and steering wheel are similar to those in the all-electric bZ4X, the rest of the dashboard wouldn’t look out of place in a more pedestrian Corolla. Conveniently, there’s a volume knob on the infotainment system and physical buttons for frequently used functions. The Prius Prime’s gear selector moves down to the center console between the front seats (previously it was located higher, at the base of the center stack), but it still operates like a joystick, as on previous versions.

Higher trim levels get a larger infotainment touchscreen, wireless phone charging, a digital rearview mirror, and heated rear seats.

The newly chopped roof may cut into cargo space and headroom for rear passengers, however. On the regular Prius, that cuts out a minifridge’s worth of cargo room and takes away some of the practicality the model has been known for.

Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota

The Prius Prime gets a more efficient battery and a more powerful engine for 2023. A lithium-ion battery powers two motor-generators that work in tandem with a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine. Unlike the regular Prius, there’s no all-wheel-drive option. The Prius Prime can be driven in three modes: EV Auto Mode relies mostly on the battery for an EV-like driving experience around town. In HV/EV Auto Mode, the gas engine automatically turns on for steep hills and higher speeds. In Hybrid Mode, the Prius Prime automatically switches between gas and electric.

Toyota says the new powertrain is why the Prius Prime can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds—a massive improvement over the 10.2 seconds it took the prior Prius Prime to do the same sprint, according to Toyota. Although 0-to-60 times don’t tell the whole story of how a car performs, it’s heartening to see Toyota give the Prius some much-needed oomph, although acceleration in the regular Prius we drove was accompanied by cacophonous engine noise.

Hybrids tend to feel more sprightly when they’re accelerating from a stop with a burst of electric thrust, so we’ll have to wait until we drive it to find out whether the updated Prius Prime’s newfound power will help it execute highway merges and higher-speed passing maneuvers, as well.

The new Prius Prime comes standard with a whole bunch of advanced driver assistance systems. Like the current model, automatic emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian detection and lane departure warning (LDW) are standard. New for 2023 is standard blind spot warning (BSW) and rear cross traffic warning (RCTW). It’s the kind of impressive lineup of safety technology we’d like to see more automakers offer as standard equipment.

In addition to standard adaptive cruise control (ACC), one feature that’s new to Toyota’s lineup is something the automaker calls Proactive Driving Assist. It uses the vehicle’s radar and sensors to add a small amount of steering and braking to keep a proper distance from other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. We experienced a similar system on the updated Lexus RX, and so far we’re pretty impressed at how well it prevents tailgating.

Optional Traffic Jam Assist, which allows hands-free control of steering, braking, and acceleration on limited access highways, is notable for two reasons. First, it has a built-in driver monitoring camera, and the feature will not operate if the driver’s eyes are not on the road. Second, it’s part of a subscription package, much like GM’s Super Cruise.

Photo: Toyota Photo: Toyota

Keith Barry

Keith Barry has been an auto reporter at Consumer Reports since 2018. He focuses on safety, technology, and the environmental impact of cars. Previously, he led home and appliance coverage at Reviewed; reported on cars for USA Today, Wired, and Car & Driver; and wrote for other publications as well. Keith earned a master’s degree in public health from Tufts University. Follow him on Twitter @itskeithbarry.