The Toyota Prius has long been a significant car in automotive history, though not necessarily the most sought after. Toyota plans to change this perception with a fresh redesign of the well-known hybrid model.
Historically, the Prius has had unique, some might say quirky, styling. However, the redesigned 2023 model may be the first to actually be called attractive. This new look extends to the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid variant that shares its style with the regular Prius, helping to bridge the gap between traditional hybrids and fully electric cars.
For 2023, the Prius Prime boasts a larger battery, allowing for a significant all-electric range. This upgrade does come at a cost, with a $4,900 premium over the basic Prius model. Prices start at $33,445 for the base Prius Prime SE, going up to $36,695 for the mid-level XSE, and topping out at $42,510 for the fully loaded XSE Premium model.
This 2023 model marks the third generation of the Prius Prime. The earlier versions had a somewhat muddled evolution. The first iteration looked just like the standard Prius but carried the Prius Plug-In Hybrid badge. The name “Prime” was introduced in the second generation, which also featured unique styling. Toyota now uses the Prime designation for its plug-in hybrid versions of existing models, such as the RAV4 Prime. The current Prius Prime looks similar to the standard Prius, which is a positive change.
The new Prius has undergone a dramatic makeover, starting with its profile. The windshield has a sleek, supercar-like angle, the roof is lower, and the rear is chopped off, reducing aerodynamic drag and giving it a striking silhouette reminiscent of a 1970s Lotus Esprit, albeit with four doors and a rear hatch.
The improved proportions complement this sleek look. The wheels sit closer to the car’s corners, eliminating the awkward overhangs of previous models. Toyota designers also opted for a cleaner look, resisting the urge to over-design the exterior.
Inside, the weird central instrument cluster from previous models is gone, replaced by a unit from the all-electric Toyota bZ4X. It’s positioned in front of the driver but too far forward on the dashboard for some drivers, causing partial obstruction by the steering wheel. While the seating position is low and sporty, the interior materials feel more budget-friendly. Despite the stylish exterior, Toyota acknowledges that many of these cars will likely be used as taxis and rideshare vehicles.
Interior space remains largely unchanged. While headroom is slightly reduced, front-seat legroom remains the same, and rear-seat legroom has actually increased slightly. The new Prius Prime also offers more cargo space, increasing to a maximum of 23.8 cubic feet, a 4.0 cubic feet improvement over the old model.
Most other mainstream plug-in hybrids are crossover SUVs, like the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV or Toyota’s own RAV4 Prime, making them less comparable in terms of interior space. The Kia Niro PHEV has some SUV-like features but is closer to the Prius Prime, offering a bit more headroom and rear-seat legroom but less cargo space.
The previous Prius Prime dated back to 2017, so a tech upgrade was overdue. The 2023 model replaces the old portrait-style infotainment touchscreen with an 8.0-inch (or 12.3-inch on higher trims) landscape version. It also features a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity, and six USB ports.
Toyota’s latest infotainment system significantly improves the experience. The old system’s graphics aged quickly, while the new one looks sharper and includes a helpful menu bar and enhanced voice recognition. The touchpad controls have been replaced with more substantial buttons and knobs.
The top XSE Premium model offers digital-key functionality and, optionally, a digital rearview mirror for $200. However, this feature isn’t essential given the Prius Prime’s large rear window.
Standard driver-assist features include forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Optional features include blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and park assist. Traffic Jam Assist, which allows for hands-free driving in stop-and-go traffic up to 25 mph, requires a subscription to Toyota’s Drive Connect telematics plan.
Performancewise, the Prius Prime has seen improvements. Its gasoline engine’s displacement has increased from 1.8 liters to 2.0 liters, and the battery capacity has grown from 8.8 kWh to 13.6 kWh. While it remains front-wheel drive, the total system output has risen to 220 horsepower from the previous 121 hp. This increase is reflected in the zero-to-60 mph time dropping from 10.2 seconds to 6.6 seconds, making it much quicker than before.
In regular driving, the Prius Prime behaves more like an electric car than a hybrid. It can handle most driving needs on electric power alone, providing a smoother driving experience compared to the hybrid mode’s gas and electric blend.
While it’s not a sports car, the Prius Prime handles corners competently. Its chassis balances well between maintaining stability during changes in direction and absorbing road impacts for passenger comfort. Though not built for aggressive driving, it surpasses expectations for Prius driving dynamics.
Toyota estimates that the 2023 Prius Prime will offer up to 44 miles of electric range in base SE form and 39 miles for the XSE and XSE Premium models, a significant improvement over the previous model’s 25 miles. However, fuel economy in hybrid mode is expected to dip slightly from 54 mpg combined to 52 mpg.
The Prius Prime also offers a solar roof that can charge the battery while parked, although the gains are modest. After six hours in direct sunlight, you might only gain about 2.7 miles of range. Charging via a standard method takes about four hours with a 240-volt Level 2 AC charger or 11 hours with a 120-volt household outlet.
Safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA are pending, but the Prius Prime will continue to have the same warranty coverage as other Toyota hybrids. This includes a three-year, 36,000-mile basic warranty, an eight-year, 100,000-mile hybrid component warranty, and a 10-year, 150,000-mile battery warranty.
To get the best tech features, you might consider upgrading from the base Prius Prime SE to the XSE, which comes with a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and optional digital key functionality. This setup costs about $37,430, compared to the $39,170 base price of the XSE Premium. The higher trim allows for additional features like the solar roof and digital rearview mirror, but these may not add significant value.
Overall, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime represents a refreshing take on plug-in hybrids. Rather than following the trend of making plug-in hybrid SUVs, Toyota focused on creating the best Prius Prime possible. It’s stylish, functional, and offers more electric range, cargo space, and a user-friendly infotainment system, making it a standout option for those considering a plug-in hybrid.