If it seems like weve been ready for the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime for months, its as a result of now we have. Each the Prius and Prius Prime had been revealed on the Los Angeles Auto in November of 2022. This was adopted shortly by a primary drive of the common Prius. Now, 5 months later, we lastly get our first crack on the plug-in Prime, however it nonetheless gainedt present up in sellers till Could.
So, is it definitely worth the wait?
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2023 Toyota Prius Prime
In a phrase: Sure.
Take every little thing thats superior in regards to the Prius, then add extra energy, extra effectivity and greater than 40 miles of all-electric vary, and bam! You might have a sure-to-please package deal.
Along with the horny redesign for 2023, the Prius Prime additionally will get a bigger 13.6 kWh lithium-ion battery, which will increase all-electric vary by a whopping 75 p.c over the earlier Prime. So, the place the previous-gen Prime bought about 25 miles of all-electric vary, the 2023 mannequin will get as much as 44 miles. After all, that is simply with the bottom SE grade on the smaller 17-inch wheels, however even the sportier XSE and XSE Premium, that are filled with extra content material and larger wheels, stand up to 39 miles of all-electric vary. So, nonetheless a win.
Much more of a win: You’ll be able to plug in at house to a daily wall jack to recharge your battery in 11 hours. You probably have a level-2 charger or a 240-volt outlet, you possibly can cost up in simply 4 hours.
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As if the electrical vary improve wasnt sufficient, the 2023 Prius Prime additionally boosts horsepower by 100 with a bigger engine and bigger electrical motor. Complete system output is 220 horsepower and 139 pound-feet of torque. Whereas I wouldnt name operating from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds precisely thrilling, its definitely efficiency sufficient for freeway merges and passing maneuvers. With 20 extra horsepower than the common Prius, it has just a little further pep that provides some sportiness into the combination.
Alongside these strains, one of many large differentiators between Prius and Prius Prime would be the sporty crimson inside accents on the latter. And whereas the Prius has LE, XLE and Restricted trim ranges, Prime goes for the sportier SE, XSE and XSE Premium trims. Distinctive exterior bits unique to the Prime embrace brighter element components under the grille, and clear taillights on the Prius Prime.
Much like the Prius, for 2023 the Prime will get an ordinary digital drivers show, extra premium supplies, and Toyotas new infotainment system.
With the redesign, youll possible see extra individuals contemplating the hybrid and its plug-in counterpart for the primary time. Its straightforward on the eyes and doesnt drive like a slug. Simply the alternative, truly. Whereas Id cease in need of saying the Prius and Prius Prime are enjoyable, theyre undoubtedly not boring.
The 2023 Prius Prime particularly comes off as a easy and quiet driver with good facilities (assume out there heated-and-ventilated seats) and a few actually cool tech. Along with the out there 12.3-inch display screen and the Toyota infotainment system that may let you know a joke should you ask it to, the Prime is the primary Toyota to get Site visitors Jam Help. This permits for hands-free driving at speeds under 25 mph. Although I didnt get to check the system within the Prime (mockingly, we didnt encounter stop-and-go-traffic in California on this journey), I’ve used it within the new Lexus RX, and it really works rather well. You will need to observe, nevertheless, Site visitors Jam Help is simply out there on the 2 prime trim ranges, and its tied to a Drive Join subscription after a 1-year trial.
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After all, all this great things comes at a premium, and the bottom SE is $3,580 greater than the outgoing base LE Prius Prime. And the PHEVness additionally comes with a worth, because the Prime prices $4,900 greater than the common Prius. Pricing for the 2023 Prius Prime is as follows, together with the $1,095 vacation spot payment:
SE ($33,445): This base trim stage has commonplace 17-inch alloy wheels, an 8-inch touch-screen show, material seats, six USB-C ports, leather-based trimmed steering wheel, rain-sensing wipers, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert. Choices embrace entrance and rear park help with computerized braking.
XSE ($36,695): This trim provides machine-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, heated entrance seats, energy adjustable drivers seat, leatherette seating surfaces, good key and wi-fi charger in addition to entrance and rear park help with computerized braking. Choices embrace a 12.3-inch touchscreen show, mounted glass roof and the power to make use of your cellphone as a key.
XSE Premium ($40,265): This top-tier trim provides the JBL premium audio, 12.3-inch touchscreen, mounted glass roof, heated-and-ventilated entrance seats, energy liftgate and the power to make use of your cellphone as a key. Choices embrace the 360-degree digicam show, digital rearview mirror, heated rear seats and superior park help.
One other large choice solely out there on the XSE Premium: the 185-watt photo voltaic roof, which is able to charging the battery whereas parked, in addition to supplying energy to auxiliary features whereas driving. This selection will price $640.
When you are paying much more for the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime, and it’ll in all probability take you a decade to break even on the premium vs. fuel prices, I desire to have a look at the time prices. Stopping at a fuel station as soon as a month or each different month versus as soon as every week is value one thing. However youll must determine if its value practically $5k.
I for one am glad Toyota ditched the cutesy bowtie taillights from the prior-gen and opted to imitate the Prius glossy styling. I like the brand new tech in addition to the trip and dealing with. And for me, somebody on the petite facet of the spectrum, the driving place was good.
Total, I believe the 2023 Prius Prime raises the bar on PHEVs, and should youre prepared for electrification however have vary anxiousness, the Prius Prime serves as a pleasant bridge.
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2023 Toyota Prius Prime Gallery
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