Redesigned from the ground up for the 2023 model year, the Prius can be had in either hybrid or plug-in attire. For 2024, the latter version received quite a few additional standard goodies for a meager $325 more than the starting price of the 2023 model.
Beginning with a head-up display, the Prius Prime now comes with standard Integrated Streaming via Apple Music or Amazon Music. The lock/unlock chime is also different. According to the Japanese automaker, it was designed to be a little more pleasant and distinct compared to the old chime.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 is also standard across the board, a suite of safety and driver assistance technologies that includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Proactive Driving Assist. Highlights further include Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, Lane Tracing Assist, Lane Departure Alert w/ Steering Assist, and Pre-Collision System w/ Pedestrian Detection.
Proactive Driving Assist is especially interesting, for it provides gentle steering and braking to make the driver’s life that much easier in certain scenarios. Blind Spot Monitor, Safe Exit Assist, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert are standard as well.
The 2024 Toyota Prius Prime is available in three distinct flavors, beginning with the SE. This grade flaunts 17-inch alloys rather than steelies with plastic wheel covers, 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment, 6-way adjustable front seats upholstered in black and red fabric, Smart Key for the driver’s door, no fewer than six USB-C ports, leather on the steering wheel’s rim, an electronic parking brake, and rain-sensing wipers.
This one costs $32,675 excluding the $1,095 destination fee, whereas the better-equipped XSE can be yours at $35,925 before optional extras. Bear in mind that upgrading to the XSE or XSE Premium comes with a small penalty in terms of electric range. Instead of 44 miles (71 kilometers) for the SE, the nicer trims get 39 miles (63 kilometers).
Photo: Toyota
All three rely on a 13.6-kWh battery pack of the lithium-ion variety, which powers a hybrid electric motor-generator system with up to 161 horsepower. The combined output rating is 220 horsepower. Charging takes roughly four hours from a 240-volt charger or 11 hours at 120 volts. Exclusively front-wheel drive, the Prius Prime relies on an Atkinson-cycle internal combustion engine that belts out up to 150 horsepower and 139 pound-feet (188 Nm).
Customers going for the XSE can expect 19-inch alloys, 8-way adjustable front seats with heating, SoftTex upholstery, Smart Key for both front doors and the hatchback, a wireless phone charger, and parking assist with automatic braking for extra peace of mind. A fixed glass roof and a 12.3-inch touchscreen are the only noteworthy options.
Last but certainly not least, the XSE Premium is rocking a sticker price of $39,370 for the 2024 model year. It adds the aforementioned touchscreen infotainment system, JBL Premium Audio with eight speakers, heated and ventilated front seats with memory for the driver, a power hatchback, and Digital Key for using one’s phone as the key. Options include the Panoramic View Monitor system, a digital rearview mirror, heated outboard rear seats, Advanced Park, and a solar roof.
The 185-watt solar roof turns sunlight into electricity. In addition to charging the high-voltage battery while the vehicle is parked, the solar roof assists the hybrid system while driving by powering accessories like the air conditioning system.
Rated at 52 miles per gallon (4.5 liters per 100 kilometers) on the combined test cycle, the Prius Prime requires 6.6 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour (97 kilometers per hour). At press time, this fellow doesn’t have any direct competitors.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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