Even though opinions about plug-in hybrids are mixed, I always thought they were good cars to have if you cared about the environment and wanted to experience the advantages of zero-emission propulsion without the downsides of not having an internal combustion engine under the hood. The Prius Prime's performance in this independent range test makes me reconsider. Here's why.
The all-new Toyota Prius is a stunner. Seeing it not bastardized into a crossover SUV would have been enough. But the brand took a step further and transformed this sensible car into something you love looking at. It's inviting. You want to discover it.
The liftback sedan kept its advantage of being quiet and "good for sneaking up on" certain people (a "Weeds" TV show reference) but also evolved into a plug-in hybrid.
American buyers are looking at an MSRP of $32,675 for the Prius Prime SE (PHEV) or $27,650 for the Prius LE (HEV). However, it's worth noting that prospective customers have been dealing with modest markups at certain dealers. Avoid them by asking more than one dealership about what they have in stock, in transit, or what they can do for you without going over the recommended price.
Since the time I drove the BMW X5 xDrive45e on a lengthy European journey, PHEVs have become a favorite of mine. That duality is great to have if you're the type of person who likes to discover all the novelties without the downsides.
Photo: Toyota
Make sure that small, high-voltage battery is charged, and your fuel efficiency will be amazing. You could even commute on electricity alone if the journey isn't too long. That's a bonus for the environment and your wallet. Charging at home or work will remain much cheaper for quite some time!
Planning a road trip with your PHEV? Let the drivetrain do its thing, and you should be able to save on gas.
That might convince you to go for the Prius Prime SE, a front-wheel-drive PHEV with an EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 52 mpg or 127 MPGe. The agency also found that this 220-hp Toyota can go around 44 miles on electricity alone. Theoretically, that should allow the car to go 600 miles before you have to refuel the 10.6-gallon gas tank and recharge the 13.6-kWh (gross) energy storage unit.
Fortunately, we don't have to just take what the EPA or Toyota say for granted. Daily Motor performed a real-world range test and respected the agency's procedure: the driver started the journey in all-electric mode and drained the high-voltage battery on a highway before refueling to the brim and heading back on the high-speed road.
Do note that the test unit is an XSE Premium. It costs $43,703 and has more equipment than the SE trim. Sadly, that doesn't mean more sound deadening was added. With the engine off, the car can be noisy on typical concrete Californian highways.
Photo: Toyota
The journey began in Eco mode with the A/C system set on auto. The outside temperature was around 55 degrees Fahrenheit (13 degrees Celsius). The PHEV consumed all the available electrons after 29.9 miles at an average speed of 70 mph. That's about 2.9 miles per kWh. But the journey continues comfortably because the internal combustion engine kicks in seamlessly.
With the battery drained, the driver topped off the gas tank and headed back on the highway to continue driving for 100 miles at an average speed of 70 mph. This time, however, the journey was done solely on gas.
The fuel efficiency was 42.4 mpg, so you should be able to cover around 445 miles solely on what's in the gas tank. Add what the high-voltage battery can offer, and you get a total real-world range of nearly 475 miles when traveling on highways.
Finally, another thing we should consider is California's rules regarding fuel blends. In winter, the gas blend provides a slightly lower energy content. That means the car will consume more to go faster.
Still, that doesn't do much about the outcome: the "base" hybrid Prius without a large high-voltage battery might be the better buy if you're not spending too much time within city limits. It's cheaper, lighter, and might cost less to properly maintain over the years.
Car shows on TV and his father's Fiat Tempra may have been Florin's early influences, but nowadays he favors different things, like the power of an F-150 Raptor. He'll never be able to ignore the shape of a Ferrari though, especially a yellow one. Full profile
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