The Prius Prime is sleek and stylish, but even more exciting are its substantial all-electric range, high fuel economy and pleasing driving characteristics. Charge it frequently and the Prime can really help save on gas. But the latest Prius does suffer from lackluster space for rear passengers and cargo.
Jared Gall started his career in the auto industry in 2001 with an internship at Car and Driver. He has written and edited many thousands of car reviews, technological deep-dives, industry analyses, and personality profiles. He is a correspondent at Edmunds and still has the 1969 Chevrolet C20 he dragged out of his parents' barn and drove until Car and Driver started giving him cars to evaluate.
Brian Wong has worked in the automotive industry since 2010, writing over 1,000 car-related articles and testing and reviewing hundreds of vehicles over the course of career. Brian is a senior reviews editor at Edmunds and has also contributed to Cars.com, Motor Authority and Green Car Reports. Brian has also been featured on MotorWeek as an expert for several car comparisons. He loves convertibles (the smaller the better) and hates paying for parking, so Los Angeles is both the right and wrong city for him.
Pros
Shows that a fuel-efficient can also be attractive
Powerful enough to keep up with traffic while retaining outstanding fuel economy
Can go more than 40 miles on all-electric power
Intuitive-to-use infotainment system
Cons
Sleek shape cuts into space for people and cargo
Gauge cluster blocked by the steering wheel and hard to see
Noisy when the gas engine kicks on
What's new
Redesigned with sleek new styling
New stiffer structure for improved ride and handling
More power and range from the plug-in powertrain
2023 model kicks off the fifth generation of the Toyota Prius
Overview
The Toyota Prius is fully redesigned for 2023, including the Prime plug-in hybrid version. A new, more powerful gas engine headlines powertrain improvements that nearly double the power of the outgoing car. The impact on fuel efficiency is minimal, but the improvement to drivability is tremendous.
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Toyota Prius Prime PHEV Insights
Trim:
Prius Prime SE
All Electric Range
45 miles
EPA Estimated Electric Range
The Prius Prime will automatically switch to gas when the electric battery is low.Electric cars typically experience 1-2% of range loss per year with slightly faster degradation over the first 50,000 miles as the car settles into its long term state, according to Recurrent's study of 15,000 EVs.
Estimated range mapThis map is a visual representation of the possible one-way and round-trips by this vehicle (on a full charge) from the geometric center of Columbus, Ohio. The depicted ranges are based on the estimated new vehicle range value provided by the EPA, rounded down to miles for one-way and miles for round-trip. Actual range will vary depending on the condition of this vehicle’s battery pack, how you drive, driving conditions and other factors.
240V Home ChargingEstimated total charging time when using a 240V outlet. This is either a 3-prong or 4-prong outlet used for appliances, for example a clothes dryer.
EV batteries should be kept at 30-80% charged to extend battery life.
8 yrs or 100,000 milesHybrid batteries are federally mandated to carry at least 8 years or 100,000 miles of warranty coverage from the manufacturer. Batteries that lose capacity more rapidly than expected should be eligible for replacement under warranty. Coverage of additional hybrid components beyond the battery itself will vary by automaker.
According to GeoTab’s data, if the observed degradation rates are maintained, the vast majority of batteries will outlast the usable life of the vehicle.
The 2023 Prime shares the basic Prius' gas engine, but it increases electric-motor output and battery capacity to enable an EV mode that will keep the engine off — even with the accelerator floored — until the battery is fully depleted. Quickness is not the Prius' mission, but the more potent output means it no longer strains to safely merge on the highway or keep up with traffic. This latest Prius is also more enjoyable to drive thanks to improved handling that doesn't sacrifice ride quality and comfort.
Altogether, the 2023 Prius Prime looks and feels a lot more like a gas-powered car than its predecessor and retains the fuel economy that has long made it a standout among the growing class of hybrid cars. For a thorough analysis of the Prime, read our test team's Expert Rating below.
Edmunds Expert Rating
Our VerdictThe Edmunds Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.
Great
8.1
out of 10
edmunds TESTED
The Prius Prime is sleek and stylish, but even more exciting are its substantial all-electric range, high fuel economy and pleasing driving characteristics. Charge it frequently and the Prime can really help save on gas. But the latest Prius does suffer from lackluster space for rear passengers and cargo.
How does the Prius Prime drive? The Prius Prime at times feels more like an EV than a traditional hybrid, especially during city driving where that instant torque makes the car feel responsive and agile. It's also capable of getting on the highway without the gas engine. While in EV mode, you can floor the accelerator and the gas engine won't turn on.
But we did find that the Prius Prime is noticeably quicker with both the engine and electric motor working in conjunction. At the Edmunds test track, our test vehicle sprinted from 0 to 60 mph time in a quick 6.9 seconds. A regular Prius is slower at 7.7 seconds to 60 mph. Structural updates and new suspension components in several areas have also improved the Prius Prime composure on the road. The steering is numb, but it feels precise with sharp turn-in and tracks straight on the highway with no effort.
Comfort
7.5/10
How comfortable is the Prius Prime? The Prius Prime's front seats offer enough support to be comfortable for longer stints. The rear seats are also comfortable. We like how the car rides smoothly over bumps and broken pavement. However, excessive tire, wind and engine noise under acceleration holds the Prius Prime back from being a fully relaxing car to drive. There's only a single climate zone, and the latest Prius Prime has lost some of its finer climate controls that previous models had, such as the ability to shut off the fans to all seats but the driver to enhance efficiency.
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How’s the interior? A conventional dashboard layout and well-placed controls make the Prius Prime's interior functional and easy to interact with. Less appealing is the digital instrument cluster. It displays too much information and looks cluttered as a result. Its placement and shape are also awkward. Most of our drivers found that when they adjusted the seat and steering wheel to their desired position, the top of the steering wheel partially blocked their view of the display.
The Prius Prime's latest design has also cut down on backseat room and visibility compared to older models. You have to duck down quite a bit to get into the back. Once you do get inside, headroom is in short supply for anyone more than 6 feet tall. Rear visibility is poor because of the small angled rear window and thick rear roof pillars.
Technology
8.5/10
How’s the tech? Our Prius Prime XSE test vehicle had the upsized 12.3-inch center touchscreen. We like the clean interface, responsiveness and Google-powered navigation of Toyota's latest multimedia system. Wireless connectivity for Android Auto and Apple CarPlay comes standard, along with a wireless charging pad on higher trims. But be careful: It's not cooled, so after about an hour in there your phone will come out feeling toasty. If you prefer to charge more conventionally, there are multiple USB-C ports spread throughout the cabin.
The lane keeping assistance system keeps the hybrid centered in its lane effectively, and acceleration and braking are smooth when using adaptive cruise control. Another feature, Proactive Driving Assist, provides subtle hints to the driver in everyday situations. If traffic slows ahead of you, the Prius will start to brake very subtly as you lift off the gas as a hint to start slowing down. It also flashes an LED strip on the dash if traffic in front of you pulls away. It would be easy for a system like this to be annoying enough to shut it off, but it never came across as overbearing during our testing.
But the new Traffic Jam Assist system is the opposite. It works at speeds of 25 mph and under and allows for hands-free driving while the adaptive cruise is engaged. Part of the system is an infrared camera that reads the driver's face to make sure the driver is paying attention. But the camera is always watching even if Traffic Jam Assist isn't on, and it's way too sensitive. The instrument cluster gets filled with warnings constantly if you look away for only a second (to adjust the climate controls, for example). And if you drive with a hand on top of the wheel the car will tell you to "Sit up" since it can't see your face.
Storage
8.0/10
How’s the storage? Open up the Prius Prime's hatchback and you'll have 20.3 cubic feet of cargo space available behind the rear seats, matching the regular Prius. This is more cargo space than you'll get from a similarly sized sedan's trunk, but it's less than previous Prius models offered. It's now shallower and skinnier than before, and we couldn't fit a set of golf clubs lengthwise across the back of the vehicle. The raised cargo floor might suggest some sort of underfloor storage, but there's none to be found.
Up front, the Prius Prime has a skinny-but-deep center console bin and a helpful rubberized space under the dash to store small items. The available wireless charging pad is conveniently located next to the gear shifter. The cupholders are a touch larger than usual and will fit most water bottles.
Fuel Economy
9.5/10
How’s the fuel economy? The Prius Prime boasts an EPA-estimated 44 miles of range for the SE and 39 miles for XSE models. This is excellent for a plug-in hybrid. On Edmunds' standardized test route, however, the Prius Prime had trouble hitting those targets. Our XSE test vehicle only covered 33.7 miles before the battery ran out of power and the gas engine started up. Still, the Prius Prime is a very efficient vehicle overall. On our route, our XSE test car got an observed 50.9 mpg.
Toyota estimates that it takes about four hours to charge the Prius Prime's 13.6-kWh battery pack on a 240-volt charger.
Value
9.0/10
Is the Prius Prime a good value? Toyota offers a three-year/36,000-mile standard warranty and a five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty. But on hybrids like the Prius Prime, the electrical components are covered for eight years/100,000 miles and the battery is covered up to 10 years/150,000 miles. Toyota also provides two years of free maintenance, something not often found outside the luxury sphere.
The price tag on the Prius has grown, but in the Prime that increase is at least offset by its enhanced EV abilities. Adding range means using even less gas and, in turn, those savings can add up more quickly. The Prius' interior quality has taken a step forward on this latest model, but there are still some obvious hard plastic panels. The doors feel a bit flimsy and make a tinny sound when you close them.
Wildcard
8.5/10
The Prius' dramatic makeover pulled it from the ranks of "ugliest car" lists to something sleek and cohesive, and the Prime builds on that with its expanded electric range and performance abilities. Rather than a glorified hybrid, it offers something akin to an EV experience and when the battery drains you still get over 50 mpg combined. The Prime has extra appeal over the standard Prius thanks to its efficiency, fun and enhanced value.
Which Prius Prime does Edmunds recommend?
Our pick would be the midlevel XSE. A modern hybrid doesn't feel sufficiently high-tech without the keyless entry that the XSE includes, and it nets buyers synthetic leather upholstery and heated front seats, as well as the ability to pick and choose from many of the XSE Premium's desirable features without having to pay for the whole kaboodle.
Toyota Prius Prime models
The 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is available in three trim levels: SE, XSE and XSE Premium. All are powered by the same 220-horsepower hybrid system. All-wheel drive is available on the non-plug-in Prius, but all Primes are front-wheel-drive only.
SE
The base model Prius Prime includes these standard features:
17-inch alloy wheels with covers
LED headlights
Rain-sensing windshield wipers
Height-adjustable front seats
Heated steering wheel
Automatic climate control
Keyless entry (driver's door only) and keyless start
8-inch touchscreen
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone integration (both with wireless connectivity)
Blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is in your blind spot during a lane change or while in reverse)
Six-speaker audio system
Every Prius Prime also comes with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0. It includes:
Forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking (warns if a front impact is imminent and applies the brakes if you don't respond in time)
Adaptive cruise control (adjusts speed to maintain a constant distance between the Toyota and the car in front)
Lane keeping assistance (steers the Prius back into its lane if it begins to drift over the lane marker)
Front cross-traffic warning (alerts you if a vehicle is about to cross your path and cause a collision)
XSE
The midlevel XSE adds the following to the SE equipment:
19-inch alloy wheels
Front and rear parking sensors
Keyless entry (for both front doors and the rear hatch) and keyless start
Synthetic leather upholstery
Power-adjustable driver's seat
Heated front seats
Wireless smartphone charging pad
Notable options and packages on the XSE include:
Fixed glass roof
12.3-inch touchscreen
Toyota's Digital Key system (allows the driver to use smartphone as a key)
XSE Premium
The range-topping XSE Premium adds:
Fixed glass roof
Power hatch
12.3-inch touchscreen
Ventilated front seats
Driver's seat memory settings
Eight-speaker JBL audio system
Toyota's Digital Key system
Notable options and packages on the XSE Premium include:
Solar panel on roof
Heated rear seats
Digital rearview mirror (allows you to see out the back even with a fully loaded cargo area)
The Advanced Technologypackage is only offered on the XSE Premium and adds:
Automatic parallel and perpendicular parking
360-degree parking camera (gives you a top-down view of the Prius Prime and its surroundings for tight parking situations)
2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT)
This car is so smooth and responsive. When fully charged it runs around 40 miles on pure electric, then seamlessly switches to hybrid mode. I've only put a little over 400 miles on it, but only had to run in hybrid mode once, when I took a trip of about 90 miles. I figure I burned about a quart of gas on that trip. I charge it at night when the electric rate is cheap - $.10 a kWh. … So I'm making a small contribution to saving the environment, and driving a smooth, thrifty, responsive car. What's not to like?
Fun and Enjoyable Drive - Premium Quality
5 out of 5 stars
Richard C., 07/25/2023
2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE Premium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT)
Let me preface this, I am a 6'3" man, and my wife is a 5'4" woman. We both drive this vehicle and live in an apartment with a garage with a standard 110v Outlet. We just took ownership of our vehicle, prior we had a 2017 Prius Prime, and this car is exceptionally better and worth the upgrade.
We chose the 2023 Prius Prime XSE Premium with the Sunroof, Advanced Technology Package, and … the all-weather mats. I will list out some really cool pros and features, then dive into an overall experience and cons.
Pros:
Vehicle is stable, fast, and a smooth drive. In all EV mode, it's no different than the 2017-2022 models, a bit slow, but still quick from 0-35. It's quiet and quite enjoyable, the JBL sound system is great too. Beyond this, the car itself when in Sport + EV Auto is insanely fast for a Prius, I can outplace the entry level Model 3 Tesla and merging onto the interstate with no long ramps (Thanks Seattle) is a breeze. Next, parking assist is flawless nearly, parallel parking, front parking, back parking, it's all super easy with the 360 birds eye view and digital rear camera. Trunk space is plentiful, a bit more than the 2017-2022 Prime Models, but the real benefit is the foam compartment underneath. We found this to be a great storage space for extra clothes, cleaning supplies, children's supplies, picnic gear and other odds and ends (think vacuum, trash bag, etc). Charging is fairly quick, and can easy go from 0-44 overnight with about 12kWh used, a bit less efficient than the older models, but that 40 miles of electric range is sweet. Heated seats and ventilated seats make this a super comfortable ride, and remote start makes sure the car is warm and defrosted or cool and sweet for summer or winter in Seattle.
One other fun note, we are a mix iPhone/Android family, I use the Google Pixel 7 Pro and my wife is on the iPhone SE 3rd Gen. The Android Auto is fantastic, maps and music are great and the screen is quite responsive. When I am driving, it auto selects my Pixel as the default device, but, when my wife drives (normally alone) it will auto select her iPhone. Apple car play is nice and wife thinks it's great. I will say, the Technology is next level, driving assist is great for Seattle Traffic and blind spot monitors are spot on.
Cons:
The instrument cluster is a bit weird, no matter what steering wheel position to have as a big guy, it's just odd. Wife struggles seeing through the wheel as well, although, not as much considering she sits a bit higher in the chair and is able to lower the steering wheel. This isn't so much a problem as it is weird when making turns and not being able to see your dash. Beyond this, back seats are only for people only 5'8", any taller and it's quite uncomfortable, good news is, we only have kids in the back seats.
The only other issue I have with the car is the price, we paid huge premiums, but still feel it was worth it, sold our old car for 3/4 of the purchase price of this vehicle so we have a small loan, but still, if you are looking for a budget, the better option is the standard LE Prime or the standard LE Prius.
Verdict (Personal Opinion):
This is the best Toyota vehicle we have ever owned, it's a great long-term family car as when the kids grow up, they will have all the comfort of the back seats with heated options, USB-C Chargers for Tablets/Phones. This build quality is stable, it handles extremely well, and overall feel like a luxury vehicle without the luxury cost. Personally I would be willing to pay almost $60,000 for this car as it drives and feels more like a BMW 330e or i4 M50 Sedan than a Prius Sedan.
5 stars for the car, -1 for outside issues
4 out of 5 stars
Rosci, 09/19/2023
2023 Toyota Prius Prime SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT)
The car itself is fantastic: resonsive all-electric mode with enough range to handle 90% of my driving, and great range on gas for longer trips.
However, there are production issues. The supply is far greater than the supply, so getting one is a challenge, and then there's the several thousands in dealer markup or overpriced options added on. You only get one key fob, due to the … chip shortage, with the second fob to be given eventually.
My partucular car came with "System failure, see dealer" displayed on the dash. I figured I'd have the warranty repair done at a closer dealer (I had to buy from a far-away dealer due to the supply shortage), and got 3 days to drive it around first.
It has been at the dealer for 42 days and counting, awaiting arrival of an electronics component. Supposedly will be fixed in 1-3 weeks more.
With the thou$and$ in dealer markup on the Prius and the $7k government incentive to buy a Tesla, There's a huge cost advantage for Tesla. We have a Tesla. The drivetrain and power are impressive, but I don't like the rest of the car at all, and recharging on trips is a prohibitive pain. I want my Prius Prime back.
Handles well, great MPG’s and quick
5 out of 5 stars
Dillon, 04/23/2024
2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT)
I’m 6’2” and 230 pounds and I do not have issues getting in and out of the car. I do a lot of driving and the driver’s seat is comfortable, I’ve only been in the passenger seat once and it was adequate. I like the plug-in hybrid and typically get about 45 miles out of the battery. I had a 2021 RAV4 prime and was always surprised how noisy the engine could be and hoped that issue would be … corrected in this car, but unfortunately not so. While cruising on the highway, the engine is not that noticeable but with any acceleration it is surprisingly noisy.
The ground clearance is almost an inch higher than the previous generation making oil changes with small ramps a piece of cake.
127 MPGeMPGe is the official metric that the EPA uses to measure the efficiency of alternative-fuel (including electric) vehicles. Just like regular MPG shows how far a car will travel on one gallon of gas, MPGe shows how far a vehicle will drive on 33.7kWh of electricity - the energy equivalent of one gallon of gasoline. Combined MPGe is the combined total of 45% city MPGe + 55% highway MPGe.
The Prius is one of few sedan/hatchback holdouts as the market moves en masse to crossovers and SUVs. Kia's upright Niro Plug-In Hybrid bests the Prius Prime in interior space, and those whose travel companions regularly include multiple adults over 6 feet tall will be much happier with the Niro. Cargo space, on the other hand, is a draw. As tends to be the case in car-versus-crossover showdowns, the lighter and more aerodynamic Prius Prime is far more efficient than the Niro PHEV.
Toyota Prius Prime vs. Hyundai Tucson Plug-In Hybrid
The current Tucson's chiseled, futuristic styling debuted for 2022. Inside it boasts an elegance that escapes the Toyota, as well as vastly more cargo and rear seat room. But the Hyundai is not available in all 50 states, and no matter where you drive it, its real-world fuel economy falls well short of the Prius Prime's.
Buyers who regularly exceed the plug-in Prime's electric-only range might be better served by the regular Prius. The Prime is 200-300 pounds heavier than the equivalent Prius, which is likely to blame for the plug-in's lower (but still impressive) fuel economy: a high of 52 mpg combined versus a max 57 mpg combined. That and lower pricing are strong arguments in any class, but especially in this one. Of interest to northern-climate buyers, the regular Prius also offers all-wheel drive, which is not available on the Prime.
No one could have ever accused the Prius of being anything other than efficient. Capable of achieving over 50 mpg without really trying, it was with some surprise when Toyota introduced the Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid variant of the standard Prius, back in 2017. Thanks to its somewhat low but not insignificant all-electric range, the Prime allowed buyers to try out the whole EV thing without fully committing to an electric vehicle.
For 2023 the Prius Prime gets a full redesign (as does the standard Prius), with an eye to not only improving the king of efficient cars but to helping the Prius stay relevant as full EVs become more popular. The new Prius has a stiffer structure for better handling and is slightly larger, longer and lower than the outgoing model. It's also a whole lot more powerful, thanks to a larger internal combustion engine as well as a new battery pack, which Toyota says adds nearly 50% to the Prime's EV-only range.
But the exterior styling will likely get most of the early attention as it replaces the previous Prius' "who did this to you?" design with something exponentially more stylish. It's the same for the inside as well, which gets a cabin with a much more traditional arrangement. Oh, and did we mention it comes with an available solar roof?
What's under the Prius Prime's hood?
It's not every day you get to announce that a new generation of a vehicle has gained nearly 100 horsepower, but here we are. With combined output between the engine and motor of only 121 horsepower, the last-generation Prius Prime didn't make a lot to begin with. But the 2023 Prime gets a larger 2.0-liter four-cylinder (up from 1.8 liters), as well as a larger 13.6-kWh battery pack.
Combined output is now 220 horsepower. The electric motor has gotten a gigantic boost in output: It makes 161 horsepower on its own and that's more than the last Prime made total. That power gets you a Toyota quoted 0-60 mph figure of 6.6 seconds for the 2023 Prime. While that's not exactly blazing by modern standards, it might as well be light speed for a car that previously couldn't hit 60 in under 9 seconds unless you pushed it out of a plane.
What's the Prius Prime's electric range and mpg?
The Prime's main mission is efficiency. The new model, thanks to a larger battery pack, has an increase of nearly 50% in electric-only range. The previous model could travel around 25 miles on purely battery power; the new Prime can travel an estimated 44 miles (SE models) or 39 miles (XSE) on a full charge. That's a significant improvement and only adds to the attractiveness of the Prime over the standard Prius
Toyota says the Prime will get up to 52 mpg in combined city/highway driving for the SE trim, or 48 mpg combined for the XSE and XSE Premium trims. That means the Prime gets about 5 mpg less than the regular Prius but is still an outstanding fuel-sipper, especially once you factor in its all-electric range. It's also better than what could be considered the Prime's closest competitor, the Kia Niro Plug-in Hybrid (48 mpg and 33 miles of range).
Charging the Prius Prime's battery pack from zero to 100% will take about four hours when using a 240-volt power source, Toyota says.
How does the Prius Prime drive?
The Prius Prime shares many of the same characteristics as the regular hybrid, such as a smoother ride quality, sharpened steering, and a bit of a fun character from behind the wheel. The stock tires don't provide much grip, which is surely for efficiency reasons, but I imagine the Prime would be a pretty fun car to toss around corners if you put some grippier tires on it.
Similarly impressive is how much the Prime relies on electric power. When it's in EV mode, it feels a lot like driving a purely electric vehicle. Acceleration is brisk, and you can get on the highway or pass someone without even a hint of the gas motor. Bumping the electric motor's power up so much was absolutely the right call and it makes the Prius Prime feel better all around.
How comfortable is the Prius Prime?
The suspension has been stiffened to provide the car's improved handling, but the Prius Prime is still comfortable and quiet on the road. The front seats are supportive but don't have much bolstering. Some drivers might desire more of a bucket shape to help keep them in place around turns.
The back seat is less comfortable. The low cut of the roof for styling purposes has made getting in and out more difficult for taller passengers. That same shape has also cut into rear headroom, so if you're more than 6 feet tall you should make a pitch for one of the front seats whenever possible.
How's the Prius Prime's interior?
While the outside of the Prius Prime has received a radical transformation, the interior, thankfully, hasn't been left alone either. Drawing elements from Toyota's fully electric bZ4X, the Prius Prime has lost its questionable use of a central-mounted instrument panel in favor of a more traditional display directly behind the steering wheel.
The rest of the dashboard has received a similarly more traditional layout and features a climate control with physical buttons and relocates the gear selector to the center console, although it still features the Prius' unique shift pattern. Thanks to the Prius Prime's low hood and expansive windshield and side windows, visibility is excellent to the front and sides. Rear visibility, however, is not so ideal. The split liftgate has been removed, leaving less of a window to see through via the rearview mirror. A digital camera display in the rearview mirror is thankfully available as an option.
An 8-inch multimedia touchscreen is standard and a larger 12.3-inch screen is available. For comparison, the previous generation's screen options were slightly smaller, at 7 inches and 11.6 inches. Synthetic leather upholstery (Toyota calls it SofTex) is available, as are heated and ventilated seats, a wireless phone charger, a digital key, a JBL audio system and a fixed-glass panoramic sunroof.
How's the Prius Prime's tech?
The tech in the Prius Prime also gets a generous boost thanks to a long list of standard and available advanced driver aids. Every Prius Prime comes with Toyota's Safety Sense 3.0 suite of updated safety systems, which includes automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams and something Toyota calls Proactive Driving Assist. The system uses the Prime's cameras and radar to anticipate driver inputs and will gently brake the Prime into curves and help maintain a safe distance between you and the vehicle in front of you. It will also gently steer the Prime to help avoid obstacles. Based on my initial drive, I found this system to be pretty helpful and mostly unobtrusive.
Traffic Jam Assist is another standard feature on the Prime and combines adaptive cruise control and lane keeping assistance to provide a low-speed hands-free driving experience in, you guessed it, traffic jams. This is the first Toyota to use this system, which debuted previously in Lexus vehicles. The system has quite a few specific operating conditions — among them, it only activates under 25 mph and uses a camera to monitor the eyes of the driver, making sure they're on the road ahead and not buried in James Joyce's Ulysses, or whatever people seem to read when they're mired in rush-hour traffic.
It works well in those conditions, centering the car well in its lane. If another car merges sharply in front of you, it will ask you to take control of the steering again so keep your hands ready. There is one major annoyance: The sensor to watch your eyes is mounted atop the steering column, so if you like to drive with a hand on top of the wheel the car constantly alerts you to sit up since it can't see your face.
Another trick piece of tech is the available solar roof. It allows for onboard charging of the Prime's battery when parked and can deliver power to other accessories, like the phone charging and air conditioning, when the Prime is driving around. The only trade-off is the loss of the dual-pane glass roof when you select this option.
Edmunds says
The Prius Prime puts the "EV" in "PHEV." Its more powerful electric motor and larger battery improve range and performance in a single stroke. Our ergonomic issues that we have with the new Prius overall remain, but it's undeniable that its makeover has paid dividends.
FAQ
Is the Toyota Prius Prime a good car?
The Edmunds experts tested the 2023 Prius Prime both on the road and at the track, giving it a 8.1 out of 10. Edmunds’ consumer reviews show that the 2023 Prius Prime gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews) What about cargo capacity? When you're thinking about carrying stuff in your new car, keep in mind that the Prius Prime has 20.3 cubic feet of trunk space. And then there's safety and reliability. Edmunds has all the latest NHTSA and IIHS crash-test scores, plus industry-leading expert and consumer reviews to help you understand what it's like to own and maintain a Toyota Prius Prime. Learn more
What's new in the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime?
According to Edmunds’ car experts, here’s what’s new for the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime:
Redesigned with sleek new styling
New stiffer structure for improved ride and handling
More power and range from the plug-in powertrain
2023 model kicks off the fifth generation of the Toyota Prius
To determine whether the Toyota Prius Prime is reliable, read Edmunds' authentic consumer reviews, which come from real owners and reveal what it's like to live with the Prius Prime. Look for specific complaints that keep popping up in the reviews, and be sure to compare the Prius Prime's 5-star average consumer rating to that of competing vehicles. Learn more
Is the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime a good car?
There's a lot to consider if you're wondering whether the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is a good car. Edmunds' expert testing team reviewed the 2023 Prius Prime and gave it a 8.1 out of 10. Our consumer reviews show that the 2023 Prius Prime gets an average rating of 5 stars out of 5 (based on 6 reviews). Safety scores, fuel economy, cargo capacity and feature availability should all be factors in determining whether the 2023 Prius Prime is a good car for you. Learn more
How much should I pay for a 2023 Toyota Prius Prime?
The least-expensive 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). Including destination charge, it arrives with a Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of about $32,350.
Other versions include:
SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $32,350
XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $35,600
XSE Premium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT) which starts at $39,170
What are the different models of Toyota Prius Prime?
If you're interested in the Toyota Prius Prime, the next question is, which Prius Prime model is right for you? Prius Prime variants include SE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), XSE 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT), and XSE Premium 4dr Hatchback (2.0L 4cyl gas/electric plug-in hybrid CVT). For a full list of Prius Prime models, check out Edmunds’ Features & Specs page. Learn more