First Spin: 2023 Toyota Prius Prime | The Daily Drive | Consumer Guide® The Daily Drive

2023 Toyota Prius Prime

If it appears like we’ve been ready for the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime for months, it’s as a result of we’ve got. Each the Prius and Prius Prime have 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 gained’t 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 part that’s superior in regards to the Prius, then add extra energy, extra effectivity and greater than 40 miles of all-electric vary, and bam! You have got a sure-to-please bundle.

2023 Toyota Prius Prime

Along with the attractive 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 acquired about 25 miles of all-electric vary, the 2023 mannequin will get as much as 44 miles. In fact, that is simply with the bottom SE grade on the smaller 17-inch wheels, however even the sportier XSE and XSE Premium, that are full of extra content material and larger wheels, rise 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 dwelling to an everyday wall jack to recharge your battery in 11 hours. When you have a level-2 charger or a 240-volt outlet, you may cost up in simply 4 hours.

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2023 Toyota Prius Prime

As if the electrical vary improve wasn’t 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 wouldn’t name working from zero to 60 mph in 6.6 seconds precisely thrilling, it’s actually efficiency sufficient for freeway merges and passing maneuvers. With 20 extra horsepower than the common Prius, it has somewhat further pep that provides some sportiness into the combination.

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2023 Toyota Prius Prime

Alongside these strains, one of many large differentiators between Prius and Prius Prime would be the sporty purple 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 embody brighter element parts under the grille, and clear taillights on the Prius Prime.

Much like the Prius, for 2023 the Prime will get a regular digital driver’s show, extra premium supplies, and Toyota’s new infotainment system.

With the redesign, you’ll seemingly see extra folks contemplating the hybrid and its plug-in counterpart for the primary time. It’s straightforward on the eyes and doesn’t drive like a slug. Simply the alternative, really. Whereas I’d cease in need of saying the Prius and Prius Prime are “enjoyable,” they’re undoubtedly not boring.

The 2023 Prius Prime particularly comes off as a clean and quiet driver with good facilities (assume accessible heated-and-ventilated seats) and a few actually cool tech. Along with the accessible 12.3-inch display and the Toyota infotainment system that may inform you a joke when you ask it to, the Prime is the primary Toyota to get Visitors Jam Help. This permits for hands-free driving at speeds under 25 mph. Although I didn’t get to check the system within the Prime (sarcastically, we didn’t encounter stop-and-go-traffic in California on this journey), I’ve used it within the new Lexus RX, and it really works very well. You will need to notice, nevertheless, Visitors Jam Help is barely accessible on the 2 prime trim ranges, and it’s tied to a Drive Join subscription after a 1-year trial.

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2023 Toyota Prius Prime

In fact, 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 value, 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 price:

SE ($33,445): This base trim degree has customary 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 embody entrance and rear park help with automated braking.

XSE ($36,695): This trim provides machine-finished 19-inch alloy wheels, heated entrance seats, energy adjustable driver’s seat, leatherette seating surfaces, good key and wi-fi charger in addition to entrance and rear park help with automated braking. Choices embody a 12.3-inch touchscreen show, fastened glass roof and the power to make use of your telephone as a key.

XSE Premium ($40,265): This top-tier trim provides the JBL premium audio, 12.3-inch touchscreen, fastened glass roof, heated-and-ventilated entrance seats, energy liftgate and the power to make use of your telephone as a key. Choices embody the 360-degree digital camera show, digital rearview mirror, heated rear seats and superior park help.

One other large choice solely accessible 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.

While you’re 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 want to take a look at the time prices. Stopping at a fuel station as soon as a month or each different month versus as soon as per week is price one thing. However you’ll need to resolve if it’s price almost $5k.

I for one am glad Toyota ditched the cutesy bowtie taillights from the prior-gen and opted to imitate the Prius’ smooth styling. I like the brand new tech in addition to the experience and dealing with. And for me, somebody on the petite aspect of the spectrum, the driving place was good.

Total, I feel the 2023 Prius Prime raises the bar on PHEVs, and when you’re prepared for electrification however have vary nervousness, the Prius Prime serves as a pleasant bridge.

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