What is it? The Prime is the most expensive and technologically advanced Prius to date. It'll go 25 miles on battery power alone.
Key Competitors: Chevrolet Volt, Ford C-Max, Lexus CT
Base Price: $33,985 As Tested: $33,985
Highlights: The Prius Prime Advanced uses a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle I4 to supplement its two permanent-magnet AC sychronous motors. MPGe is rated at 133 and it will uses electric power up to 84 mph.
Our Opinion: What makes the Prius Prime 'Prime?' It’s the most-expensive Prius available and Toyota calls it the “ultimate” Prius, saying all materials and the hybrid tech and whatnot are optimized for efficiency. The Prime has a bigger battery to double range on pure electricity to 25 miles -- good, but still not as good as the Sonata plug-in or the Volt. Toyota claims Prius engineers targeted the 25-mile range based on research showing that distance meets 50 percent of U.S. commuters’ needs.
The Prime drives like, well, a Prius. In other words, it is what it is -- all about efficiency rather than fun. When I got in it, it was charged up so I never heard the engine, just silent EV cruising. So I didn’t experience what I remember from previous Prius drives like the strangely revving engine, spinning CVT, nasty, grabby brakes, and general lack of oomph. In EV mode I actually thought the car wasn’t bad for zipping around town. The brakes felt much better than I remember, throttle response wasn’t bad and – surprise! – the agility in corners wasn’t horrible either. I also thought the steering was quite good, another surprise. Still, a sport sedan? Certainly not. But it’s not supposed to be.
As for that $33K sticker, yes, I gasped. The Prime’s base price is $27,100, though, and there are the tax credits. They vary according to what state you live in but the federal credit seems to average about $4500. So we’re looking at $22,600. That’s gettin’ there…
--Wes Raynal, editor
Vehicle Model Information
ON SALE: Now
BASE PRICE: $27,100
AS TESTED PRICE: $33,100
POWERTRAIN: 1.8-liter I4, permanent-magnet AC motor, continuously variable automatic transmission, FWD
OUTPUT: 121 net horsepower (hybrid system total)
CURB WEIGHT: 3,375
FUEL ECONOMY: 53/55/54 mpg; 133 mpge
PROS: About as efficient a hybrid commuter as you can find
CONS: Still limited EV range; gets expensive
