Toyota Prius prime problems
The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid (often abbreviated as the Prius PHV and known as the Prius Prime in North America, South Korea, and New Zealand) is a plug-in hybrid liftback manufactured by Toyota. The first-generation model was produced from 2012 to 2016. The second-generation model has been produced since 2016. Production of the third-generation model began in 2023.
The Prius Plug-in Hybrid was the second most sold plug-in electric car in 2012, and became third-best all-time in December 2014. As sales declined after the end of its production, the Prius PHV fell to fifth place in the global ranking by November 2015, after being surpassed by both the Tesla Model S and the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV. As of December 2017, sales were led by North America with 66,800 units, followed by Japan with 48,800, and the European market with 13,100 units. The U.S. was the leading country market with 65,703 units sold by 2017. As of December 2019, cumulative global sales of both Prius plug-in generations totaled 209,000 units.
Concept and demonstration models
The Prius Plug-In Hybrid Concept was exhibited at the September 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, the October 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, and the December 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show. The vehicle was based on the third-generation Toyota Prius (model XW30) but outfitted with 5.2 kWh lithium-ion batteries. The selected battery capacity is the minimum required for a vehicle to be eligible for the U.S. federal tax credit of US$2,500, which under the American Clean Energy and Security Act of 2009 is applicable to the first 200,000 plug-ins sold by an automaker.
After displaying the concept version in these three shows, a global demonstration program involving 600 pre-production test cars began in late 2009 and took place in Australia, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, New Zealand and the United States. The demonstration vehicles were made available for lease to fleet and government customers, of which, 230 were delivered in Japan beginning in late December 2009, 125 in the U.S. by early 2010, and 200 in Europe in spring 2010. All program vehicles were equipped with data tracking devices to allow Toyota to monitor the car's usage for further development of the plug-in hybrid system.
The pre-production Prius Plug-in used three different batteries: two added batteries to provide all-electric drive and the standard hybrid battery which engages when the first two are depleted, allowing the car to operate like a regular hybrid Prius. According to Toyota, when the vehicle started, it operates in all-electric mode, drawing electrical power directly from the first battery pack. When the first battery was depleted, it disconnected from the circuit and the second pack engaged. When the second pack was depleted, it disconnected from the circuit and the vehicle defaulted to conventional hybrid mode, using the main battery as the sole electrical power source. Pack one and pack two would not reengage with the circuit until the vehicle was plugged in and charged.
According to Toyota, the demonstrator was rated at 1.76 L/100 km (134 mpg‑US; 161 mpg‑imp) on the Japanese JC08 cycle with a combined efficiency based on 43.6% of driving in EV mode, and CO2 emissions of 41 g/km. Fuel efficiency operating as a gasoline-electric hybrid, like the regular Prius, is 3.3 L/100 km (72 mpg‑US; 86 mpg‑imp) with CO2 emissions of 76 g/km.
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Toyota Prius prime model years
Common Toyota Prius prime problems
The Toyota Prius Prime, a plug-in hybrid vehicle, has been praised for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly features. However, as with any vehicle, there have been some reported issues and complaints from owners. Here are some common problems based on owner feedback and recall information:
- Brake Booster Pump: Toyota has also issued a recall for certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles due to a potential issue with the brake booster pump. The brake booster pump may fail, causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. This issue can be resolved by dealers inspecting and, if necessary, replacing the brake booster pump free of charge.
- Electrical System Issues: Some owners have reported issues with the electrical system, particularly in the 2013 Toyota Prius Plug-In Hybrid model year. These issues include problems with the hybrid electrical system, which can lead to a loss of power or other electrical malfunctions. While not all 2013 models are affected, it is worth noting that this model year had a higher number of complaints compared to other years.
- Infotainment System: Some owners have expressed dissatisfaction with the infotainment system, particularly in the base model, which requires a physical connection to a cable to connect a phone. The infotainment system has been criticized for being inferior to those found in other vehicles, with touch screen controls that can take the driver's attention away from the road.
- Limited Trunk Space: The Prius Prime's battery takes up a significant amount of trunk space, which can be a limitation for some owners, particularly those who need to transport larger items. This issue has been noted in several model years, including the 2017 and 2020 models.
- Lack of Manual Controls: Some owners have expressed a desire for more manual controls for various functions, as the touch screen controls can be cumbersome and require the driver to take their eyes off the road.
- Wires Chewed by Rodents: A specific issue has been reported for the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, where wires have been chewed by rodents, leading to electrical problems. While this issue is not unique to the Prius Prime, it is worth noting as it has been reported more frequently for this model year.
In summary, the Toyota Prius Prime has been praised for its fuel efficiency and eco-friendly features, but like any vehicle, it has had some reported issues. These include problems with the hybrid propulsion system, brake booster pump, electrical system, infotainment system, trunk space, and manual controls. Some model years, such as 2013 and 2017, have had a higher number of complaints compared to other years. It is essential for potential buyers to be aware of these issues and consider them when making a purchasing decision.
What is the issue with the Prius Prime?
Toyota is recalling around 211,000 examples of its model-year 2023-24 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles for a faulty electronic rear door latch. Approximately 55,000 of the vehicles affected in the recall are in the U.S. In affected vehicles, water can enter and short-circuit the electronic rear door latches.
What is the most common problem of Toyota Prius?
A list of some of the most common issues Prius owners have to deal with.
- Bluetooth Echos During Calls. ...
- Musty and Moldy A/C. ...
- Unintended Acceleration. ...
- Rodents Chew Soy-Coated Wires. ...
- Prius Headlight Problems. ...
- Prius Brake Defects. ...
- Toyota Excessive Oil Consumption.
How long will a Prius Prime last?
How long do Toyota Prius Primes last? You can expect this vehicle to survive a maximum of 500,000 miles, with most making it to 300,000-400,000 miles. This number will provide at least two decades of ownership.
What happens when Prius Prime runs out of battery?
If the battery is fully charged, Prius Prime runs on the electric motors only. When the battery runs out, it operates like Prius, using both the gas engine and electric motors to drive the car as they are needed and available.
Percentage distribution of complaints by Toyota Prius prime years
We have researched Toyota problems and analysed all the complaints filed against Toyota Prius prime cars and compiled the top 5 most problematic Toyota Prius prime model years:
- Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Toyota Prius prime 2020
- Toyota Prius prime 2018
- Toyota Prius prime 2022
- Toyota Prius prime 2019
Below you can see the percentage distribution of known problems by Toyota Prius prime model years.
Distribution of the number of complaints by Toyota Prius prime years
We've also compiled a chart for you with the number of complaints about Volkswagen Jetta cars of certain model years:
Toyota Prius prime car problems categorized by type of issue
After analysing all complaints related to Toyota Prius prime , it was concluded that the most common issues with these cars are:
- Visibility/wiper problems
- Service brakes problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Vehicle speed control problems
The graph below shows statistics for all Toyota Prius prime vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Distribution of the number of complaints where the accident occurred by Prius prime model years
A total of 33 complaints were registered in which the accident occurred. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with fire by Prius prime model years
There were a total of 2 complaints that resulted in a fire. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
Distribution of the number of complaints with injuries by Prius prime model years
There were a total of 13 complaints that resulted in a injuries. In the graph you can see the distribution of the number of complaints by model year.
The NHTSA has received 178 complaints about various vehicle components related to the Toyota Prius prime . Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for Toyota Prius prime vehicles.
Latest 25 complaints
Toyota Prius prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-10-20
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKAMFP8M3
- Components: FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
- Summary: My vehicle is equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, which includes Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) and a Pre-Collision System. Today, while driving with DRCC engaged, my vehicle followed a leading car and appropriately slowed down to 2 mph as we approached a signalized intersection. However, when the leading vehicle changed lanes, a gap was created between me and a new lead vehicle, which was fully stopped. Despite this, the DRCC system accelerated to 5mph and collided with the stopped vehicle.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-08-16
- Date Complaint: 2024-10-20
- VIN: JTDZN3EU3HJ
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: While driving I heard noises, like “flap,flap,flap”. Pulled over to look at the tire and saw that the tire was peeling. Changed to the donut spare tire and went to “Firestone” 5 days later to have a new tire put on because the original service shop, “Mr King auto services center”, would not take any responsibility for a the tire that was purchased and installed by them 6 months prior. I went to Mr Tire 2 days after this happened and was basically told there was nothing they could do and said it was the alignment. Firestone said my alignment was fine and gave me paperwork to show what was checked. Cooper P215/50R17 (90W)
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-21
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-30
- VIN: JTDKARFU5H3
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: While driving the speed limit of 70mph on a major highway, the sunroof on my 2017 Toyota Prius exploded. There was no warning of any kind: no other traffic nearby so no rock or debris from another vehicle; no overpass or bridge so nothing from above; it was a mild sunny day of 76 degrees so not a weather factor; and by the angle of the glass that remains being in an outward position rather than inward, reveals to me that it was from inside out, not from outside in as if it were a rock hitting. It just exploded. I was the only person in the car. Thankfully, the visor was shut on it or the shattered glass would have caused injury and of greater serious concern is just the sudden sound of what sounded like a bomb going off over my head was enough to cause a reaction which easily would result in an accident. It was a terrifying experience! I was lucky no other vehicles were nearby and could react and safely get off the road. I called 911 immediately and reported it. I have read many such claims from other Toyota owners online (see ToyotaNation.com and search by "exploding Sunroof") and even from a technician at my nearby Toyota Collision Center that it just happened to a friend of theirs also. This is not a one time issue. When I took the car to the Collision Center for an estimate and inquired about the damage, they could find no recall on it by Toyota. This is certainly a dangerous and hazardous issue that needs to be addressed asap before someone is seriously hurt or there is a fatality.
Toyota Prius prime 2021
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-17
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-25
- VIN: JTDKAMFP3M3
- Components: SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: The contact owns a 2021 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while driving 45–50 MPH and approaching a stop sign, the brake pedal was depressed but the vehicle failed to respond. The driver continued to pump the brake pedal, but the vehicle failed to respond and depressed to the floorboard. The vehicle accelerated, veered across the road, jumped the curb, and stopped. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted, and an engineer determined that the brakes were working properly. The failure mileage was approximately 34,000.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-03
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-22
- VIN: JTDKBRFUXH3
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Coolant leaking into exhaust And engine also vehicle suddenly stops for no reason now engine is completely broken due to the coolant going into the motor oil
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-15
- VIN: JTDZN3EU0HJ
- Components: STRUCTURE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2017 Toyota Prius V. The contact stated that while her husband was driving approximately 70 MPH, there was a loud explosion coming from the rear of the vehicle. The contact stated that after stopping to inspect the vehicle, it was discovered that the passenger’s side rear hatch strut had exploded into pieces. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-07-03
- VIN: JTDKARFU7H3
- Components: ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Dashboard pop up came up saying that the grille shutter is inoperable to visit a dealer. Went online and noticed there were recalls for my Prius year and because emissions is affected I contacted Toyota financial customer service who said to go to a dealer and that they would fix no charge. Went three times to the dealer and they did not want to honor the recall. Charged me $200 to run diagnostics on the vehicle and confirmed that the code that was being recalled matched. They made excuses and in the end did not fix. The pop up appeared March 2024 and since then I now have another pop up appear about the hybrid system overheating due to them not fixing. I went to a local mechanic who said it was the dealers responsibility since there are service bulletins but they do not want to help. The car has stalled out on the freeway almost leaving me to get hit and my fuel has gotten worse.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-23
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-30
- VIN: JTDKARFPXH3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Jbl touchscreen 11.6 on Prius prime plugin 2017 has capacitive buttons like FM AM SPEAKER/Audio, and resistive buttons like Volume and Sufio not registering a finger touch or pressure. All other icons on touchscreen work and respond. Bluetooth works but no sound when a text message is read from my iPhone. Started when heat index was 107 on June 23. With climate change I am concerned that EV and PHEV touchscreens may need to be recalled to prevent this kind of failure. Mechanic said it WAS NOT FUSES OR BATTERY, and AICHATGBT proffered a software glitch or a neede update
Toyota Prius prime 2022
- Date Of Incident: 2024-06-22
- Date Complaint: 2024-06-25
- VIN: JTDKAMFP8N3
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,HYBRID PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2022 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated while depressing the accelerator pedal, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The contact stated multiple unknown warning lights had been temporarily illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer however, the cause of the failure could not be determined. Upon further investigation, the contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 21V734000 (Engine and Engine Cooling, Hybrid Propulsion System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-04-02
- Number Of Injuries: 1
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKARFP5H3
- Components: POWER TRAIN
- Summary: The contact owned a 2017 Toyota Prius Prime. The contact stated after the vehicle was in the park position and exiting, the vehicle accelerated on its own in reverse. The contact mentioned when she parked, the front tires pointed towards a curb which allowed her to get inside the vehicle and to depress the brake pedal. The vehicle continued accelerating, crashed into two trees on the front driver's side and front passenger side, jumped the curve, and crashed into a fence where the vehicle came to a stop. The contact mentioned that she was a professional driver for a living and assured that the failure was not a user error. A police report was not filed due to the incident occurring on her property. No injuries were sustained. A Toyota representative inspected the vehicle at the contact's residence to diagnose the vehicle but the results were not available. The unknown local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was traded in at the dealer and the contact no longer owns the vehicle. The contact mentioned that after the failure incident, an unknown manufacturer recall was opened related to unintended acceleration. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and opened a case. The failure mileage was unknown.
Toyota Prius prime 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-03-26
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-27
- VIN: JTDKARFP0L3
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: I purchased Goodyear Assurance MaxLife 195/65 R 15 from Sam's Club in Kingston on August 2023. On [XXX] my tire blew out on the inner sidewall of my tire. When I spoke with an employee from the automotive department in Sam's Club about my tire, the person said " Let me guess, was it an Assurance MaxLife?" I said "yes, how did you know?" The employee said " this is like the 19th one with the same problem. I'm shocked their not a recall on them." So I paid for a new tire and the next day decide to check to if their was any recalls on the tires. I didn't find any. So I decided to make this report for others. Hope this help! INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2023-12-15
- Date Complaint: 2024-03-11
- VIN: JTDKARFP9H3
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: Each time I use the USB port behind the cup holders, my vehicle's electrical system goes through a power-down cycle. This has happened several times over the years while I was driving. I no longer use that particular USB port for safety reasons. I reported this to my Toyota dealer, but they could not replicate the problem while I was there, so nothing was ever done. My younger son was driving the car and nearly had a wreck when the electrical system power-cycled while he was driving. He has been instructed to not use the USB ports.
Toyota Prius prime 2020
- Date Of Incident: 2024-01-07
- Date Complaint: 2024-01-10
- VIN: JTDKARFP0L3
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: The car had about 8000 miles on it. It was parked in Garage the night before. In the morning the outside temperature was 39F. During my 30 minutes driving, the front defrost was turned on. Afterwards it was parked on driveway and at that time the windshield was fine. 6 hours later, I noticed a spiderweb like crack under the camera section on the front windshield. The crack was about 11 inch long. It looks like the glass could not handle the temperature change.
Toyota Prius prime 2018
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-21
- Date Complaint: 2023-11-06
- Crash: 1
- VIN: JTDKARFPXJ3
- Components: STRUCTURE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: My 2018 Toyota Prius Supreme was parked too far away from the curb in front of a house where we were invited, in a residential area in Naperville IL. I entered the car to park it properly. I had my foot on the brakes and pressed the starting button for the engine to turn on. I then put the car on reverse and suddently the car accelerated uncontollably. Went on the grass, hit the neighbor's mailbox and stopped by crashing on a tree. I was in shock but luckily not injured. Other guests were present and witnessed the incident. Police was called in and issued a report. The car was declared by Progressive Insurance Co as a total loss.
Toyota Prius prime 2017
- Date Of Incident: 2023-10-16
- Date Complaint: 2023-10-17
- VIN: JTDKBRFU0H3
- Components: VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
- Summary: On 10/16/23 I was turning slowly into a parking spot and my car suddenly accelerated without my pressing the accelerator. I slammed on the break and the car stopped. It was frightening because I could have hit someone or something but luckily the car stopped before that happened. I believe that this was a malfunction of the accelerator. This has not been checked or reported to anyone yet but I will be calling Toyota to have it checked. There have been no warning messages.
Recalls Toyota Prius prime
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the Toyota Prius prime.You can explore the year of the Volkswagen Jetta you are interested in by selecting it from the list.
- Model: Toyota Prius prime 2022
- Report Received Date: 2021-09-22
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECU/ECM):SOFTWARE
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022 Prius and Prius Prime vehicles. The Engine Control Unit (ECU) software may falsely detect an error and shut down the hybrid system, causing a loss of drive power.
- Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Dealers will update the ECU software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 18, 2021. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-800-331-4331. Toyota's number for this recall is 21TB07/21TA07.
- Model: Toyota Prius prime 2019
- Report Received Date: 2019-07-24
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Consequence: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.
- Model: Toyota Prius prime 2020
- Report Received Date: 2019-07-24
- Manufacturer: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing
- Components: ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
- Summary: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2019 Lexus LS500, LC500, ES300h, UX250h, LS500h, Toyota Prius, RAV4 HV, 2019-2020 Toyota Prius Prime, and 2020 Corolla HV vehicles. The brake booster pump may fail causing a deactivation of the Vehicle Stability Control system and a loss of braking assist. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 126, "Electronic Stability Control Systems."
- Consequence: Deactivation of the vehicle stability control system or a loss of braking assist increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and, if necessary, replace the brake booster pump, free of charge. The recall began September 20, 2019. Toyota owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-270-9371 and Lexus owners may contact Lexus customer service at 1-800-255-3987. Toyota's numbers for this recall are K1L/K0L. Lexus' numbers for this recall are K2F/KLF.
Latest negative Toyota Prius prime car reviews
Latest positive Toyota Prius prime car reviews
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Vehicle year: 2018
No complaints so far! Riding the Prime in EV mode is an absolute joy. I did have a minor parking lot collision, and unfortunately, the cost for OEM parts was very high. However, I was lucky enough to have it covered by insurance.
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Vehicle year: 2018
The 2018 Prius Prime is just like the 2017 model, except for a fun new feature - the infotainment screen plays a melody when you start the ignition! I owned a 2017 Prius Prime for over 20k miles and never had a single issue. When I decided to trade it in for a 2018 model, it was simply because I wanted a different color. The battery always charged to 100% at home and at public charging stations, and with a price of around $25k (after tax incentives and rebates), it's a great deal for a top-of-the-line Prius. In some regions, Toyota cash incentives can be as high as $5k on top of all tax incentives. If you're considering a Honda Clarity, be aware of potential charging problems - Toyota is definitely the way to go! So what are you waiting for? Get off the couch and go buy one already!
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Vehicle year: 2019
I recently traded in my 13-year old Honda Fit for a more environmentally friendly vehicle, and I couldn't be happier with my choice. I opted for a slightly used 2018 Prius Prime Advanced, which had only 7480 miles on it, and it has exceeded my expectations in every way. While I loved my Fit, the Prime is much quieter, more comfortable, and significantly more energy efficient. It offers both hybrid and pure electric modes, making it far less polluting than even my Fit, which was rated as an 'ultra low emission vehicle'. In fact, the EPA rates the Prime at 78 grams of pollution per mile in hybrid mode, compared to 287 grams per mile for the Fit, and of course, zero pollution in electric mode. The Prime also offers three driving modes: 'economy', 'normal', and 'power', but I have found that the economy mode provides adequate zip for merging with traffic on the freeway without sacrificing energy efficiency. However, the other modes are available if needed. In terms of energy efficiency, the EPA predicts up to 25 miles on a full battery charge, but I have consistently been getting 30 to 35 miles on a charge, and have been able to do all my local driving in the Asheville NC area in pure electric mode, averaging a little over 5 miles per kWh over 500 miles so far. The EPA also rates the Prime at 53 mpg on the highway, but during a test trip through the western NC mountains, down to Atlanta and back, I used only 8.136 gallons of gas for 493 miles (60+ mpg) using hybrid mode only. I purchased a Poniie PN2000 electric monitor through Amazon to measure charging electricity, so I have exact electric use data per mile. I believe that the EPA instrumentation is unable to account for the significant amount of battery recharging that occurs from downhill runs and momentum charging that happens on slow-downs for stop lights. Overall, this is a beautifully engineered vehicle, and I personally love the sleek styling as well. The only downside, which may be an issue for some, is the lower luggage capacity.The Prius Prime has slightly less capacity than a regular Prius due to its larger battery, but with the rear seats folded down, there is still plenty of room for baggage for two people. Although I miss being able to put my bike in the back, the greatly improved energy efficiency and significantly lower environmental impact make it a fair tradeoff. As an update, I recently completed a round trip from Asheville, NC to Plainfield, IN, covering slightly over 500 miles each way, plus another 100 miles of partly local driving using the hybrid engine only. I averaged just over 66 mpg for the trip, and the Prius Prime was comfortable, easily driven, and generally enjoyable. The adaptive cruise control option was a particular stress reliever, especially with multiple traffic slow-downs associated with road construction along the way. I would highly recommend the value of this option on any vehicle. After 8 months of ownership, the Prius Prime continues to exceed expectations. A second road trip of over 900 miles confirmed the previous cited road mileage of mid 60s, while after a little over 3000 miles of local battery-only (EV mode), I continue to average over 5 miles per kWh. If you're considering purchasing a Prius Prime, it's worth noting that I have a 110 ground-fault protected power outlet in my garage, making recharging even at the slow rate convenient.If you're looking for an economical choice, a slightly cheaper 'regular' Prius might be a better option than going to a charging station, even a free one, to get 35 miles of charge. It's important to keep in mind that speed is the enemy of economy with any vehicle. During my experience, driving over 75 miles on fairly flat Interstate at 68 to 70 mph lowered my mpg to just less than car-reported 58. However, I seem to do better in mountains where there is opportunity for momentum recharging of the battery on down-hills. When the speed limit dropped to 65, and my speed accordingly, overall car-reported gas mileage climbed back to 63 mpg. This appears doubly true in battery-only (EV mode). Even 65 mpg chews up stored energy rapidly, reducing my range to 28 from the usual 32 to 35 miles. Slower traffic and 35 to 45 mph speed limits are a much more efficient use of EV mode. I choose my local routes with those considerations in mind to obtain the 5.5+ miles per kWh I have been achieving. For me, the few minutes of delay are well worth it for the economic gains. The Prime defaults to battery and Eco mode every time it is started, but one can select the hybrid-only Eco-mode with the 'HV/EV' button. So, I normally save running on battery for travel on secondary roads and use only hybrid mode on fast roads or interstates. If you're not concerned with such things, you may not obtain the full value of a plug-in. I hope the above information is helpful rather than boring. Update 10/26/22: The car now has 15,970 total miles (8520 of those miles are mine.) My average EV miles per kWh have remained 5.25 with highs over 6 miles per kWh under ideal conditions and lows around 4.6 at worst. Usual EV range remains 30 to 35 miles. When I bought the car, the odometer registered 57.5 lifetime miles per gallon, but it now indicates 153.1 mpg--perhaps the best indication of how much I'm able to use pure EV mode. Because of age, not miles, my second oil change is scheduled for next week--the only cost beyond fuel and electricity.My review of 'far exceeding expectations' continues. I absolutely love this car! Edmond's asked for an update, so here's one for April 29, 2023. Although I have little to add, after 21 months of ownership, all of the above is validated. I can only add that in EV mode, temperature does make a difference. In the moderate spring weather we're currently having in Asheville, where no A/C or heat is required, my EV mileage per kWh has climbed to 5.9 miles per kilowatt, as measured by my PN2000 watt meter during charging. With free tire rotations from Discount Tire, my only maintenance over 21 months and 11,394 miles has been two oil changes and replacement windshield wipers. The lifetime gas mileage reported by the car is currently at 155.3 mpg. Over half my driving is in EV-only mode, thus the high miles per gallon. It's worth repeating, however, that availability of home charging is critical to the car's value. The car predicts 5 hours 40 minutes to go from zero to full charge, but my experience on my regular 110 circuit is under 4 hours 45 minutes, and I'm seldom charging from empty, so it's shorter. Installation of a 2-hour charging 220-volt circuit has not been worth the significant cost to me. I hope this information is helpful.
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Vehicle year: 2017
You'll be happy to know that you can get 32 miles on electric mode, which should be enough for your daily commute. However, it's worth noting that the cargo space is quite limited and the car can only seat 4 people.
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Vehicle year: 2017
The Prius Prime has a few cons, such as limited cargo space due to the battery and slower acceleration compared to a WRX. However, the vehicle has many pros that make up for these minor drawbacks. The passenger room is generous, and even a rear-facing car seat can fit comfortably behind the passenger seat. The car is also very fuel-efficient, and after driving over 650 miles, the tank is still 80% full since I plug it in at home and work. The ride is quiet and comfortable, and the controls are easy to use once you get used to them. The car is packed with safety features, and it has great expected reliability. Additionally, there's no range anxiety, and it's more luxurious than expected for the price, with heated leatherette seats with lumbar support and a huge touchscreen. Overall, the Prius Prime is a tremendous value, especially considering the expected $6500 back in electric vehicle incentives. It's a great way to decrease your carbon footprint, and it's more affordable than similarly equipped entry-level electric vehicles and most other plug-in hybrids.
Are you having problems with your Toyota Prius prime?
Gus Pfeffer 2025-05-12
Vehicle year: 2021
This is my 3rd prius. The drive is fine. The entertainment system is not. It was fine when I got. Third push notification for updates, and it doesn't work right. I left it in the I heart app last night, this morning it wouldn't connect . You can't get out of it, to the radio, if it won't connect to toyota app. I have had to forget and reconnect blue tooth several times. I would have rather had a CD player than the apps that freeze.
Immanuel Schroeder 2025-04-05
Vehicle year: 2021
The vehicle experiences a screen freeze and power loss after being parked, which requires opening and closing the driver's door multiple times to reset and regain power. Additionally, all defaults are changed after the power loss. Despite being disappointed and surprised by this issue, I am confident in the expertise of the Toyota dealer and trust that they will resolve the issue promptly.
Gerhard Williamson 2025-01-10
Vehicle year: 2018
This car has the most road noise out of any car I've owned, and the low beam headlights are terrible. However, the lane departure warning is nice, and the seats are typically Toyota - very supportive and comfortable. The fit and finish are typical Toyota perfection. Overall, I believe this is the most reliable and affordable EV on the market, although it should be noted that it is not a luxury car.
Alex Mayer 2025-01-03
Vehicle year: 2019
This car has the most road noise out of any car I've owned, and the low beam headlights are terrible. However, the lane departure warning is nice, and the seats are typically Toyota - very supportive and comfortable. The fit and finish are typical Toyota perfection. Overall, I believe this is the most reliable and affordable EV on the market, although it should be noted that it is not a luxury car.
Jamal Sanford 2024-11-27
Vehicle year: 2019
I've owned this car for just under 6 months now and overall, I find it very comfortable with a smooth ride and good acceleration. However, there are a few oversights that can be frustrating. Firstly, there is no way to open the trunk from inside the car and the trunk itself is manual, heavy and very high. It would be great if there was an automatic trunk open feature like many other cars have. Secondly, the AC operation button to cool the car before you get in is not very practical. It only works from about 15 feet away and turns off when you open the car door, so there's not enough time for the car to cool down before you turn it off. Thirdly, the front window visors are short and cannot be extended when rotating the visor to the sides. This is a feature that I have seen in other American and Japanese cars and it would be great if it was included in this car too. Lastly, I was disappointed to find out that the system cannot connect to an iPad, even though the option is listed in the sources. It would be nice to access my audio books in this technologically advanced vehicle! Overall, these are minor inconveniences that I encounter almost daily. Despite these issues, I still enjoy driving this car.