The Toyota Prius has long been synonymous with hybrid efficiency, and the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime takes this legacy a step further into plug-in hybrid territory. While I might have a soft spot for the standard Prius, the Prime variant introduces a new dimension of eco-friendliness and driving dynamics. Building upon the foundation of the iconic hybrid, the Prius Prime aims to offer the best of both worlds: electric vehicle (EV) driving for shorter commutes and the reassurance of a gasoline engine for longer journeys.
Unpacking the Prius Prime Plug-in Hybrid System
At the heart of the 2017 Prius Prime lies Toyota’s proven Hybrid Synergy Drive (HSD) system, albeit with significant enhancements to accommodate its plug-in nature. This system centers around a 1.8-liter Atkinson cycle four-cylinder gasoline engine, producing 95 horsepower and 105 pound-feet of torque. Complementing this engine is a 53 kW electric motor, contributing 71 horsepower and 120 pound-feet of torque. The combined system output is rated at 121 horsepower, a figure that reflects the complexities of hybrid power integration. Notably, Toyota does not specify the combined system torque.
The key differentiator of the Prius Prime is its larger 8.8 kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack. This significantly dwarfs the standard Prius’s 0.75 kWh battery, enabling the Prime’s plug-in capabilities and extended electric driving range. However, this increased battery capacity comes at a spatial cost. The battery pack’s placement reduces the cargo space to 19.8 cubic feet behind the second row seats, down from the standard Prius’s 24.8 cubic feet. This compromise is further accentuated if the privacy cover is utilized.
Despite the reduced cargo capacity, the larger battery unlocks a crucial benefit: a manufacturer-estimated 25 miles of all-electric driving range on a full charge. Charging the battery from empty takes approximately 2 hours using a Level 2 charger.
The EPA fuel economy ratings for the 2017 Prius Prime are impressive. It achieves a combined 133 MPGe (miles per gallon equivalent) for the initial electric miles and 54 MPG for gasoline-powered driving thereafter. In real-world testing involving daily charging and around 50 miles of driving, fuel economy figures between 80 and 90 MPGe were observed. Drivers with more consistent charging habits or shorter commutes with less highway driving could potentially achieve even higher efficiency.
Driving Dynamics and the Electric Experience
One of the noteworthy aspects of the Prius Prime is its enhanced electric driving experience. It appears that the plug-in hybrid system is designed to utilize electric power more readily when a sufficient battery charge is available. In EV mode, the Prius Prime exhibits confident acceleration and the characteristic instant torque of electric motors, resulting in a responsive throttle feel.
Beyond just efficiency, the plug-in hybrid system offers valuable flexibility. Drivers can manually switch between hybrid, electric, and automatic drive modes. This allows for strategic conservation of electric range, for instance, reserving it for urban segments of a commute where electric driving is most effective in maximizing overall fuel efficiency. Alternatively, drivers can opt for the automatic mode, allowing the car’s computer to manage the power sources optimally.
In standard gasoline-electric hybrid operation, the added weight of the battery pack – approximately 300 pounds more than the standard Prius – becomes noticeable. While the Prime utilizes lightweight composite materials in its construction, the extra mass impacts handling dynamics. In hybrid mode, the electric motor’s torque assist is less pronounced, making the added weight more apparent during uphill driving, highway passing, or cornering.
Dashboard Technology: Form Over Function?
Beyond the plug-in hybrid powertrain, the most significant changes in the 2017 Prius Prime are found in the dashboard and infotainment system, which presents a mixed bag of enhancements and drawbacks. The Prime features a large, vertically oriented 11-inch color touchscreen display. While visually striking and likely to impress passengers with its vibrant colors, the system’s user interface and functionality leave room for improvement.
The glossy screen is prone to glare and reflections, particularly in bright sunlight, often rendering the display difficult to view. Conversely, at night, even at its dimmest setting, the screen can be excessively bright and distracting.
The user interface design is complex and somewhat disorganized. The home screen is dominated by a large map display that also serves as a backdrop for widgets providing access to audio, climate controls, and navigation input. In urban environments, the map’s detail can become visually overwhelming, ironically hindering the ability to easily locate the vehicle’s position. The map’s dynamic movement based on displayed elements further contributes to the interface’s busyness.
Many criticisms leveled at Toyota’s Entune infotainment system also apply to the Prius Prime’s system. Navigating menus for basic functions like changing radio stations can be unnecessarily convoluted. While the learning curve is manageable, the system never becomes truly intuitive or enjoyable to use. The smaller screen found in the standard Prius might arguably offer a less distracting and more user-friendly experience. Comparisons to systems like Volvo’s Sensus, which effectively utilizes a similarly large display with superior design and usability, highlight the shortcomings of the Prius Prime’s infotainment system.
Driver Assistance and Safety Features
Despite the infotainment system’s shortcomings, the 2017 Prius Prime does offer a suite of driver assistance and safety features. However, the abundance of audible alerts can be excessive. While alerts for blind spots, rear cross-traffic, and lane departure are understandable and helpful, the constant beeping when reversing the vehicle is unnecessarily intrusive and, unlike other alerts, cannot be disabled. This contributes to a less-than-pleasant parking experience.
On the positive side, the driver assistance suite includes valuable features such as adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and lane departure steering assist. These features can be particularly useful, especially when the distracting dashboard display diverts attention. Furthermore, the Prius Prime is available with semi-automatic parallel parking. While generally a beneficial feature, during testing, the system once curbed the wheel, an unusual occurrence that led to manual parking for the remainder of the evaluation.
Conclusion: A Better Prius, But With Compromises
From a mechanical standpoint, the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime delivers on its promise of enhanced fuel efficiency and electric driving capability. The increased overall fuel economy and the silent EV range are significant advantages. The Prime’s electric mode acceleration and throttle response are also commendable. Toyota has successfully built upon the solid foundation of the Prius to create a capable plug-in hybrid.
However, the Prius Prime introduces compromises that detract from its overall appeal. The complex and distracting dashboard technology, combined with practical limitations such as reduced cargo space and added weight, make the Prime less user-friendly for daily driving compared to the standard Prius.
The 2017 Prius Prime starts at an MSRP of $27,100 for the base Plus trim and extends to $33,100 for the top-tier Advanced model. Adding an $885 destination charge brings the as-tested price of the Advanced model to $33,985 before incentives. However, significant tax credits and incentives, potentially reaching up to $4,500, can make the Prius Prime PHEV surprisingly affordable, even potentially less expensive than the standard Prius in certain configurations. For instance, the base Prime Plus can be up to $2,085 less expensive than the entry-level standard Prius. For budget-conscious eco-minded drivers who can tolerate the infotainment system’s quirks, the base Prius Prime offers a compelling value proposition.
Nevertheless, those seeking a plug-in hybrid with a longer electric range (over 50 miles) and a more refined infotainment system should consider alternatives like the 2017 Chevrolet Volt, which offers superior MyLink technology and a more extended EV range, potentially leading to greater long-term savings and a more enjoyable ownership experience.
