Re-engineered and stylishly redesigned, the 2023 Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid has more power and up to 44 miles of battery-only driving. But it is also much more expensive.
The redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is more powerful, with up to 44 miles of battery-electric driving. (Photos courtesy of ToyotaUSA)
Table of Contents
3 Cool Features
‘Sexy’ New Body Style
The Refined Interior
Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain
Charging at Home
Can You Name These Safety Abbreviations
2023 Prius Prime Pricing
Standard Features By Trim Level
Specifications
Owners of the previous-generation Toyota Prius Prime will not be happy if, just for the heck of it, they test drive a 2023 Prime model, a plug-in hybrid. Comparing the old model with the completely redesigned and re-engineered 2023 Prius Prime is like comparing a canoe with a streamliner.
Improvements in power, ride quality, and interior accommodations are near-luxury in a more rewarding presentation. And now, with a larger electric-drive motor and a larger four-cylinder engine, the battery driving range was improved to 39 to 44 miles, from 25 miles in the previous model.
Built on the second-generation TNGA-C platform, the 2023 Prius Prime has a lower center of gravity, reduced weight, and increased body rigidity compared to the previous generation. Toyota says the position of the hybrid traction battery was also moved to under the rear seat, yielding a lower center of gravity and a little more trunk space.
Toyota was recently in the Carlsbad, Calif., area of San Diego County for the first U.S. journalist drives of the 2023 Prius Prime PHEV and Corolla Cross Hybrid. Journalists had drive time along short routes in various trim levels of both vehicles. Soon, I will have more time for a proper review, but my time in the vehicles gave a good first-drive overview.
A leather-trimmed heated steering wheel in the entry SE model.
3 Cool Features
Traffic Jam Assist: For those on the daily commute of heavy traffic, Traffic Jam Assist can help take some of the stress from low-speed, stop-and-go driving. Here’s how it works: While driving on a highway with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane-Trace Assist activated, system sensors will detect when traffic is slowing. If operating conditions are OK, the assist system will provide acceleration, braking, and hands-free steering control under the active supervision of the driver. This system will only operate at speeds lower than 25 mph. The driver monitoring camera also must confirm the driver has their eyes on the road to allow for hands-free operation. The driver will get a prompt to resume control when traffic clears, or the speed drops below 25 mph.
Solar Roof: The 185-watt solar roof option ($640) can charge the drive battery incrementally while parked. Solar charging also supplies power to auxiliary functions while driving. Information about power generation is shown in the vehicle’s multi-information display.
Predictive Efficient Drive with Predictive Deceleration Support: This all-seeing system optimizes range by observing the driver’s stopping patterns on frequently driven routes. The system will then suggest when to let off the accelerator. Predictive Efficient Drive is a standard feature on all trim levels, but it requires a subscription for cloud navigation. The XSE Premium gets one free year of service, but the lower trim levels require an additional Drive Connect subscription.
XSE Premium 12.3-inch Touchscreen and JBL Premium Audio.
‘Sexy’ New Body Style
The new Prius Prime builds upon the foundation of the standard five-seat and front-wheel-drive gasoline-electric hybrid Prius sedan. The body is 2 inches lower, an inch wider, and an inch longer than the previous generation. The smooth, aerodynamic shape has a “hammerhead nose,” lower roofline, and widened rear.
Wheel sizes are also vital to efficient performance. The entry SE model has 17-inch wheels, which Toyota says yields 44 miles of battery-electric driving. Moving up to the Prius Prime XSE trim levels adds 19-inch wheels but drops the battery driving range to 39 miles.
Curb weights are up by about 100 to 200 pounds vs. the 2022 model, which affected fuel-economy ratings, too. The 2022 Prius Prime has mileage ratings of 55/53/54 mpg city, highway, and combined. Those estimates compare to the 2023 Prius Prime at 53/51/52 mpg city/highway/combined for the base model to 50/47/48 mpg for the mid and top-line models.
The previous Prius Prime also has a farther total driving range of 640 miles compared to 550 to 600 miles for the new model.
Despite the Prime’s sleek shape (Toyota calls it “sexy”), its drag coefficient is a couple of hundredths less efficient: 0.27 vs. 0.25 for the outgoing model.
SofTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats in the XSE Premium.
The Refined Prime Interior
Subtle elements of red and red ambient lighting enhance higher-quality materials in the cabin. The wider cabin benefits shoulder room by just over 1 inch and legroom stay the same at 43.2 inches. But the lower roofline trims the front headroom by 1.4 inches, which is notable in the cabin.
The driver position still has the same gauge-viewing complexity as the Prius hybrid. The more extended steering column and smallish gauge array with many details seem far away for easy viewing. However, there is a functional workaround with attention to seatback angle and steering-wheel height.
Back-seat space took a more significant trim of headroom, losing nearly three-quarters of an inch (now at 38 inches). Rear legroom grew by a noticeable 1.4 inches. With the lower headroom, however, the back seat is no place for large adults.
Trunk space increased, but by less than a cubic foot. But the wide and flat cargo capacity is very usable and expandable by the folding back seat for up to 26.7 cu. ft.
Back seat headroom and legroom are snug at 36.4 and 34.8 inches, respectively.
Plug-in Hybrid Powertrain
Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid powertrain pairs the M20A-FXS 2.0-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle gas engine with two motor generators (MG1 and MG2). The transmission is a planetary-type E-CVT, continuously variable automatic.
The engine works with the electric motor MG2 to drive the front wheels and to boost performance as needed. Both motors work to charge the lithium-ion battery.
Combined power from the gas engine (150 horsepower) and electric motors is 220 hp. When driving in Hybrid Mode, Toyota cites an estimated 0-60 acceleration in 6.6 seconds — compared to 10.2 seconds for the outgoing model.
More powertrain details are in the specifications chart below.
Toyota’s fifth-generation hybrid powertrain pairs the 2.0-liter four-cylinder gas engine with two motor generators (MG1 and MG2) through a continuously variable transmission.
Finessing the Power
The Prius Prime has three drive modes that allow drivers to finesse battery reserves or power: EV Mode, HV/EV Auto Mode, and Hybrid Mode.
EV Auto Mode — relies on the battery for driving around town.
HV/EV Auto Mode — the engine will engage where it is more efficient, such as up steep hills or at higher speeds.
Hybrid Mode —automatically switches between the gasoline engine and the electric motor.
There also are selectable performance modes of Eco, Normal, and Sport.
It will take about 11 hours to recharge the Prius Prime using a household outlet or four hours with a 240-volt Level 2 charger.
Charging at Home
There is no special equipment needed for home charging. The Prius Prime comes with a charging cable, but an optional 240-volt charging system will be quicker to recharge.
The battery will recharge on a standard 120-volt home outlet in about 11 hours. (Toyota recommends using a dedicated GFI 15-amp outlet). Charging with a 240-volt, Level 2 charger will take about 4 hours.
Can You Name The Safety Abbreviations?
Prius Prime’s standard safety features and technologies include eight air bags and:
TJA — Traffic Jam Assist;
SEA — Safe Exit Assist.
Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 includes:
PCS w/PD — Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection;
DRCC — Dynamic Radar Cruise Control;
LDA w/SA — Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist;
LTA — Lane Tracing Assist;
LCA — Lane Change Assist;
FCT — Front Cross Traffic Alert;
RSA — Road Sign Assist.
Star Safety System includes:
VSC — Enhanced Vehicle Stability Control;
TRAC — Traction Control;
ABS — Anti-lock Brake System;
EBD — Electronic Brake-force Distribution;
BA — Brake Assist;
SST — Smart Stop Technology;
AHB — Automatic High Beams;
PDA — Proactive Driving Assist.
19-inch Michelin Primacy all-season tires on the XSE model.
Ride and Handling
Improvements to the suspension, steering, and braking will make an immediate impression — and not just for owners of the prior-gen Prime.
There is complete smoothness to pedal response in regenerative braking, rather than a stop-start, on-off action. And the damping effect of the suspension has an almost-sporty feel. The steel-spring suspension eliminates the jounce and heavy feel of hefting a 3,500-pound small car. The hybrid battery weighs 284 pounds — just 19 pounds heavier — or 287 pounds with the solar roof.
Electric-assist steering has some actual road feel, and the sturdy, three-spoke wheel glides through the hands. Turning circles, however, are wider by a foot, now at 34.4 for the SE and 35.4 feet for the XSE.
More hardware stats are in the specs box below.
Trunk space is wide, flat, and expandable by the folding back seat for up to 26.7 cu. ft.
2023 Toyota Prius Prime Pricing
The redesigned 2023 Toyota Prius Prime is expected in dealerships next month, May 2023.
As before, there are three trim levels, renamed SE, XSE, and XSE Premium. And MSRPs are significantly higher than the outgoing model — by $3,580 for the SE, $5,050 for the XSE, and $4,620 for the XSE Premium.
2023 Prius Prime Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Prices:
SE $33,445;
XSE $36,695;
XSE Premium $40,265.
Retail prices include the $1,095 freight charge from the Tsutsumi Plant, in Aichi, Japan.
Check here for updated Prius Prime pricing and special offers.
For comparison, the Toyota 2023 Prius hybrid has starting prices across six trim levels in front- or all-wheel drive that range from $28,545 to $36,960.
2023 Prius Prime paint colors:
- Cutting Edge (light gray)
- Guardian Gray
- Midnight Black Metallic
- Reservoir Blue
- Wind Chill Pearl (white; $425 premium)
- Supersonic Red ($425 premium)
The clever side slot for phone charging on the center console.
Standard Features By Trim Level
SE equipment includes:
Dark gray 17-inch alloy wheels with wheel covers;
8-inch Toyota Audio Multimedia touchscreen;
6-way adjustable fabric front seats in black with red trim;
6 USB-c ports;
Electric parking brake;
Leather-trimmed heated steering wheel;
8 air bags and blind spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alert
Optional features include front and rear parking assist with automatic braking.
XSE equipment builds on SE features and includes:
Machine-finished 19-inch alloy wheels;
8-way adjustable heated power driver’s SofTex-trimmed seat. Black upholstery has red trim;
Smart key entry and push-button ignition;
Wireless phone charger;
Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking;
Available options include a 12.3-inch high-resolution touchscreen display, fixed glass roof, and Digital Key.
The XSE Premium layers onto the SE and XSE features, adding:
8-speaker, JBL Premium audio system;
12.3-inch touchscreen display;
The 185-watt solar roof option ($640) for the XSE Premium can charge the drive battery while parked. The solar charger also supplies power to auxiliary functions while driving.
Fixed glass roof;
SofTex-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats;
Power rear liftback;
Digital Key.
Available options include a Panoramic View Monitor, Digital Rearview Mirror, heated rear seats, and Advanced Park. The parking system helps the driver steer into a parking space, whether parallel or backing into a perpendicular space. A combination of cameras and sensors recognizes the vehicle’s surroundings.
The more polished and stylish 2023 Prius Prime has improvements in power, ride quality, and interior accommodations
2023 Toyota Prius Prime Specifications
Body style: compact, 5-seat, 5-door, front-wheel-drive plug-in hybrid sedan
Engine: 150-hp, Atkinson-cycle, 16-valve VVT-I 2.0-liter 4-cylinder; 139 lb.-ft. torque
Motor Generator 2: Drives front wheels, regeneration during braking: Permanent Magnet AC Synchronous, 160-hp, 120 kW
Combined system power: 220 hp
Transmission: E-CVT
Plug-in hybrid battery pack: 13.6 kWh (51 Ahr) lithium-ion
Battery weight: 284 pounds (287 with solar roof)
Onboard charger capacity: 3.5 kW
Charge times: Approximately 4 hours on 240 volts; 11 hours on 120 volt
Emission certification: SULEV30 with Transitional Zero Emission Vehicle (TZEV)
MILEAGE AND DRIVING RANGE
EPA estimated fuel economy ratings; 87 octane recommended:
SE — 53/51/52 mpg city/hwy/combined;
XSE, XSE Premium — 50/47/48;
EPA estimated MPGe (combined): 127 SE; 114 XSE, XSE Premium
Estimated total driving range: 600 miles SE; 550 miles XSE, XSE Premium
EV Driving Range (up to 84 mph): up to 44 miles SE; up to 39 miles XSE, XSE Premium
0-60 mph acceleration: 6.6 seconds, in Hybrid Mode
HARDWARE EQUIPMENT
Suspension: 4-wheel independent; front MacPherson struts with stabilizer bar; rear multi-link stabilizer bar;
Braking: four-wheel disc brakes with ABS; 12-inch ventilated front discs; solid 11-inch rear discs with integrated regenerative braking and Star Safety System;
Steering: electric power-assisted rack-and-pinion.
BY THE NUMBERS
Drag coefficient: 0.27 with 17-inch wheels
Fuel tank: 10.6 gallons
Cargo space: 20.3-26.7 cubic feet
Front head/leg room: 38/43.2 inches
Rear head/leg room: 36.4/34.8 inches
Length/wheelbase: 181.1/108.3 inches
Curb weights: SE 3,461 pounds; XSE 3,516 lbs.; XSE Premium 3,571
Turning circles: 34.4 feet SE; 35.4 feet XSE, XSE Premium
Where assembled: Tsutsumi Plant, Aichi, Japan
Warranties: 3-years/36,000-miles bumper to bumper; 5-years/60,000-miles powertrain; and 10-years/150,000-miles for the hybrid battery
