2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHEV - Re- Driven Review

Just one year into the Godfather of Green's fifth generation, the XW60 Toyota Prius Prime hatchback continues in its beauteous potent efficient ways.

Time spent with the re-thought 2023 Toyota Prius Prime XSE revealed a sleek new shape, nearly double the power of its predecessor.

To examine the virtues of fewer luxury features, improved aerodynamics, and lower price, Roadblazing.com jumped into the most affordable plug-in hybrid electric passenger vehicle in America arrived with meaningful pure battery electric range, the 2024 Toyota Prius SE PHEV.

NEW FOR '24:

• Occupant walk-away audible exterior melody
• Traffic Jam Assist (requires Connected Drive subscription)

2023 Toyota Prius Prime PHEV - Bottom Line Review

PRIOR PROGENY OF GREEN CAR STAID: The first three generations of 21st century Toyota Prius gas battery electric hybrids innovated as quenched humped desert ungulates for the highway, while deliberate as hard shelled amphibians and striking as grounded aviarians. Offering the two more recent generation Priuses [or is it Prii]

RoadBlazingGeorge Straton

CARRIED OVER, MOSTLY UNCHANGED:

• two row, compact hatchback, 5 occupant seating
• XW60 fifth generation model built on TNGA-C platform
• standard gasoline battery hybrid electric powertrain, direct shift continuously variable transaxle drivetrain, standard front wheel drive, optional plug-in hybrid electric powertain
  • NET HYBRID POWER: 220 hp (164 kW) / 139 lb-ft @ 4400 r.p.m.
  • TRACTION BATTERY: LiIon Polymer, 13.8 kWh capacity
  • FUEL ECONOMY: 52 m.p.g., 127 MPG-e
  • CHARGE TIME: 11 hours @ 110 VAC, 4.5 hours @ 220 VAC, 3.5 kW
• Front strut, rear four link control arm suspension + four wheel disc brakes, front vented.
• "Top Safety Pick" rated by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (2024 MY)
  • SafetySense 3.0, Star Safety, 8 airbags standard

BOTTOM LINE:

• $34,884 price, as tested 2024 Toyota Prius Prime SE PHEV in Reservoir Blue (from $34,070)
• 3 years / 36,000 miles bumper to bumper; 5 years / 60,000 miles drivetrain, 8 years /100,000 miles hybrid components, 10 years / 150,000 miles traction battery warranties, 2 years / 25,000 miles scheduled maintenance

LIKES ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME SE PHEV:

• Most affordable plug-in hybrid electric vehicle sold in the U.S.
• Sleek, teardrop shape of fifth generation Prius
  • Black fan blade aero 17" inch wheels
• Liftback cargo versatility
• Solid TNGA-C modular platform
• Precise panel fit; Padded material touch points; Red contrast panels & fabric stitching
• Quick entering the highway
• Smooth regenerative braking transition
• 110 pounds > 2023 Prius Prime XSE
• 52 M.P.G. observed ( 3 m.p.g > 2023 Prius Prime XSE)
• Mellowed taut road compliance
• Comprehensive advanced driver assist lane & distance control, vehicle & pedestrian avoidance braking
  • Sharp camera display
  • Front + rear parking assist, automated braking ($35 option on SE)
• Bi-LED headlights
• Fighter jet style full color 7.0" TFT instrumentation, physical soft touch climate controls, road noise hushed cabin
• 8.0" inch touch LCD infotainment display
  • Toyota Connected cloud navigation with Google Points of Interest (by subscription)
  • "Hey Toyota" wake-up phrase intelligent voice interaction
• Body cradling front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• Center console slot for wireless device
• Clear, if not thunderous, 6-speaker streaming audio system, HD radio
• Wireless Android Auto, Apple CarPlay phone app projection
• AC power outlets x 2 (cargo bay & Row 2)

NOT PREFERRED ABOUT THE 2024 TOYOTA PRIUS PRIME SE PHEV:

• Smaller 8.0" infotainment display (vs. 12.3" in Prius Prime XSE)
• Cloth seats, manual seat controls
• Headroom and cargo capacity < XW50 fourth generation Prius
• Petrol engine hybrid engagement noticeable
• Numb steering feel; Body roll entering corners hurriedly
• Funky 2nd Row door frame exterior latch release (NHTSA voluntary recall campaign 24V274000)