I first experienced the all-new Toyota Prius Prime around a year ago and was genuinely impressed. It offers an enjoyable driving experience, especially for a plug-in hybrid, and boasts remarkable fuel efficiency, particularly when you consistently recharge its battery.
I appreciated its distinctive aesthetics, a design that clearly identified it as a Prius yet set it apart as a unique model.
Recently, I had the opportunity to live with the Prime for a full week, and I’m here to share some everyday insights for those considering this vehicle as their next car.
Effortless Wall Jack Charging in Under 6 Hours
For me, a standout feature of the Prius Prime is its charging convenience. You don’t need specialized charging stations or upgraded wall jacks. Plugging it into a standard household outlet, the kind you’d use for appliances, is sufficient to fully charge it in less than 6 hours.
Toyota officially states a charging time of 5.5 hours for the Prime, but my experience consistently showed a time of 5 hours and 50 minutes when plugged in. Charging typically happened overnight, so I couldn’t precisely verify the actual duration.
It’s worth noting that the provided charging cord might be limiting in length. In my garage, it couldn’t reach a wall jack on the opposite side. After getting approval from Toyota, I used a heavy-duty 12-gauge extension cord, which worked perfectly for charging.
Alt text: 2017 Toyota Prius Prime plugged in for charging, showcasing the charging port location on the vehicle’s rear quarter panel.
Impressive 25+ Miles of Electric-Only Driving Range
I’m not known for gentle acceleration when driving. So, when Toyota advertised up to 25 miles of electric-only range on a full charge, I anticipated getting perhaps 15 to 20 miles in real-world conditions. However, my initial drive after a full charge involved about 10 miles of city driving with moderate stop-and-go traffic, driven with a somewhat light foot.
Then, I merged onto the highway and didn’t hold back on acceleration. To my surprise, I achieved closer to 30 miles in all-electric mode during that instance.
On another drive, solely on the highway at around 75 mph, the electric range was slightly less, but still comfortably within the 23 to 25-mile range. This was a pleasant surprise, exceeding initial expectations.
With more regenerative braking and less high-speed driving, I’m confident the Prius Prime can consistently deliver 25+ miles of pure electric range, making it ideal for daily commutes and errands.
Inconsistent Paired-Phone Audio Quality
My test week included a road trip from Chicago to Indianapolis, which meant numerous hands-free phone calls via the Bluetooth connection. I found myself frequently apologizing for what I perceived as a poor connection, but surprisingly, the people on the other end consistently asked, “What poor connection?”
My husband even rated the audio quality on his end a 7 out of 10 – a high score in his book, where perfection is rarely acknowledged.
This led me to believe the issue was on my end, specifically with the car’s audio output, not the call connection itself.
Phone pairing was seamless, and the microphone transmitting my voice seemed to function well. However, the incoming audio through the Prius Prime speakers was notably subpar, characterized by crackling and distortion.
The test vehicle was the base Plus model, lacking the premium JBL audio system. This likely contributed to the issue. The audio quality was so distracting that I resorted to using headphones for subsequent calls.
Unfortunately, the upgraded JBL premium audio is exclusively available on the top-tier Advanced trim, which comes at a higher price point of $33,100.
Alt text: Interior view of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime, highlighting the center console and infotainment system, relevant to audio discussion.
Subpar Standard Cargo Cover
The lightweight cargo area tonneau cover included as standard with the Plus trim is, frankly, underwhelming. It frequently came unbuttoned and tended to droop over items in the trunk. This made it obvious to anyone looking through the rear window that something was being concealed, a security concern, especially in urban environments where parking on the street is common.
Similar to the JBL audio system upgrade, a more substantial and secure cargo cover is only offered on the Advanced trim level.
Questionable “Toilet Bowl” Interior Accents
The Prius Prime boasts a distinctive and somewhat polarizing design, both inside and out. For the most part, I find it appealing.
The quirky and unconventional exterior styling is something I appreciate. Furthermore, the standard cloth seats are both durable and visually appealing, not to mention surprisingly comfortable. I also like the centrally mounted gauges positioned above the center console.
However, the white accents on the center stack and console are a major design misstep for me. They evoke an unfortunate resemblance to a toilet bowl. Once that image is in my mind, it’s hard to ignore.
Fortunately, a black applique accessory is available that effectively covers most of the white trim, significantly improving the interior aesthetics.
While not available on the Plus trim, this black applique is offered as an accessory starting with the mid-level Premium trim ($28,800) for an additional $199. This accessory covers both the shifter area and the lower console, offering a more refined look.
Alt text: Close-up of the 2017 Toyota Prius Prime dashboard and center console, focusing on the white accents criticized in the review, illustrating the “toilet bowl” analogy.
Generous Standard Features at Base Trim
The entry-level Prius Prime model, the Plus ($27,985), while considered the base trim, still offers a surprisingly comprehensive list of standard features. These include desirable amenities like heated front seats, integrated navigation, and the Toyota Safety Sense suite of safety technologies.
It also features convenient passive entry on the driver’s side and push-button start.
The test vehicle was further equipped with carpet floor mats and body side moldings, bringing the as-tested price to $28,418.
Final Verdict: A Solid Plug-in Hybrid with Trim-Dependent Tradeoffs
After spending 500 miles and six days with the Prius Prime, my positive initial impression remains. It’s comfortable for longer drives and provides ample power for merging onto highways and overtaking other vehicles.
During my test week, I only managed to charge the car three times, resulting in a combined fuel economy of 64 MPGe. With more consistent charging, the EPA estimates a significantly higher 133 MPGe.
The Prius Prime is generally quiet and smooth, making it an excellent choice for a daily driver.
While I appreciate the Prime even at its base level, for those living in urban areas or regularly parking outdoors, upgrading to the top-tier Advanced trim is highly recommended, primarily for the vastly improved cargo cover. However, at this higher trim level, you also gain access to features like intelligent park assist, a head-up display, a heated steering wheel, and the premium JBL audio system. In my opinion, the $5,000 price jump to the Advanced trim is justified by these valuable upgrades.
